Super-subs send North End to Aviva
Sky Blues reach FAI Junior Cup final
NORTH END United are heading to the Aviva Stadium for a New Balance FAI Junior Cup final meeting with Pike Rovers after a stunning late revival saw them overcome a shell-shocked St. Michael’s outfit in Cooke Park in Tipperary town on Saturday.
The Sky Blues trailed to a 41st-minute goal from Joey Mulcahy and looked to be on the way out of the competition as the clock ticked towards the 90-minute mark, but late goals from substitutes Paul Murphy (Kilmore) and Adam Beary saw them snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
St. Michael’s, who last won the FAI Junior Cup in 2014, were on top in the first-half and the impressive Jimmy Carr forced goalkeeper Lee Walker into a smart save on 15 minutes.
North End had to defend in numbers and did a good job of keeping the St. Michael’s attack at bay, although danger man Carr again threatened on the half hour mark, with his angled drive from 20 yards fizzing narrowly wide.
Five minutes later Carr was again in the thick of the action, with Walker doing well to save his shot from the edge of the penalty area.
St. Michael’s, who have a 100 per cent record in this season’s Tipperary South & District League, did make the breakthrough on 40 minutes and when the goal came it was laced with good fortune.
Joey Mulcahy’s fierce 25-yard free-kick took a wicked deflection off the North End wall and completely wrong-footed goalkeeper Lee Walker.
North End, who were missing Shane Dempsey and Lee Smith who are on overseas duty with the army, and Andy Moore through suspension, weren’t willing to give up their dream of reaching the Aviva without a fight though and went on the front foot after the interval to try to claw their way back into the game.
Kyle Dempsey was the first to try his luck in the second-half, with his effort from 25 yards narrowly off target, while Paul ‘Spot’ Murphy headed over from a corner on the hour mark.
However, John Godkin’s side had a major escape on 68 minutes when Lee Walker made a fine reflex save from Colin Bargary from seven yards out, and the follow-up effort was cleared off the line.
North End made the most of the let-off and really upped the pressure in the final 20 minutes, and Paul ‘Spot’ Murphy’s fierce, swerving drive from 25 yards was parried by St. Michael’s goalkeeper Adrian Walsh.
With 15 minutes remaining Walsh was forced into a double save from close range, first denying Jason Murphy and then Kyle Dempsey, with substitute John Fenlon hitting the rebound wide from six yards.
North End didn’t let their heads drop after missing a gilt-edged opportunity to draw level, as instead they pushed forward in droves and started to ask serious questions of the St. Michael’s defence.
They got their reward with five minutes remaining, when Paul ‘Spot’ Murphy whipped a free-kick into the area and his namesake, substitute Paul Murphy (Kilmore), fired home from close range, following a defensive mix-up.
The celebrations had barely died down, and with extra-time looming North End amazingly grabbed the winner, with substitute Adam Beary clinically finding the net from 18 yards.
North End negotiated the remaining two minutes without any goalmouth scares and the referee’s final whistle sparked wild celebrations among the Sky Blues faithful. The final against Pike Rovers is in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, May 12.
ST. MICHAEL’S: Adrian Walsh, Chris Higgins, Paul Breen, Jonathan Kennedy, John O’Brien, Colin Bargary, Richard Ryan, Shane Ryan, Jimmy Carr, Joey Mulcahy, David Slattery. Subs. - Luke Quinn, James Walsh, Oliver O’Driscoll, Alan O’Donnell, Derek Breen, Rodrigo Goulaves, Pat Quinn.
NORTH END UNITED: Lee Walker, Warren Broaders, Declan Downes, Gary Delaney, Dale Flynn, Kyle Dempsey, Lee Wadding, Robin Dempsey, Keith Kearney, Paul ‘Spot’ Murphy, Jason Murphy. Subs. - Adam Beary for R. Dempsey (HT), John Fenlon for Wadding (65), Gary Byrne for Kearney (70), Paul Murphy (Kilmore) for Broaders, also Tony Crosbie, Danny Fitzpatrick, Dylan Owens.