Penalties heartbreak for Carrigaline lads
FAI/FAS CARRIGALINE……………………………. 3
FAI/FAS LIMERICK………………………………….. 3
(Limerick won 4-3 on penalties)
By Daire Walsh
Limerick sub Lee Kelly was the hero in Dalymount Park yesterday afternoon, as his decisive spot-kick helped FAI/FAS Limerick to record a thrilling 4-3 penalty shoot-out victory over FAI/FAS Carrigaline at the end of an enthralling Bobby Smith Cup decider, writes Daire Walsh.
In the conclusive stage of a competition participated by various FAI/FAS football courses across the country, striker Dean O’Brien edged Limerick in front on ten minutes.
Carrigaline were finding it difficult to make significant headway in the Limerick half of the pitch, and though left-winger Shane Spitere forced a fine fingertip save from Limerick custodian Barry Lynch after 23 minutes, the Treaty outfit held on to their one-goal cushion in time for the interval.
Carrig were still well in contention upon the resumption, and though Limerick looked like they might do enough to keep Carrigaline at bay until the end of normal time, the Cork men found themselves on level terms with 15 minutes remaining, as influential midfielder Alan O’Flynn rose highest to head past Lynch.
This set the game up for a gripping finale, but Carrigaline were galvanised by O’Flynn’s goal, and following excellent approach play by Kieran Kavanagh and Lazar Radulescu on 83 minutes, substitute Steve Mulryan curled an unstoppable shot from 18 yards past Lynch.
O’Brien forced the action into extra-time when he finished clinically to the Carrigaline net on 89 minutes.
Twenty minutes of extra-time were then needed to separate the two and though there were some tired bodies on display during the additional periods, Carrig regained control of the tie in extra time when O’Flynn grabbed his second of the game with a powerful 97th minute drive from distance.
This looked set to be the deciding score of the showpiece, but a miscommunication in the Carrigaline defence led to centre-half Vinny Lonergan heading past the advanced White following a long punt upfield by Lynch.
Carrigaline shootout misses by Colin Hart and O’Flynn paved the way for Limerick to seal the win.
FAI/FAS CARRIGALINE: Paul White; Yerick Kelly (Eric Hayes 91), Vinny Lonergan, Danny Aherne, Josh Cra; Kieran Kavanagh, Colin Hart, Alan O’Flynn, Shane Spitere; Lazar Radulescu, Daniel Santry (Steve Mulryan 72). Subs not used: S Hallahan, C Gould, S Long, D McSweeney, K Murphy.
FAI/FAS LIMERICK: Barry Lynch; Adrian Mitchell (Lee Kelly 90), Dermot Fitzgerald, Richard Harrison, Craig McMarlow; Ger Johnson (Liam O’Shaughnessy 34 (Eddie O’Neill 105)), Caolan O’Gorman (Darren Kelly 85), Adam Frahill, Daniel Fowler (Luke Hayes 85); Dean O’Brien, John Connery. Subs not used: Thomas O’Dwyer.