Cup final wins for The Park U17s and Killorglin
Killorglin 4 Castleisland B 1
AFTER their B team losing two finals already this season Killorglin’s senior squad made it third time lucky at Mounthawk Park when they were crowned Dominos Pizza Reserve Cup Champions after an impressive win over Castleisland in a very entertaining replay
The Launesiders felt they left the drawn game behind them after enjoying such a great first half in that game, but they came through in emphatic fashion on this occasion.To be fair Castleisland were missing a number of players from the drawn game, but they put up their usual fighting performance and yet came off second best on this occasion.
Killorglin began brightly getting their passing game together at midfield while up front Lee Carey and Dylan O’Sullivan were giving the Castleisland defence a torrid time with their pace, skill, and intensity difficult to contend with.
They covered every blade of grass on the pitch coming back to perform defensive duties when required and they chased every ball as if their lives depended on it.
Killorglin went ahead in the fifth minute when Lee Carey put Ryan Keane through on goals with a superb through ball and he applied a fantastic finish.
Kevin Moran was the busier goalkeeper and he made a fantastic save in the 13th minute to deny Sean Costello a certain goal stretching full length to push the ball around the post. When the corner was sent right into the goalmouth by Lee Carey he was in charge again making a great fisted clearance.
Killorglin were only a whisker away from doubling their lead when Paul McKenna found Lee Carey with a great ball and he lobbed the ball over the advancing goalie and to Castleisland’s relief Niall Barret got back to take the ball off the line and prevent a certain goal.Shane O’Loughlin had to go off for Castleisland in the 33rd minute with a head injury and he was replaced by Thomas Lynch.
Just before half time Castleisland put a good attack together and when a Pa O’Rourke cross was headed out by Edwin Kelliher sub Thomas Lych met it on the volley just outside the box and it went like a rocket over the top.
Killorglin looked comfortable enough at half time but they knew they needed another goal to give them some breathing space. Castleisland forced a corner early in the second half which was taken by Ethan O’Connor and it was cleared by a great defensive header by Edwin Kelliher.
Killorglin doubled their lead in the 54th minute after the unfortunate Dylan Curtin misjudged the ball just outside the box and Lee Carey was on to it in a flash and he applied a superb finish.
True to their nature Castleisland dug deep and began to apply a period of pressure. Their break came in the 69th minute when Ben Cooney was pushed over in the box and Eddie O’Mahony immediately pointed to the spot. Danny Feehan drilled his shot low to the bottom corner and now Castleisland’s tails were up. However, the comeback was short-lived as Killorglin immediately hit on the break with Sean Costello playing in Dylan O’Sullivan and when he was taken down inside the box the referee was pointing to the spot again.
Paddy Collins gave the goalie no chance with a sublime finish from 12 yards. Killorglin put the game to bed in the 84th minute when Lee Carey won a ball he had to put in a lot of effort to get and cutting in from the byline he spotted the run of Dylan O’Sullivan and his shot went in off the butt of the post.
It was a very good all round performance by Killorglin who will be delighted to finish the season with a trophy in the bag.
There was great scenes of celebration as the captain of the winning team Paddy Collins was presented with the cup by KDL secretary John O’Regan.
KILLORGLIN: Tony Lyons (Brian O’Sullivan, 90 min), Gary Flynn (Pa Knightley, 58 min), Edwin Kelliher (Ricky Flaherty, 86 min), Brendan Breen, Paddy Collins, Audie Dunlea, Paul McKenna (Mike Carey, 86 min), Sean Costello, Ryan Keane, Lee Carey, Dylan O’Sullivan
CASTLEISLAND B: Kevin Moran, Niall Barret, Ger Byrne, Dylan Curtin, (Josh Horan, 66 min), Evan O’Brien (Padraig O’Connor 60 min), Shane O’Loughlin (Thomas Lynch, 33min), Pa O’Rourke, (Tim O’Donoghue, 66 min), Ethan O’Connor (Lee O’Connor, 74 min), Ben Cooney, Danny Feehan, Damien Feehan
REFEREE: Eddie O’Mahony