Crucial shootout save by keeper Allen helps Passage pip Fairview. Blast from the Past

Crucial shootout save by keeper Allen helps Passage pip Fairview.

Blast from the Past

Kevin O'Rourke appears to have Fairview's Timmy Sheehan in the palm of his hand.

Saxone Cup Final 05.05.2007

Fairview 0 Passage 0

Passage win 3-2 in penalties

Passage take Saxone for second time.

Sweeper Gary McCarthy calmly converted the 10th and final spotter to give Passage their second Saxone Cup success in three years. Perhaps it was fitting that a Passage defender clinched the game as that particular unit had distinguished itself in a testing night against a mobile and tricky Fairview strike force.

Fairview's Timmy Sheehan (left) and Kevin O'Rourke.

But, in the end, it was a strike force that would enjoy no luck. They were denied time and again by a strong Passage back four and an alert and capable keeper in Raymond Allen who would go on and make one flying save in the shootout.

Fairview's Timmy Sheehan races in on Ken Hourihan (right).

Spare a thought though for the Fairview keeper Seamus Miller. He too played well all through and, on most nights, two shootout saves would have seen his side take the trophy. But it was not to be and the only consolation for the losers, well organised by player-manager John Twohig, was that flying flanker Tadhg Miller was awarded the Gary McCarthy Man of the Match Award.

Ken Hourihan (left) and John Murphy prepare to tackle Fairview's Timmy Sheehan (right).

Tadhg didn't get to take a shootout spotter but Timmy Sheehan, another who had tried the Passage defence on many occasions, did and had his shot well saved by Allen. That was in the 4th exchange but the 'View keeper kept the issue alive with a fine save from John "Weeshie" Murphy.

Fairview's Sean Casey (left) and Graham Power

The next exchange decided it. Fairview kicked wide and McCarthy came in to calmly put them to the sword and start the celebrations for the harboursiders.

Fairview, out of luck at The Cross. Saxone Cup final, Turner's Cross, 05.05.07,

Fairview's near things began early on. They were very close to taking the lead in the 6th minute when man of the match Miller was only inches away from turning in a corner kick by Gavin Pepper. In the 22nd minute, deadball ace Pepper sought midfielder Val Hennessy with a well placed free but Hennessy just missed making contact when only yards from goal.

Gary McCarthy of Passage celebrates his decisive spotter (1).

Passage at last showed their passing game in the following minute. Power and Ken Hourihan combined to get Kieran McGarry in on the right. His low effort went past the advancing keeper but was knocked away from goal by the outstanding Sean Casey.

Gary McCarthy of Passage celebrates his decisive spotter (2).

The pattern continued into the second half and again Fairview started the better. In the 47th minute, Colm O'Shea sent over a great cross but his colleagues were unable to make contact and Passage survived. In the next minute, Miller played Timmy Sheehan in but keeper Allen got down well to save.

Oops! Fairview's Timmy Sheehan tumbles over Kevin O'Rourke.

Passage did have the odd threat, just as they had in the first half. One came in the 63rd minute. Then David Daly made a terrific run but his cross was just too far ahead of McGarry. Aidan Carroll tried his luck with a 35-yard free kick in the following minute but it dipped a few feet too late and skimmed the top of the net.

Power Cut. Fairview defender Sean Casey (left) halts Graham Power.

The harboursiders though came close to snatching it in the final minute of normal time. Then a cross from the left found Power but his half volley spun away from the target.

Passage captain Grant O'Brien receives the Saxone Cup from AUL secretary Martin Conlon

The first period of extra time saw two big chances. In the 8th minute, Fairview came close to a spectacular winner. Sheehan crossed from the left to sub Dan Lucey who volleyed on the run but the ball rocketed wide. In the next minute, a through ball by Weeshie Murphy got Power in. He got a shot away as he clashed with the keeper and with Casey but it was off target.

Passage keeper Raymond Allen saves shootout spotter.

Passage: Raymond Allen, Jonathan Cronin, Kevin O'Rourke, Gary McCarthy, Gary Murphy, Grant O'Brien (captain), Ken Hourihan, David Daly, Kieran McGarry, Graham Power and Aidan Carroll. Subs: Martin Murphy, Frank O'Rourke, John Murphy, Adrian Murphy and James Kind.

Fairview: Seamus Miller, John Twohig, Stephen Looney, Sean Casey, Colm O'Shea, Val Hennessy, Ian McCormac (captain), Gavin Pepper, Danny Coughlan, Tadhg Miller and Timmy Sheehan. Subs: Shane Cahalane, James Sloane, Dan Lucey, Richie Herlihy and Stuart Thompson.

Referee: Pat Buckley. Assistants: Sean Barry and Pat McAuliffe.