Aisling Annacotty book Tuohy Cup final spot with victory over Fairview Rangers

TUOHY CUP SEMI-FINAL:

Aisling Annacotty 2 Fairview Rgs 1

AISLING Annacotty qualified for the final of the Tuohy Cup when they beat Premier League leaders Fairview Rgs at Jackman Park on Thursday evening.

It was a brave performance by the winners. Having to field without Conor Carew, Leon Daly and both goalkeepers Stephen McNamara and Josh Coady, the Annacotty side lost Willie Armshaw in the pre-match warm up and their midfield general Tom Kidd to a first half injury.  

Despite these set backs the team put in a brave performance and weathered some serios Fairview pressure late in the game to progress.

Having gone behind 2-0 , Fairview pulled one back and had a number of chances to level but it was one of those nights for the Blues, where the bounce didn’t go their way.

Aisling started well and had the first chance when Adam Foley picked out Adam Costello in the area but the latter’s shot was over the top.

At the other end Brian Aherne played Darragh Rainsford in on goal but youth keeper Alan Kiely, on his debut, made a stunning save to keep the tie scoreless.

Aisling took the lead three minutes before half time from a spot kick. Eliah Riordan’s clearance was flicked on by Costello for the on running Paul Brennan who was taken down by ‘View keeper Josh McCarthy and Joel Coustrain converted the resultant penalty kick.

Aisling doubled their lead ten minutes after the restart. Riad Mouras won the ball in midfield and his ball forward caught the ‘View defence on the hop and Costello was in like a flash to blast the ball home.

Fairview pulled one back five minutes later when Oleg Vysochan headed the ball back across goal for Rainsford to finish to the net.

It was all Fairview thereafter as they chased the equaliser. Substitute Tom Kelly made a crucial block to deny Shane Duggan and minutes later Rainsford uncharacteristically missed from close range from Adam Dore’s set up.

Rainford saw a header rebound off the crossbar and late in the game Kelly came up with another crucial block to deny Cian McNamara.

For their reward, Aisling will meet Regional United in the decider.

Aisling Annacotty: Alan Kiely; Adam O'Regan; Joey Rushe; Eliah Riordan; Ciaran Jennings; Tom Kidd; Theo Joyce; Paul Brennan; Adam Foley; Joel Coustrain; Adam Costello. Subs: Raid Mouras; Tom Kelly

Fairview Rgs: Josh McCarthy GK; Danny O'Neill; Blake Curran; Jason Cross; Jake Dillon; Jeffery Judge; Shane Carmody; Josh McCarthy; Darragh Rainsford; Oleg Vysochan; Brian Aherne. Subs: Adam Dore; Cian McNamara; Conor Kavanagh; Gbadebo Habideen; Shane Duggan