Pike Rovers edge past Fairview Rangers to claim 10th Tuohy Cup final success

Tuohy Cup Final:

Pike Rvs 1 Fairview Rgs 0

PIKE Rovers retained the Tuohy Cup and, in the process, recorded their 10th Tuohy Cup success on Friday evening when they defeated their arch rivals by the minimum, courtesy of a Dylan Murphy goal in the opening half.

As usual between these two sides, there was little to separate them but the Hoops, thanks in large part to an experienced spine through the middle of the park, just edged the tie.

From Gary Neville in goals through Pat Mullins, Robbie Williams and Shane Clarke, the winners had the smarts over a good but young side.

Fairview’s experienced Conor Kavanagh and Jeffery Judge were cup tied but Shane Duggan and Cian McNamara were excellent while Jack Cross and Thomas O’Connor were also prominent throughout.

Fairview started well and a clever flick on by McNamara put Adrian Aherne clear on goal but a superb saving tackle by Kyle Duhig kept the game scoreless.

Minutes later a high cross by Williams saw Clarke creep into the area but ‘View keeper Josh McCarthy rushed out to gather.

A pike free kick delivered by Clarke was blocked by the wall but the rebound fell to the Pike striker and his delivery to the back post was headed just over by Mullins.

At the other end Kane Connolly put a teasing ball across the face of the Pike goal with no team mate on the same wavelength.
The breakthrough came five minutes from the break.

Williams was excellent in the middle of the park and when he won possession, he picked out Shane Walsh who fed the overlapping Sean Madigan whose delivery into the box was headed down by Clarke with Dylan Murphy getting the final touch to knock it into the net.

After the restart Fairview had a great chance to level when the Pike defence failed to deal with Adam Dore’s through ball, allowing Connolly a clear run-on goal but faced one on one with Neville, the keeper came out tops.

The Blues went close again minutes later when Dore’s delivery got a touch from Liam Quinn but Neville went full length to stop on the line.

Murphy went close to adding a second from close range but was thwarted by McCarthy and at the other end Neville made n equally sharp save to hold Ahern’s long-range effort.

Fairview, to their credit never gave up the chase and had one more chance just before the final whistle when Cian McNamara burst into the area but a superb block by Adam Lipper ensured Pike would retain the trophy.

After the game Luke Grimes presented Shane Clarke with his man of the match award, sponsored by Ant and Dec’s Bar.
Pat Mullins received the (newly presented replacement) Cup from member of the Tuohy Family.

Pike Rovers: Gary Neville; Danny O'Neill; Sean Madigan; Pat Mullins; Adam Lipper; Robbie Williams; Shane Walsh; Kyle Duhig; Shane Clarke; Dylan Murphy; Conor Coughlan. Subs: Steven Bradley; Eddie O'Donovan, Aaron Cusack, Derek Daly, Eoin Hanrahan. 

Fairview Rgs: Josh McCarthy GK; Jack Cross; Blake Curran; Thomas O'Connor; Shane Tracy; Brian Aherne; Cian McNamara; Shane Duggan; Kane Connolly; Liam Quinn; Adam Dore. Subs: Josh Quinlivan, Filip Mostowy; Culainn Williams, Cameron O’Grady, Calum Kiely, Craig Madigan.