Blast from the Past.
Kelly settles it as Mayfield pip Wilton in 2005 City Cup final.
Pics taken: 11.06.05
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| Mayfield's Alan Kelly, after scoring Mayfield's winner in City Cup final. - AUL City Cup final, Mayfield U 1 Wilton U 0, Turner's Cross, 11.06.05 --- Billy Lyons |
City Cup Final
Mayfield Utd 1 Wilton Utd 0
For once this season, Mayfield United enjoyed a little bit of luck at Turner’s Cross as they defeated Wilton united 1-0 in the final of the Murphy’s Stout City Challenge Cup on Saturday night.
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| Mayfield's Trevor Ahern (left) wins header against Wilton's Shane O'Neill. |
The winners took the lead through a brilliant Alan Kelly shot in the 10th minute but spent the rest of the game defending as Pat Bowdren’s Wilton United took charge of the ball and passed their way forward on innumerable occasions.
But make no mistake about it. This Mayfield side defended will. Perhaps the back four weren't as watertight as they should have been when they lost at the Cross to Coachford (in the AOH final) and to Ballintotis (in the St Michael’s).
They were superb on Saturday night and perhaps deserved that big bit of luck that came their way in the third quarter when Wilton were awarded a spotter and big Fergal Giltinan, one of two ex Cork City players on the team, blasted it wide off the angle.
Each keeper had responded well to early tests before Wilton's Kenneally was left floundering by Kelly’s blast in the 10th minute. Wilton gave the ball way in midfield and the skilful Dave Kenny sent Kelly away to fire in a beauty.
Wilton enjoyed majority possession from here until the end. They had penalty claims turned down in the 18th minute when top scorer Paul O’Mahony stumbled after a challenge by Mick Brosnan and was unable to get to the ball before excellent keeper Brian Ramsell.
In the 28th minute, a sweeping Wilton move ended with Shane O’Neill putting O’Mahony in on the right but his shot was off target. Then Alan McCarthy's free gave full back Tom Murphy a heading opportunity but he put it a few feet over the Mayfield bar.
Two minutes later, more Wilton passing and skipper Haly fires in a fine cross but it just eludes Murphy at the far post. Wilton keep coming, In the 24th minute, O'Neill‘s cross from the left is half-cleared but O'Mahony’s 18 yard volley is wide of Ramsell’s left hand post.
Soon afterwards, comes a brilliant Wilton move, O'Neill twice involved. Brian Kelly gets the cross in but Dooley’s header is over the bar. Kenny again tests the Wilton defence in the 40th minute but his mazy penalty box run ends with a rapidly rising shot that goes well over.
The pattern is much the same in the second half. Wilton’s Murphy had two shots in the 52nd, the first blocked, the second too high. And the pressure rises until finally Mayfield make a mistake, hard-working midfielder Trevor Aherne fouling Kelly after a smashing multi-pass move. Giltinan's spot kick though isn’t on target and Mayfield heave a huge sigh of relief.
Still much work to be done as the pressure continues, though Mayfield make a chance for themselves midway through. Kenny, one of the best players on the junior scene, slips the ball to the competitive O’Sullivan who steps inside his man and lets fly but the 20 yarder speeds wide.
Kenny though loses the ball in the 73rd minute and Wilton get away. Sub Eoin Murphy feeds O’Mahony. His shot beats Ramsell and it is whacked behind by Warren. It is the first of four successive corners for Wilton but Mayfield hold firm.
Ramsell has been playing well for Mayfield and makes an important contribution in the 78th minute. Then Haly tries a snap 18-yard shot through a crowded box but Ramsell, even with the setting sun in his eyes, catches it well.
Wilton stay true to Bowdren’s passing game right to the end, right into injury time. They keep their shape, keep passing the ball. They force a corner in the last minute but Ramsell grabs O’Mahony’s shot from just under the bar. Wilton force another two flag kicks in injury time but Mayfield, having survived that major penalty scare, make it third time lucky and retain the City Challenge Cup, the final whistle sounding in the 50th minute of the second half.
Mayfield United: Brian Ramsell, John Warren, Ger Forde, Paul Keegan (captain), Mick Brosnan, Niall O’Sullivan, Trevor Ahern, Sean Madden, Alan Kelly, Dave Kenny and Ian Saville. Subs used: Ray Atkins for Warren (77th minute), Adrian Saville for O’Sullivan (84th) and Simon O’Leary for I. Saville (92nd, injured).
Wilton United: Pat Kenneally, Brian Kelly, Tom Murphy, Alan McCarthy, Fergal Giltinan, Anthony Buckley, Shane O’Neill, Phil Haly (captain), Paul O’Mahony, Mark Dooley and Cathal Walsh. Subs used: Eoin Murphy for Dooley (at half-time, injured), Shay Cronin for T. Murphy (65th minute, injured) and Eoin Murphy for Walsh (82nd)
Referee: Ken Hennessy. Assistants: Stuart Joyce and Con Long.
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