Clarke the hero as Coolboy beat Gorey Rangers
COOLBOY RANGERS captured the Clarke Fuels Cup after extra-time in a battle with Gorey Rangers in Allen Park, Aughrim, this week in 2000.
Two goals from midfielder Aodhan Clarke were enough to secure the victory for the Coolboy men who were forced to come from behind against a spirited Gorey outfit.
Things had looked promising enough for the Co. Wexford side as they led by 1-0 with six minutes to go thanks to a Barry Levingston strike in the 13th minute of the game moments after Gorey goalkeeper Anthony Masterson (GAA readers will recognise that name!) had saved superbly from Peter Mulhall at the other end.
Coolboy almost hit back 10 minutes later when Paul O’Keeffe’s jinking run and shot grazed the outside of the Gorey Rangers post.
Just before the break, Gorey’s Phelim Gallagher shot wide when well placed.
Within minutes of the restart, PJ O’Keeffe missed the target after being set up by Donal Wafer and then Gerry Rawson then denied Stephen McLoughlin at the other end.
However, with six to go, up stepped Aodhan Clarke to grab and equaliser and send the game to extra-time.
A Peter Mulhall free landed in the Gorey area and Mulhall controlled and struck a volley past Gorey keeper Masterson from eight yards out.
The crucial score arrived six minutes into the first period of extra-time when a wayward Gorey pass saw Coolboy’s Andrew Nolan feed Clarke who burst past two defenders before hitting a stinging drive to the right-hand corner from just inside the penalty area.
Man of the Match: Kevin O’Keeffe. A class act in the Coolboy defence.
COOLBOY Rangers: Gerry Rawson, Sean Maher, Martin O’Keeffe, Kevin O’Keeffe, Aodhan Clarke, Donal Wafer, Paul O’Keeffe, Dermot Nolan, PJ O’Keeffe, Peter Mulhall. Subs: Andrew Nolan, Paddy Tighe, Seamus Kenny, Jim Rawson, Joseph Dempsey.
GOREY Rangers: Anthony Masterson, William Keogh, Noel Kenny, Jason Keogh, Derek Keegan, Ciaran Funge, Jim Shiggins, David Doyle, Barry Levingston, Phelim Gallagher, Stephen McLoughlin. Subs: Edward Kennedy, Matthew Cullen, Johnny Wynne, John Crowe, Stephen Waters. REFEREE: Damien Hillick ASSISTANTS: O Byrne, D Jameson.