Fairview Rangers edge past local rivals Geraldines to claim Tuohy Cup final win

TOUHY CUP: 

Fairview Rangers 2 Geraldines 1

FAIRVIEW Rgs captured the Tuohy Cup on Monday evening following a hard earned 2-1 win over neighbours Geraldines at Jackman Park.

The victory ended a 23 year wait for the trophy to return to the Fairgreen but they had to battle for the win against a dogged Geraldines XI.

Fairview entered the fray as strong favourites and kicked off as expected but Geraldines were frustrating the Blues.

The first real threat came after twenty minutes when Oleg Vysochan whipped a ball across the danger zone where Yoyo Mahdy’s snap shot flew inches wide.

Five minutes later Cian McNamara’s goal bound shot beat Dines keeper Jose Zaquieu, but defender Jack O’Doherty was on hand to clear off the line.

At the other end Leon Johnson created an opening for Tony Mambuana but he shot just wide of goal.

It looked like Geraldines had taken care of the first half threat but disaster struck three minutes from the whistle.

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Danny O’Neill’s long throw-in was flicked on by Jeffery Judge and Cian McNamara pounced to fire in from eight yards.

Geraldines suffered another blow at half time when David Power was unable to resume and they were under pressure from the off.

The winners struck a second on 57 minutes. When the Dines foray into the Fairview half broke down, Blake Curran’s quick pass sent Shane Duggan in behind the defence and a burst of speed saw him race in on goal and cooly finish past the advancing keeper.

Things could have got worse for the Dines as Jose Zaquieu made fine saves to deny Vysochan and O’Neill but they hung in there and got their reward after the hour mark. Kian Mitcell and Cian Fitzgerald exchanged a couple o passes before the latter drilled a shot into the bottom corner of the net.

With their hopes renewed Geraldines introduced the experienced Eoin Hanrahan and Kevin Barry as they chased an equaliser.

The pair combined on 75 minutes when Hanrahan fired just over the top.

On 83 minutes Cian Fitzgerald found Hanarhan who dinked a ball over the top for Mambuana to race clear on goal. Fairview keeper Aaron Savage was off his line quickly forcing the striker to shoot just wide of target.

'Dines had another chance with just two minutes remaining when Barry sent Mambuana clear again. However once again Savage’s closing of the angle had the desired effect as the striker shot narrowly wide.

Fairview Rgs: Aaron Savage; Danny O'Neill; Blake Curran; Thomas O'Connor; Jake Dillon; Jeffery Judge; Shane Duggan; Cian McNamara; Yoyo Mahdy; Darragh Rainsford; Oleg Vysochan. Subs: Ryan Bowden; Josh McCarthy; Brian Aherne; Adam Dore.

Geraldines: Jose Zaquieu; Dave Power; Jack O'Doherty; Aaron Grant; John Mullane; Kian Mitchell; Tony Mambuana; Gareth Ronan; Cian Fitzgerald; Ousman Darboe; Leon Johnson. Subs: Eoin Hanrahan; Denis Brophy; Jonathan Moran; Kevin Barry; Jason Mullins