Regional United celebrate Tuohy Cup final win over Aisling Annacotty

TUOHY CUP FINAL:

Regional Utd 3 Aisling Annacotty 1

REGIONAL United picked up the first silverware of the season when they etched their name on the Tuohy Cup for the second time in their history following a 3-1 win over Aisling Annacotty on Saturday evening.

The Dooradoyle club came out tops in a highly entertaining encounter and it was fitting that they were led by captain Kieran O’Connell, who missed out on the club's last success in 2008.

The sides met in the league a few weeks back and a 1-1 draw suggested we were in for a tight affair but United were pumped up for the tie and their intensity seemed to catch Aisling off guard.  

They didn’t give their opponents a second on the ball and everyone bought into the game plan.

Their back four were immense against one of the trickiest attacks in the league.

You got what you expect from veteran defenders Tom Frawley and Andrew Cowpar while the younger Jack O'Donovan is like a sponge picking up the best bits from their experience.

Ewan O'Brien and Kieran O'Connell were superb while two goal Isak Lynch and man of the match Muhsin Jelle created havoc for Aisling.

Niall Byrnes' side will be bitterly disappointed to have fallen at the final hurdle. They were caught off guard early on and thereafter struggled to break down their opponents.  

Their midfield dynamo Tom Kidd started after injury and was not his usual dominant self before hobbling out of the action in the second half.  

Joey Rushe never gave up the ghost with contact pressing while Adam Foley and Joel Coustrain always looked dangerous in possession but more often than not, they were swamped once in possession. Likewise, Conor Coughlan who always seemed to have at least two players closing him down.

Ironically, Regional have often been criticized for unnecessary overpassing but on the night, they perfected the art of the quick ball forward leading to crucial scores.

With the exception a 40-yard effort by Kieran O’Connell, that was easily handled, neither keeper was overly tested in the opening quarter.

However, on 22 minutes, Adam Fitzpatrick passed to Muhsin Jelle on half way and the speedy winger took off on a run, past two defenders, into the box before shooting across keeper, Alan Kiely into the far corner of the net to put United on their way.

The lead was doubled on the half hour mark. Jelle intercepted the ball on half way and his quick through ball sent Kieran O’Connell clear. Kiely made a fine save but the rebound fell to Isak Lynch on the edge of the area who calmly guided the ball into an empty net.

Aisling were rattled and could have conceded again just before the break when a long kick out by Adam Brennan saw the ball over the defence as Kieran O’Connell raced through but a fine save by Kiely kept the deficit to two.

Aisling improved after the restart and the first time Joel Coustrain got free his shot on goal was blocked by the speedy Joe Lavan. The same player came to Regional’s rescue minutes later when he deflected Aadam Costello’s shot outside the post.

Once Regional weathered the Aisling surge they started to regain control and Lynch was unlucky with a looping header that fell just over the post.

With time running out, Aisling were thrown a lifeline when a good cross by Willie Armshaw was headed to the edge of the box where Coughlan volleyed home a superb goal.

With five minutes injury time remaining we expected Aisling to pour forward but it was Regional who had the final say. Another long ball, Ewan O’Brien’s volley over the defence sent Jelle clear and he took the ball wide of the advancing keeper before delivering an inch perfect pass for Lynch to tap home and let the celebrations begin.

Regional Utd: Adam Brennan; Tom Frawley; Andrew Cowpar; Jack O'Donovan; Sean Oyibo; Adam Fitzpatrick; Ewan O'Brien; Joe Lavin; Kieran O'Connell; Isak Lynch; Muhsin Jelle. Subs: Paudie Hartigan; Andy Quaide; Declan Cusack; Marcus Hogan; Adam Keating; David Cowpar; J Curtin.

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