Slane spot-on in exciting Tailteann Cup showpiece
EXPECTATIONS that Slane can put back-to-back championships together will have heightened following this exciting Tailteann Cup final win at Masterson Park, Ardcath, last Wednesday evening.
There was drama aplenty after the sides finished level at 1-7 each at the end of normal time and when they couldn’t be separated following an additional 20 minutes, the contest had to be decided on penalty kicks.
It was there that last year’s junior B champions, Slane, held their nerve and composure as Éanna Mooney, Eoin Feeley, Ethan Harding and Kevin Dunne all converted from the spot. Slane ’keeper Braydon Colfer saved Michael McIvor’s spot-kick, while Gary Tuite saw his effort go wide of the target.
The eventual winners trailed for long spells and, indeed, were second best for the best part of the 80 minutes. The hosts made a very positive start to proceedings and raced into the lead when Ryan Hand converted from the penalty spot following a foul on Adam Tuite. McIvor, who played a starring role throughout at midfield, added to the St Vincents’ tally with a brace of points inside 10 minutes.
Slane hit four wides and had to wait until Colfer converted a 45 to get them off the mark after 20 minutes. Slane improved after that and Matt Tully blasted over the crossbar when his effort could easily have gone under it.
HOSTS AHEAD
Oisín Mooney added to the Slane tally in between two efforts from Gary Tuite to leave it 1-4 to 0-3 in favour of the hosts at half-time.
St Vincent’s hit three wides at the start of the second half before Tuite extended their lead on 33 minutes. A foul on Matthew Kealy resulted in a black card for St Vincents’ Paddy Arnold as Kealy pointed the resultant free-kick.
Then came a pivotal moment as a high ball from Tully into the danger area fell kindly for Mooney and he slotted to the net. It was Mooney’s first touch after been introduced as a substitute.
Despite that setback, St Vincent’s managed to lead by three heading into the final 10 minutes. However, Slane finished much the stronger of the two sides and substitute Conor Forde reduced the deficit before captain Alan Harding left the minimum between the sides with five minutes remaining.
Tuite had a great chance to seal the victory for the home side but with a goal for the taking, he lost his footing as he shot and the ball rolled harmlessly wide. It was another sub, Tadhg Martyn, who slotted over the equalising score on 58 minutes and after Martin Fox saw his effort for a point hit an upright, proceedings went to extra-time.
Slane hit the front for the first time in the opening half of additional time when Mooney pointed from a mark. McIvor restored parity before Forde again shot Slane in front. However, the teams were level at 1-9 each following a Tuite point as they changed ends for the final time.
Points by Tuite, McIvor and Fox left St Vincent’s three clear with the end in sight but Slane responded with a great counter-attack and Peter Martyn was on hand to shoot the equalising goal. Both sides had chances to win it after that but it was Slane who made no mistake in the penalty shootout.
ST VINCENT’S: Evan Connor; Conor White, Davy Tallon, Mark Crawley; Barry O’Sullivan, Ryan Hand 1-0 (1-0 pen), Gary Tuite 0-4 (2f); Robert Tallon, Michael McIvor 0-4 (2f); Paddy Arnold, Conor O’Brien, Nigel Hand 0-2 (2f); Adam Tuite
0-1, Stefan O’Neill, Patrick McGill. Subs: Conor Harford for O’Neill (40), Niall Tallon for Arnold (47), Martin Fox 0-1 for R Tallon (55), Dylan Kavanagh for McGill (60).
SLANE: Braydon Colfer 0-1 (1 45); Evan Murray, Jim Marry, Jonathan McDonagh; Eoin Feeley, Kyle Tallon, Seán Martyn; Cillian Gough, Peter Martyn 1-0; Seán Murray, Oisín Mooney 0-1, Matthew Kealy 0-1 (1f); Daniel Carolan, Alan Harding 0-1, Matthew Tully 0-1. Subs: Tadhg Martyn 0-1 for Carolan (20), Ben McDonagh for S Martyn (20), Francis Marry for Gough (35), Eanna Mooney 1-1 (0-1m) for P Martyn (47), Conor Forde 0-2 (1f) for Tallon (47), Ethan Harding and Kevin Dunne (both ET).
REFEREE: Andrew Lenehan (St Patrick’s).