Taghmon on double
Over-35 Cup added to league title
DUNCANNON WAS the venue for the cup finals on Saturday, as the Over-35 season came to a close with the Shield and Cup finals.
Credit is due to Duncannon F.C. who pulled out all the stops in hosting the finals, with attractions for the children and the pitch in excellent condition thanks to the efforts of their groundsman, Joe Doyle.
Corach Ramblers 3, Fastnet Rovers 1: There was a cautious approach from both teams early on in the Shield final as they both enjoyed sustained spells of possession, but neither ‘keeper was overworked as chances were at a premium.
As the game settled down, Corach Ramblers started to gain some momentum.
This brief spell of dominance was rewarded on 20 minutes when David Currid found himself with time and space in the Fastnet penalty area and he made no mistake from close range to give Corach a deserved lead.
Soon after a snapshot from John Lowry was deflected over the bar, whilst Niall Murphy also had a good chance after being played through by Wayne Whitty but his shot was just wide.
With almost the last play of the half, a free-kick on the edge of the Fastnet penalty area was defended well and from the resultant breakaway, the ball found Oscar Pitt one-on-one with the Corach ‘keeper, and he coolly rounded him and slotted home to level up the game.
The second-half saw Corach with some good chances early on, with John Lowry, Paul Diskin, Alan Diskin and David Currid all spurning openings.
Fastnet always looked dangerous on the break and Jason Sinnott in the Corach goal had to be vigilant as he was called into action on more than one occasion. More chances followed from Corach as Paul Diskin and Wayne Whitty were again involved and it looked at this stage that they were the team in the ascendancy.
Soon after a penalty was awarded to Corach following a clumsy challenge on David Currid as he was about to shoot, and Alan Diskin stepped up to give them the lead.
As expected, Corach retreated for the final five minutes and were happy to allow Fastnet the ball in the midfield area and try to hit their opponents with counter-attacking football.
And it was from one of these counter-attacks that Corach were awarded a second penalty, when what seemed like a good tackle was deemed to be a foul following a consultation between the referee and the assistant, much to the consternation of the Fastnet players.
Jason McCutcheon stepped up this time to make it 3-1 to Corach Ramblers, and that’s how it stayed as soon after the final whistle sounded.
The silverware was presented to Corach captain, Alan Diskin, on behalf of the Dwyer family by Paul Dwyer, son of the late Richie.
Taghmon United 1, Campile United 0: The Cup final paired Taghmon United and Campile United together, and a close game was on the cards.
Taghmon were chasing the double having beaten Raheen in the league play-off the previous week, whilst Campile were determined that their names would be first to appear on the Over-35 Cup.
As expected, both teams were hesitant to commit men forward early on and it wasn’t until eight minutes in that the first real chance fell to Taghmon.
Some good work down the flank was spoiled when the cross was just over-hit and went wide with Jason McLoughlin having found a good position.
Campile were awarded a freekick in a dangerous position, but the shot from Alan Myler sailed over. Soon after an intercepted ball was played into Owen Barron’s path and as he bore down on goal, a fabulous tackle from Jimmy Doran kept the scoreline level.
Campile introduced Jim Wall soon after and this helped them get a foothold, giving them an outlet up front as Jim is always willing to chase down defenders, thus not giving Taghmon the time they like to build from the back.
It was a very even game now with Kieran Kelly and Alan Myler contesting the midfield area along with James Keating and Anthony Codd also having their own personal duels.
The introduction of Trevor Berry midway through the first-half proved a masterstroke though as his cross on 29 minutes found Kieran Kelly and his shot was pulled wide.
Just before the break however, Berry was on hand to poke home from close range following a break down the right.
A pinpoint ball was pulled back by Ian Stafford to Berry and he couldn’t miss, as Taghmon United took the lead.
Campile United were almost level two minutes into the second-half.
Jimmy Doran again came to Taghmon’s rescue as he cleared a Jim Wall goal-bound shot off the line.
As expected, Taghmon were happy to preserve what they had and Campile were having to force the issue.
Another Jim Wall effort was blocked by Derek Breen before Taghmon lost Malcom McLoughlin in the goal through injury, and Ian Stafford donned the gloves for the remainder of the game.
Francis Parle in the Campile goal was called into action soon after to deny Colin Bent, and from the breakaway Campile almost levelled it up through Daryl Thomas. With ten minutes to go an Alan Myler free-kick was deflected out for a corner from which ‘Dax’ Howlin headed over.
More Campile pressure followed as another shot was cleared off the line by Colin Bent and followed up by a fantastic save from Ian Stafford.
Campile were pushing hard for the equalising goal as they switched to a back three for the last five minutes in a desperate attempt to force the issue.
But with Ger Power and Jimmy Doran, Anthony Codd, Colin Bent and Kieran Kelly in the middle, Taghmon had sterling performers and these guys weren’t going to relinquish their grip on the cup at this stage.
As the game went into injury time, an Anthony Rowe ball to Jim Wall just wouldn’t sit right for Jim as it came off his shin and went just wide.
A foul on Colin Bent in injury time earned a yellow card for the Campile defender but the retaliation from the Taghmon player earned him a red.
The final whistle sounded moments later and Taghmon were the inaugural winners of the Over-35 Cup on a scoreline of 1-0.
Campile will be diassappointed as they did have enough to warrant a goal but Taghmon held out and have completed the league and cup double.
They will now be the team to beat in the 2018 competition.