Pike Rovers spot on in shoot-out to reach Tuohy Cup final

TUOHY CUP:

Pike Rovers 1 Regional Utd 1 (Pike won 4-2 on pens, aet)

PIKE Rovers qualified for the final of the Tuohy Cup following a penalty shoot out victory over Reginal United at Jackman Park on Thursday evening.

A swirling wind throughout had an impact on the game, hampering both sides' efforts to play their normal game.

The winners now await either Fairview Rangers or Carew Park in the decider.

Pike dominated the possession in the early exchanges and went within a whisker of taking the lead when Conor Coughlan pounced on some lax defending but shot just outside the post.

Coughlan had another couple of half chances before Regional took the lead.

In a rare foray into the Pike half, United were awarded a free kick 30 yards from goal and top scorer Oleg Vysochan hit a beauty, wind assisted to the roof of the Pike net.

Pike responded well and within a minute Shane Clarke saw his header tipped onto the post and out by keeper Rob Shier.

Pike were back on level terms minutes after the restart when Regional struggled to clear a ball into the six-yard box and Clarke got a vital touch with his head to knock it over the line.

Coughlan was denied again with a shot from the edge of the area when Shier went full length to turn away and at the other end Kieran O’Connell got on the end of a Tommy Frawley cross but Gary Neville was well positioned to gather.

In what was becoming a personal duel, Shier made another fine save from Coughlan and minutes later a Clarke flick on gave Colm Walsh O’Loughlin a shot on goal but the hard-working Ewan O’Brien was on hand to clear off the line.

A good break by Regional saw Eoin Duff put Oleg Vysochan clear but he was fouled by Adam Lipper, earning the first of two yellows for the defender.  

The last chance of note saw Walsh O’Loughlin get in along the end line but his shot on goal was saved by Shier.

The resultant penalty shoot-out produced a familiar result with Pike keeper Gary Neville coming up trumps again with a couple of saves to seal the win.

Pike Rovers: Gary Neville; Danny O'Neill; Sean Madigan; Pat Mullins; Adam Lipper; Colin Daly; Colm Walsh O'Loughlin; Conor Coughlan; Steven Bradley; Shane Walsh; Shane Clarke. Sub: Dylan Murphy

Regional Utd: Rob Shier; Tom Frawley; Joey Rushe; Andrew Cowpar; David Cowpar; Shane Carmody; Ruairi Casserley; Oleg Vysochan; Kieran O'Connell; Ewan O'Brien; Eduardo Almeida. Sub: Donal O'Connell