Real Tubber do the double
THE final of the Northwest Hospice Shield took place on Saturday night at the Ray MacSharry complex Cranmore between Division One Winners Real Tubber and MCR.
The game had all the ingredients of a cracker and so it proved to be. Both sides with fast attacking players opened the game at a high tempo. MCR back line with goal keeper Tony Clarke, John McLoughlin, Barry O’Sullivan, Bart Folan and Glen Hargadon were rock solid as Real Tubber pushed forward. Peter Wynne, Jack Walsh, Matthew Mulhern and Fabio Cretaro were all on the hunt for goals. Eventually on thirty- three minutes Real Tubber struck when Matthew Mulhern lashed home the opener, Real Tuber went for the jugular and five minutes from half time Fabio Cretaro could not believe his goal bound effort was finger tipped onto the crossbar with a brilliant reflex save for Tony Clarke in the MCR goals. Real Tubber conceded a corner with two minutes of the first half remaining and as so often this season Joe Cobbe was on hand to score at the near post giving Real Tubber keeper Richie Wynne no chance so at half time it was all to play for.
Real Tubber got stuck in from the whistle with Dylan Henry and Alan Henry solid alongside Joe Moran and Kacper Konczak pushing their midfield forward. That allowed Gerry Perry and Martin Mulvaney more creative scope in midfield. Their efforts were rewarded ten minutes into the second half when Jack Walsh blasted Real Tubber into the lead, MCR fought back with Gary Funston, Paul Baker and Faith Hamini pushing on in midfield and ace scorer Stephen Hallahan and Dario Williams raiding on the flanks. Yet once again it was Real Tubber who struck the decisive goal. The ball was fired into the MCR six- yard area and Jason Perry reacted quickest to fire home what well may prove the killer goal and Real Tubber were looking at the double.
Nine minutes from time and Jack Walsh had them rocking in Tubbercurry when he fired home the fourth for a now rampant Real Tubber and the celebrations were starting. Further woe was added late in the game when MCR James Cullen was sent off after an over zealous challenge that also gave Real Tubber a penalty. Gerard Perry stepped up and hammered home the spot kick that wrapped up the double for a jubilant Real Tubber. MCR FC: T Clarke J Mc Loughlin B O Sullivan B Folan G Hargadon G Funston P Baker F. Hamini J Cobbe S Hallahan D Williams C Harvey J Cullen N Mc Leish K Loftus. REAL Tubber: R Wynne D Henry A Henry J Moran Kacper Konczak M Mulvaney G Perry P Wynne J Walsh M Mulhern F Cretaro M Burke John O Hara J Perry R Bailey S Keyes O Killoran M Skeffington REFEREE T Egan Linesmen G Gilmartin and Colm Gunning.
Ballisodare United advanced to the Radisson Blu W B Yeats Cup final with a 3- 1 win in a thrilling encounter against Leitrim kingpins Manor Rangers.
A tight opening period saw both teams cancel each other out before the Leitrim side hit the front. On the 29 minute mark a fantastic cross from a corner was met with a bullet header from Niall Walsh, 1- 0 Manor Rangers.
Ballisodare struggled to break down a well organised Manor side who themselves threatened on the counter attack and with the use of missile like long throws.
The ever- dangerous Manor striker Seamus Ryder saw a header the bar and Ballisodare were relieved to be only 1- 0 down at half time.
Ballisodare came out sharpest in the second half and Andrew Patton levelled matters on the 64th minute when he cut in from the right and struck a left footed shot into the far corner, 1- 1.
The young Ballisodare team were growing in confidence and under 17 player Darren Somers was sprung from the bench.
The young man grabbed the opportunity in the 86th minute.
A Keith Gilmartin shot was blocked only for Somers to pounce to score his first senior team goal.
Ballisodare put the tie to bed in the 89th minute.
Adam McGoldrick burst through the Manor Rangers’ defence and calmly slotted home past the keeper to make in 3- 1 Ballisodare United.
That’s how the game ended and the final will pit Ballisodare United against Carbury FC in what should be a thrilling affair on Saturday at 5pm in Ray MacSharry Park.