Mainebank finally seal the deal
TOMMY HEALY MEMORIAL CUP FINAL REPLAY
Mainebank 4 Killorglin 2
AFTER losing the Division 2B final a number of weeks ago Mainebank ended their season in a blaze of glory at Mounthawk Park on Monday evening when they were crowned Tommy Healy Memorial Cup Champions with a very impressive win over neighbours Killorglin.
The sides had played out a 2-2 draw on Friday evening, but Mainbank were much the better side in this replay and won the game very convincingly at the end. Part of Killorglin’s woes was self inflicted as after taking the lead early on they conceded a very soft goal which changed the game drastically.
The game got off to a lively start and Killorglin went ahead after six minutes. A period of pressure produced a corner kick which was delivered to the near post by Dillon Joy and a delicious glancing header by James Cunningham found the back of the net.
They were forced to make a substitution after this with Stuart Delaney picking up an injury and he was replaced by Dylan Carey. Mainebank were back on level terms in the 18th minute when a lack of communication at the back cost Killorgln dearly with a poor back pass dropped by the Killorglin goalie and the wily old fox Brendan Delaney took full advantage burying the ball in the back of the net.
The jitters hit the Killorglin defence shortly afterwards and an attempted clearance came off one of their own players conceding a corner kick, but luckily nothing transpired from it.
Mainebank had a great chance to take the lead in the 29th minute when a super over the top ball by John Lawlor put Colm O’Neill through on goals with only the keeper to beat but he shot wide from five yards with the goals at his mercy.
Still the game was wide open at 1-1 at hal ftime and Killorglin made two changes foe the second half with Jack O’Sullivan replacing Jerome Houlihan and Glen O’Sullivan coming on for Brendan Ahern.
Six minutes into the second half Mainebank went ahead when Colm O’Neill delivered a sublime through ball to Aaron O’Sullivan and he applied a great finish from close range.
Then Killorglin hit on the counter attack with Aidan O’Sullivan, and Jamie Cunningham combining to stretch the Mainebank defence and when O’Sullivan offloaded to Dillon Joy just outside the box his rasper of a shot was excellently saved by the Mainebank keeper Stephen Cahillane.
Then a shot from distance by John Lawlor was tipped over leading to a corner for Mainebank. This was delivered into the goalmouth by John Lawlor and when it was knocked down at the back post by Brendan Delaney James Long pounced to rattle the net and put his side in a comfortable position.
Killorglin almost pulled one back in the 80th minute, but Aidan O’Sullivan was denied by a good save by Stephen Cahillane in the Mainebank goals. However, they did give themselves a glimmer of hope three minutes later when Ryan O’Riordan found the net.
Now they put all their efforts into trying to secure an equaliser but they were caught on the break in the 88th minute with John Lawlor playing in Aaron O’Sullivan and he gave the Killorglin goalie no chance from close range.
It was an excellent all round display by Mainebank who defended brilliantly throughout the game and took most their chances when they got them.
MAINEBANK: Stephen Cahillane, Cian Flynn, Shane Prendiville, Luke Flynn, Ronan Sayers, Aaron O’Sullivan, Eoghan O’Connor, (Daniel Lawlor 87 min), John Lawlor, James Long, Colm O’Neill, (Colm Sheehan 92 min), Brendan Delaney, (Cillian Dowd 74 min)
KILLORGLIN B: Mike O’Grady, Jerome Houlihan, (Jack O’Sullivan 46 min), Paul Browne. Brendan Ahern, (Glen O’Sullivan 46 min), Sean Turner, Stuart Delaney, Ryan O’Riordan, Keith Curtin, James Cunningham, Aidan O’Sullivan, Dillon Joy
REFEREE: Eddie O’Mahony
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THE manager of the Mainebank side John Cahillane said he was delighted with his team’s performance.
“We knew from the drawn game that we would have to up our performance tonight and the lads rose to the occasion. We learned from our mistakes in the last game and we changed our game plan to try and frustrate our opponents and it worked.
“We were glad to come back from a goal down and go in level at half-time. It was a matter of putting our heads down after that and plough on. The two quick goals at the beginning of the second half put us in a comfortable position and we made sure after this to remain tight at the back.
“We were very creative throughout the game and defended very well when we had to. After the disappointment of losing the league final this is a great way to end the season with silverware in the bag.
“It has been a long season and we are now looking forward to a good break and getting ready to play in a higher division next season.”