Nagle CC, Blackrock, Cork 5/1 Greenhills College, Walkinstown
Alan Browne (1), Kevin O’Keeffe (49), Daniel McCarthy (52), Raymond Delaney (57), Glenn Edmunds (65) Sean Dixon (53)
Nagle Community College cemented their place in the John Murphy Senior Cup Final with a splendid second half performance against a stunned Greenhill’s College yesterday afternoon in Portlaoise (February 10):
Sean Geasley’s side got the perfect start to their campaign when striker Alan Browne reacted quickest to a throw in from Raymond Delaney near his half way line: Browne executed the move with swift precession; his first touch taking the curling ball under control for him to strike a perfected weighted ball into the roof of the Greenhill’s net with a thunderous shot with just a minute registered:
Nagle continued to apply the pressure and four minutes later, a “Rory Delap” style throw in from the 18 yard line by Raymond Delaney found Browne in some space: His aerobatic overhead bicycle kick was narrowly missed but Glenn Edmunds was on hand to sneak a shot on goal: Shane Meegan reacted quickest to get his fingertips to the ball to raise it over the crossbar:
Meegan was called into action after the quick feet of Alan Browne deceived the Greenhill’s defence to test the keeper with a low pile driver: Meegan again managed to get down to palm the ball wide:
It was all Nagle as Glenn Edmunds effort was ruled off side for another great opportunity on goal after a long range effort from Browne hit the woodwork:
Edmunds was denied a goal on 23 minutes following a spectacular free kick from Roy Collins but the assistant referee had ruled Edmunds off side much to the annoyance of mentor Geasley:
Walkinstown were fortunate only to concede once in the first period after an action packed 45 as the Cork School impressed throughout the park:
Paul Barnes needed a miracle to motivate his players to impact on proceedings in the second half:
However Nagle started the second half much the same as the first period with a quick goal after just four minutes of play: This time Kevin O’Keefe got the Cork School’s second of the afternoon after an excellent delivery from Roy Collins following a well worked set piece:
This methodically was repeated three minutes later by Collins for Daniel McCarthy to head home inside the box:
Greenhill’s immediately responded from the tip off with a well weighted kick to test the keeper from half way: Captain Sean Dixon managed to stun Shane Wright to bring the game into contention at 3/1 with thirty minutes to play:
Walkinstown revival was short lived as the game was decided four minutes later when Raymond Delaney made a crafty run down the left and found himself in space: The young defender decided to have a shot on goal and released a powerful attempt to catch Meegan off guard for Nagle’s fourth of the afternoon:
Proceedings were wrapped up just after the hour mark when Roy Collins’ free kick drifted into the box for Glenn Edmunds to rise highest to head past the bewildered Meegan:
The imposing Nagle will now face St: Catherine’s Vocational School, Killybegs in the John Murphy Cup Final on Wednesday next (February 16):
Nagle Community College, Mahon: Shane Wright, Raymond Delaney, Vincent Noonan, Alex Ahern, Daniel McCarthy, Roy Kenny, Glenn Edmunds, Roy Collins, Kevin O’Keefe, Shane O’Mahony, Alan Browne
Subs: Dean Forde, Darren O’Leary, Scott Phelan, Sean Holland, Paul Lawlor
Teacher: Sean Geasley
Greenhills College, Walkinstown: Shane Meegan, Derek Hanbury, Ross Finnegan, Jonathan Hayes, Darragh Clerkin, John Manon, Jack Valentini, Adas Bastus, Sean Dixon, Jordan McNeill, Sean Dunne
Subs: Sean Moles (for Jack Valentini 56), Afrim Hdxia, David Delaney, Sean McGarry (65), Alex Dolan
Teachers: Paul Barnes, Tim McCarthy
Referee:Billy Conlon (Tipperary)