Nostalgia MOTD Oct 2005 Hibernians v Springfield

ST MICHAEL’S CUP 30.10.2005

Hibernian 2 Springfieldx 4 (aet)

Damien Rowe opens the Springfield account

Damien Rowe was the scoring hero for Springfield as they booked their place in the 4^th round of the Murphy’s Stout St Michael’s Cup with a 4-2 extra time win over hosts Shanbally.

Hat trick ace Rowe wasn't the only Springfield hero. Their backline, with skipper David Kinsella and Dan Lucey on song, played impressively all through.

Exchanges in midfield, where the main feature was the duel between Springfield’s Jason Gleeson and home ace Brian Irwin, were pretty even throughout. Springers themselves had two aces upfront. Both Mark McGroaty and Mark Farrell were key performers.

Hibernians, managed this season by Richie Drievers, came from behind twice in normal time, thanks mainly to the predatory instincts of two goal Anthony Meagan and their other top performers included Ben Denton (while he was in defence) and midfielders Irwin and Derek O'Brien.

The home side came close to a goal in the 14^th minute. Then experienced midfielder Derek O'Brien hit a good long range free from right to left. Brian Irwin got in a strong header but his effort hit his colleague Ian Cummins who was offside and Linehan awarded a free out.

Springfield hit the front for the first time in the 16^th minute, the goal owing much to veteran midfielder Mark McGroaty. His perfectly delivered through ball sent Glen Sheridan racing through the middle and clear of the defenders. Keeper Brendan Barrett made a good save but was powerless to prevent Rowe scoring from the rebound.

Hibs had a half chance in the next minute, this from a well placed long ball in by O'Brien. His intended target was Anthony Meagan, coming in from the left. But keeper Greg Byrne was on full alert and dashed from his line to make an important interception.

Meagan though would have better luck in the 25^th minute. Then the Springfield defence, expecting a whistle for offside, stood still and Meagan notched the equaliser off a long pass in by David Hayes.

Springfield had a great opportunity to make it 2-1 in the 37^th minute. The tricky Mark Farrell got clear on the left and his penalty box pass found John McCarthy but he took a little too long to shoot, though it still took an excellent save by Barrett to prevent the goal.

Hibernians

Springers came very close to a second goal less than two minutes into the second half. Then Glen Sheridan’s long ball looked inviting for McGroaty but keeper Barrett raced out quickly to intercept.

Meagan was proving a handful for the Springfield backline and, in the 52^nd minute, broke through on the left but a combination of skipper Dave Kinsella and keeper Byrne thwarted the Hibs raider.

Springfield

Rowe tried out his long range shooting a few minutes later, firing one in from the right but Barrett responded with an excellent save.

Then, after a spell of Hibs pressure, Springfield broke away to make it 2-1 in the 64^th minute. McGroaty, back in his own half to help the backs, sent Farrell free on the left. He held off a strong challenge from Denton before crossing to McCarthy whose glancing header was too well placed for the home keeper. It was a well deserved goal for the Cobh man as he had worked his socks off.

Hibs to their credit kept battling and scored an equaliser with seven minutes to play. Sub Kevin Stack got into the box on the right and his well placed cross was headed home by the diving Meagan.

But that was as good as it got for Drievers’ crew. Rowe scored in the opening minute of extra time, his powerful blast from the right flying high past Barrett to make it 3-2.

The home side had a half chance a few minutes later when Alan Murphy beat the defence to a long ball but he was soon outnumbered. Then a shot by Trevor Foran whistled just over the Springfield bar.

The come-back trail became much more difficult in the 7^th minute of extra time. Springers had applied a bit of pressure and Farrell raced through. The ball broke when he was tackled and Rowe’s snap shot sped high past Barrett to double the advantage.

Hibs never gave up the chase but enjoyed little luck in the second period. Stack floated over a corner midway through and midfielder O’Brien outjumped the defence but his thundering header was a fraction too high.

A goal then would have made for an interesting few minutes but it was not to be and the Cobh side, also going very well in AUL 1B, will take their place in the draw for round four.

Hibernians: Brendan Barrett, Stephen Jordan (captain), Trevor Foran, Ben Denton, Jason Kavanagh, Derek O'Brien, David Hayes, Brian Irwin, Ian Cummins, Alan Murphy and Anthony Meagan. Subs: Andrew McGarry (for Hayes 69), Ian Casey (for Irwin, injured, 82), Chris Prout, Kevin Stack (for Cummins 69) and Brian McCarthy.

Springfield: Greg Byrne, Roady Coughlan, John Sexton, David Kinsella (captain), Dan Lucey, Glen Sheridan, Damien Rowe, Jason Gleeson, Mark McGroaty, John McCarthy and Mark Farrell. Subs: Denis Cronin, Brian Sheridan and Thomas Curley (for McCarthy 85).

Referee: John Lenihan.