Blast from the Past.
Knockavilla, on way to County Cup triumph, block Passage
Pics: 27.05.2007
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| Knockavilla earn their first County Cup. |
COUNTY CUP FINAL
Knockavilla Celtic 2 Passage 0
David Murphy scored late in the first half and substitute Verden Kristic late in the second as Knockavilla Celtic recorded their first ever win in the Murphy's Stout County Cup with a deserved 2-0 success over game underdogs Passage at Turner's Cross last night.
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| Gary McCarthy (Passage) takes on Barry Cullinane (left). |
Both teams had already been successful at The Cross this season, Passage in the second division Saxone Cup, Celtic in the first division St Michael's. There were no stage nerves and it was straight to business. Passage, with the wind and sun to their backs, started the better.
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| Referee John Gaffney (centre) with assistants: Willie Long (right) and Brendan O'Regan. |
Celtic keeper Martin O'Donovan was the busier in the opening quarter and made a crucial safe with his feet in the 13th minute. Then David Daly and Graham Power had unhinged the defence to get skipper Grant O'Brien through but O'Donovan saved well. The subsequent corner saw Power head just too high from John Murphy's cross.
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| Celtic's Robbie Walsh receives Man of Match Award from Murphy's Jim Cashman. |
O'Donovan was again tested and again came through with flying colours in the 29th minute. Then Daly set up John Murphy for a low drive but the keeper dived to turn it behind for a fruitless corner.
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| Trapped. Kieran McGarry of Passage traps the ball as Keith White closes in. |
Celtic created a great chance in the 31st minute, all the work of midfielder Dermot O'Mahony. He found Kevin O'Crualaoi rushing in but the striker had company on his left and tried to find his colleague when a shot might well have produced the better value.
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| On the line. Kieran McGarry of Passage and Eddie O'Mahony (right). |
O'Crualaoi's bad luck in front of goal continued. In the 37th minute, he wasted another brilliant opportunity, slicing wide after a Walsh cross and lay back by David Murphy. Murphy though would have better luck in the 40th minute, heading home after a terrific cross by Man of the Match Walsh.
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| Winner all white. Keith White jumps on Celtic scorer Dave Murphy. |
Knockavilla had an inviting chance to make it 2-0 in the 44th minute. Skipper Cullinane crossed from the right but O'Crualaoi drove over the top from 11 yards. The boys from the West wasted another glorious opportunity three minutes into the second half when a cute back-heel, too cute perhaps, by Eddie O'Mahony failed to outfox Passage keeper Raymond Allen who smothered the cheeky close range effort.
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| Passage |
In fairness to O'Mahony, seconds later he was back in his own area doing what he does best, blocking a dangerous shot from Passage midfielder Ken Hourigan. Knockavilla threatened in the 57th minute but the outstanding Gary McCarthy made a super tackle on the 18-yard line to halt Kristic as he sought to capitalise on good approach play by Walsh and Dermot Crowley.
In the 64th minute McCarthy, now playing a more forward role, collected from a tbrow-in and crossed low and hard. The ball deflected off a defender but keeper O'Donovan reacted quickly to keep it out.
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| Power has company. Graham Power of Passage takes on two Celtic players. |
Celtic have used a changed team in the County Cup. Kristic is the normal keeper but he was now involved at the other end. In the 73rd minute, he made a smart turn as a low cross by Murphy came in but shot just over. He would have better luck with four minutes to go. Then a defensive error saw the ball land at his feet and he slid it home for the clincher.
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| Celtic skipper Barry Callanan receives the County Cup from Murphy Stout's Jim Cashman (right) and the AUL's Paddy Byrne. |
Knockavilla Celtic: Martin O'Donovan, Damien O'Riordan, Brian McSweeney, Brian Crowley, Eddie O'Mahony, Dermot Crowley, Robbie Walsh, Barry Cullinane (captain), David Murphy, Kevin O'Crualaoi and Keith White. Subs: Paul Kelleher, Shane Fitzgerald, Verden Kristic, Denis O'Mahony and Kevin Finn.
Passage: Raymond Allen, Jonathan Cronin, Kevin O'Rourke, Gary McCarthy, Gary Murphy, Grant O'Brien (captain), Ken Hourigan, David Daly, Kieran McGarry, Graham Power and John Murphy. Subs: Martin Murphy, Aidan Carroll, John Sheppard and James Kind.
Referee: John Gaffney. Assistants: Willie Long and Brendan O'Regan.
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| . Reds have it. Brian Crowley leads the line to stop Passage striker Graham Power. |
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