Legion and Dingle must do it all again

SENIOR CUB FC FIRST ROUND Legion 2-14 Dingle 2-14 (AET)

A PRETTY pulsating encounter ended all square after extra time.

Viewed in the round a share of the spoils was probably a fair result given that very little separated the sides throughout and, while Legion enjoyed a greater share of territorial supremacy and created more clear cut scoring opportunities, Dingle, who were without the services of both Barry O’Sullivan and Cathal Bambury, could always rely on Paul Geaney to produce a moment of magic and he duly delivered in that respect, kicking some sublime scores from all angles and distances.

Indeed, he almost singularly kept his side afloat and, while James O’Donoghue was also influential at the other end, he enjoyed more support from the likes of Conor Keane and Tom Moriarty, while Jack O’Neill put in a huge shift in terms of his industry and endeavour all through.

The contest got off to a pretty explosive start with goals at opposite ends from James O’Donoghue and Paul Geaney inside the opening three minutes of play. Indeed, Conor Keane could well have scored a second Legion goal during this period, being denied by the crossbar, and, after Tom Moriarty and Conor Geaney with a free had swapped points at opposite ends, Legion who were much the livelier outfit during the initial stages were three points in front (1-4 1-1) after just eight minutes.

Certainly, they were dictating the trend of proceedings being particularly resolute in defence and resourceful in attack. A brace of pointed frees from Paul Geaney brought Dingle closer (1-4 1-3),and, indeed, he levelled matters in the twentieth minute after James O’Donoghue was wide with another goal chance after he had neatly manoeuvred himself into position.

For a period, Dingle exerted control and with Paul Geaney kicking some outstanding scores they led by three points (1-4 1-7) by the twenty sixth minute. Briefly matters tended to get out of control with a number of yellow cards being shown and, indeed, the colour could well have been of a darker shade on occasion.

Legion, after that early scoring surge didn’t register a score for all of twenty two minutes with James O’Donoghue’s pointed free in the thirtieth minute narrowing the gap to just two points (1-5 1-7) at the interval break.

The home side restarted with far greater urgency with Jonathan Lyne providing the impetus with some surging runs from deep. They carved open the Dingle defence with some defence splitting runs, but, their finish failed to match some excellent approach play.

However, they switched off in a sporadic Dingle raid, and a goal from Tomas Sheehy who coolly converted from close range, after Paul Devane had created the chance for him put the visitors firmly in the driving seat.

Despite some good scores from the extremely hard working Conor Keane Dingle retained their scoring advantage and were one goal clear (1-8 2-8) with ten minutes of normal time remaining.

However, a goal from a penalty from James O’Donoghue after Danny Sheahan was adjudged to have been fouled as he attempted to fist the ball over the bar levelled matters (2-8 2-8) with eight minutes of normal time remaining.

A debatable decision maybe, and it set the scene for a grandstand finish with the lead being exchanged on three more occasions before the end of normal time. Danny Sheahan powering forward from his full back berth looked to have kicked the winning score for Legion in the first minute of added time, but in one last attack Mikey Geaney saved the day for Dingle, coming in off the left wing and kicking an excellent equaliser (2-11 2-11) from a narrow angle.

The visitors dominated matters at the outset of the first period of extra time, but squandered three good scoring opportunities before Paul Geaney split the posts with a beauty from distance, followed by another from Matthew Flaherty.

Two points in front (2-11 2-13) going into the second period of extra time the pendulum had swung firmly in favour of Dingle. However, the admirable endeavour which had been a feature of Legion’s play for long periods resurfaced, and, they exerted a firm grip on proceedings once again, resulting in Denis Sheehan and James O’Donoghue with a free putting them back on level terms with three minutes remaining.

However, it looked as if they were going to lose out when Paul Geaney kicked another stunning score under pressure from distance.

As the clock ticked into added time Legion in one last offensive play were awarded a free on the forty five metre line. It afforded them the opportunity to salvage the situation, but, it certainly was a pretty difficult kick and doubly so given that the kicker Finbarr Murphy was only on the pitch for a few minutes having been introduced as a substitute.

However, he was well equal to the task, striking it sweetly off the ground for the equalising score. It was due reward for Legion’s efforts, as they certainly deserved another bite of the cherry at the end of a contest which was hugely exciting and entertaining, and was particularly notable for some superb individual scores.

LEGION: Brian Kelly, Sean Mc Carthy, Danny Sheahan. (0-1), Cathal Sheahan, Darragh O’Doherty, Denis Sheahan (0-1), Chris Davies, Billy McGuire, Shaun Keane, Jack O’Neill, Jonathan Lyne, Donal Lyne (0-1) James O’Donoghue (2-4; 1-0 pen, 0-3f) Conor Keane (0-4, 2f), Thomas Moriarty (0-2) Subs: Jamie O’Sullivan for S McCarthy, Alan Moriarty for D Lyne, Cian Gammell for J O’Neill, Finbarr Murphy (0-1free) for T Moriarty

DINGLE: Gavin H Curran, Tom Leo O’Sullivan, Conor O’Sullivan, Tom O’Sullivan, Matthew Flaherty (0-1) Patrick O’Connor, Aiden O’Connor, Michael Slattery, Darragh O’Sullivan, Paul Devane, Mikey Geaney (01) Padraig Sheehy, Conor Geaney (0-2f), Paul Geaney (1-9, 0-3f), Tomas Sheehy (11) Subs: Mikey Boyle for M Slattery, Mikey Boland for P Sheehy, Micheal Flannery for C O’Sullivan, Jaic O’Sullivan for A O’Connor, Mark Evans for T Sheehy, Garreth Hickey Brosnan for P Devane (B/C) REFEREE: Peter Lyons (Laune Rangers)