Coonagh Utd B spot on to edge Ballynanty B in Limerick District League Lipper Cup final

LIPPER CUP DIVISION 2A CUP FINAL:

Coonagh Utd B 2 Ballynanty Rvs B 2
(Coonagh won 9-8 on pens aet)

IT WAS drama all the way in the Lipper Cup final on Sunday morning when Coonagh caused a huge surprise when they defeated Ballynanty Rvs on a marathon penalty shoot-out after the sides finished 2-2.  

Balla were aiming to complete a treble having already captured the League and Ger Ryan Cup and few gave Coonagh any real chance coming into the tie.

However, Paul Scallan’s men had different ideas and from the off they made their intentions clear.

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In the opening minutes Ger Hodkinson delivered to the back post where brother James volleyed just wide of goal.

It looked like the game might be going to script when Hodkinson after 12 minutes. Former Coonagh schoolboy players Jamie O’Sullivan and Kevin Nolan combined for the latter to put the ball on a platter for Wesley Mulqueen to provide the finishing touch.

Coonagh didn’t panic as they settled back into the game and had a chance to equalise before the break when the industrious Aodhan Keane caused panic in the Balla defence and was only denied by Calum Walters last gasp intervention.

After the restart Ryan Earls pounced on a loose ball but his volleyed effort was saved by Dylan Cronin in the Coonagh goal.
Coonagh got back on level terms minutes later. Ralph Leonard id well on the right and his ball across goals was knocked in by the inrushing Ger Hodkinson.

Balla found it hard to get their game going but the goal seemed to spark a reaction as Jamie O’Sullivan volleyed into the side netting before David Donnan nearly benefited from a deflection but the ball rolled agonisingly wide.

With the game heading for extra time a challenge on O’Sullivan in the box was deemed foul and a disputed spot kick followed. However Derek Daly’s effort struck the crossbar so we had extra time.

Coonagh took the lead in the first period with an excellent goal. Mark Moylan’s quick reaction saw him head in behind the Balla defence and Ralph Leonard showed good strength to hold off two defender and volley over the advancing keeper for a superb goal.

Leonard nearly won it minutes later when he pounced on a moment’s hesitation between defender and Keeper but was unable to provide the finish.

With a minute left tom play Balla were awarded a corner kick from which Grant Murphy’s delivery was knocked in at the back post by Ken Meehan.

The resultant penalty shoot-out was a drama in itself. All 11 players on each side took a kick before the issue was decided.
Coonagh squandered a chance to win it after five. Then Balla thought they had won it before being called back to take again as the officials deemed the keeper had moved off the line.

Coonagh made no mistake with the reprieve and Liam Kelly struck the winner.

Coonagh Utd B: Dylan Cronin; Alan Finnegan; Rory Barry; Paul Considine; Cathal McMullen; Liam Kelly; James Hodkinson; Ralph Leonard; Darragh Cunningham; Aodhan Keane; Ger Hodkinson. Subs: Jeff Ryan; Brian Buckley; Ian Barrett; Theo Egan; Mark Daly; James McInerney; Mark Moylan.

Ballynanty Rvs B: Ger Meehan; Calum Waters; Lee Boyle; Lee Ryan; Ryan Earls; David Donnan; Jamie O'Sullivan; Jack O'Callaghan; Wesley Mulqueen; Kevin Nolan; Derek Daly. Subs: Eddie Radcliffe; Ronan Ryan; Dean Cronin; Grant Murphy; Ken Meehan.