Fairview Rangers celebrate U17 Cup final glory after nail-biting penalty shoot-out
Fairview defeated Holycross 4-3 on pens after sides finished tied 1-1 after extra-time
Under-17 Premier Cup Final:
Holycross 1 Fairview Rgs 1 (Fairview won 4-3 on pens, aet)
THE Under-17 Premier Cup needed penalty kicks to separate two well matched opponents when Fairview Rgs edged out Holycross at local headquarters on Wednesday evening.
The two sides met on three occasions going into the tie and on each occasion, there was little between the sides. Not surprisingly, the opening half saw two sides determined not to make mistakes, meaning real openings were at a premium.
Chad Molloy volleyed just over the Holycross crossbar and Zac McInerney got on the end of Molloy’s cross but headed just wide of target.
At the other end Conor Hayes sent a free kick into the ‘View danger zone and an outstretched Michael Hanly missed by inches.
The game opened up slightly after the break with McInerney trying his luck from distance but goalkeeper McAteer went full length to turn the ball away.
A clever touch by Eamon Doyle put the speedy Pedro Ubah in on goal but keeper McAteer was out sharply to block the effort.
Evan Martin crossed for Michael Hanly to volley on goal but Dion Begley saved well and the Fairview keeper was called upon again minutes later back peddling to keep the ball out when Martin’s cross cum shot looked like breaking the deadlock.
With 20 minutes remaining, a good run by James McCarthy created an opening for Barry but his shot was inches over the bar.
Holycross broke the deadlock five minutes later. A free on halfway by Hayes into the area saw Rory Hanly, who was excellent all evening, get the vital touch to beat Begley.
It looked like that would be enough to give ‘Cross the victory but with two minutes remaining, Eamon Doyle delivered a teasing corner kick and McInerney rose highest to head a super goal to level the tie.
The same player nearly won it in normal time when his shot from distance nearly dipped under the crossbar.
Extra-time failed to separate the sides with cramp having a big effect on both sides so penalties followed where the Blues kept their nerve to be crowned champions.
Fairview Rgs: Dion Begley; Darren Whelan; Sean Potter; David Lynch; Jack McMahon; Cian Walsh; Chad Molloy; Tom Curran; Eamon Doyle; Pedro Ubah; Zak McInerney. Subs: Callan Barry; Aaron McNamara; Sean Dunphy; Darren Keogh; Rian Hartery; Tiernan Kelly.
Holycross: J McAteer; J O'Shea; B Gubbins; C Shanahan; Rory Hanly; Evan Martin; Conor Hayes; Michael Hanly; Cian McNamara; James McCarthy; Devon McNamara Leamy. Subs: Bryan Nagy; D Barry; C Reardon; S Hayes.