Blast from the Past. May 2006. Springfield's penalty experts help them to County Cup title at the expense of Ballincollig

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Blast from the Past

Ballincollig. Take an extra break lads

Springfield's penalty experts help them to County Cup title at the expense of Ballincollig.

Pics: 30.05.2006 

Springfield captain Dave Kinsella (top) takes a tumble after being tackled by Mark Buckley. County Cup final, Turner's Cross, 30.05.06.

COUNTY CUP FINAL

Ballincollig 0 Springfield 0

Springfield won 4-3 on penalties

Springfield, the champions.



Keeper Greg Byrne scored one and saved one as Springfield won the Murphy’s Stout County Cup for the first time ever when they defeated first division rivals Ballincollig 4-3 on spotters after last evening’s final at Turner’s Cross had ended without a goal.

Ballincollig, pipped from the spot.


Neither keeper was tested that much in the preceding 110 minutes. The two sides were evenly matched, though that didn't prevent spells of dominance for both. Springers had a definite edge in the first half and won the corner count hands down.


Ballincollig were much better after the break and again in the first period of extra time. Nothing much of note thereafter and the shootout started with Byrne saving from Timmy O’Leary and Mark Farrell giving Springers the edge by scoring their first.

Extra time break for Springers


The second, third and fourth exchanges produced on the double, with Byrne contributing his goal to keep the Cobh side in front at 4-3. Ballincollig’s Trevor O'Mahony had to score to keep their hopes alive but saw his effort hit Byrne’s right hand post and Springers were champs.


Springfield's Conor Hawes heads away from Trevor O'Mahony (left).
 County Cup final, Turner's Cross
The opening minutes promised much but it was a promise that would not be kept. In the 2nd, a perceptive long crossfield ball by Cobh skipper Dave Kinsella picked out John McCarthy at the far post but his mid-air volley was out of control and well off the mark.


In the next minute, Ballincollig's Bryan McNulty robbed his marker and raced into the box but his hooked pass for Cathal O'Callaghan was nowhere near his colleague.


Springfield soon took a grip and their corner count began to build but they were creating no direct danger to young Cian O’Callaghan in the Ballincollig goal.


Byrne was even less busy. Ballincollig didn't have their first decent move until the 20th minute and that ended with McNulty freeing Dave O’Callaghan for a cross that went behind.

Springfield shootout spotter gives Cian O'Callaghan no chance


More Springfield corners followed but still no threat to O’Callaghan. Half a one maybe in the 32nd minute when Conor Hawes shot well over after Shane Brennan had knocked down a long free kick.


Ballincollig forced their first corner in first half injury time but were much more of a force after the break and came close to a goal chance eleven minutes in. They broke quickly from a Springers corner. McNulty led the rapid raid and his potent cross towards skipper Mark Buckley was well intercepted by Kinsella.

Ballincollig, went on to play in white


Hawes outfoxed O’Mahony to power in a dangerous cross in the 62nd minute but Brennan fouled Jason Cronin as they went to meet it and, four minutes later, O’Callaghan got down smartly to stop a low drive by Brennan after good play by Hawes.


The stalemate continued into extra time. Ballincollig created the best chance in the 2nd minute of the first period. Again McNulty was at the heart of it. He was the link between Buckley and Cathal O’Callaghan who saw his penalty box shot fly just over.

Clash of the Jasons


Springers had half a chance five minutes later but McCarthy fired well over the top after neat play by Hawes and sub Jason Cronin. The second period was pretty tame and so the stage was set for keeper Byrne to do his double act and help claim the cup for Springfield.



Captains Dave Kinsella (left) and Ballincollig's Mark Buckley
with officials referee Frank Murphy (centre)
and assistants  and Joe Stevenson and Brendan O’Regan


Ballincollig: Cian O’Callaghan, Jason O’Leary, Trevor O’Mahony, Paul Foley, Mark Buckley (captain), Timmy O’Leary, Steve Nolan, Dave O’Callaghan, Terry Coomey, Cathal O’Callaghan and Bryan McNulty. Subs used: David O’Donovan for Nolan (69th minute), Anthony Ryan for Coomey (83rd) and John Kelleher for Cathal O’Callaghan (104th injured).

Springfield: Greg Byrne, Damien Rowe, Dave Kinsella (captain), Stuart Burns, Dan Lucey, Jason Gleeson, John McCarthy, Anthony O'Mahony, Shane Brennan, Conor Hawes and Mark Farrell. Subs used: Jason Cronin for Brennan (69th minute) and Damien Maher for O’Mahony (90th).

Referee: Frank Murphy; assistants: Brendan O’Regan and Joe Stevenson.



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