Blast from the Past. March 2008. Carrigtwohill take St Michael's Cup against Postal Celtic

Blast from the Past.

March 2008. Carrigtwohill take St Michael's Cup against Postal Celtic

Pics:  30.03.08,

Pre-match shake hands (l to r): Steven O'Connell, Michael
Monahan (Postal), referee Jim Haines,
Aidan Walsh (Carrigtwohill) and Graham Duffy. 

ST MICHAEL’S CUP FINAL

Carrigtwohill United 1 Postal Celtic 0

(after extra time)

Carrig come good in extra time

Carrigtwohill United, who should have been ahead at half-time and at full time, were eventually ahead when the fat lady sang as they defeated a gallant Postal Celtic outfit 1-0, after extra time, in the final of the Murphy's Stout St Michael's Cup at a wet and windy Turner's Cross on Sunday night.

The East Cork team deserved their win in this first division knockout competition. Postal gave it everything and regularly stretched their opponents but Carrig had the better passing game and that plus their fitness told in the end.

Carrig skipper Alan Walsh receives St Michael's Cup
from the AUL's Paddy Byrne. 

Key players for the winners included sterling defender Seanie Madden who missed out in this competition on two recent finals when he was a Mayfield player. Now resident in Carrigtwohill, he stepped up to the plate big time at the Cross. And Carrig needed him to do so as his centreback partner Alan Walsh was engaged in a tremendous match long stamina sapping physical but sporting duel with opposite number Sean Guiheen.

Postal's Dan Kenneally delivers a clearing header.

Dave Barry is another experienced Carrig man and he shone on the right of midfield and it was no surprise to see him supply the tastiest of passes for the winner. Stephen Kidney turned in a five star performance upfront. Strong, spirited and skilful, he didn't give the Postal backs a moment's rest.

Both Leonard Healy (3rd minute volley) and Kidney (11th) went close for Carrig as they pressed in the early stages. The middle part of the first half was even enough with little goalmouth action.

Carrig's Steven Dineen rise to head the ball. 

There were some good chances late on. In the 35th minute, Carrig broke and Cian McSweeney sent Kidney away but he was halted by a tremendous tackle by Dan Kenneally.

Stephen Dineen got in a good downward header from Dave Barry's resultant corner. The ball was cleared back to Barry and Welsh turned it into the danger area where McSweeney's header beat the keeper and came down off the bar before being cleared.

Postal's Anthony Dorney takes on Carrig defence.

In the 43rd minute, Healy passed to Kidney and his diagonal pass was inches too far ahead of Barry as he steamed in from the right. Postal had their best chance in the closing minute of the half when a good angled pass by Guiheen gave Anthony Dorney a shooting chance. Keeper Sheridan parried and Madden booted clear.

Midway through the second half, Carrig threatened again. Ian Kenny freed Dineen to cross and the ball was just ahead of the diving Kidney. Then Barry found McSweeney but his penalty box shot was deflected wide.

Postal's Gavin Dorney beats Derek Nolan to the dropping ball.

Carrig then broke following a 73rd minute Postal corner. Healy, who got stronger as the game wore on, found McSweeney and his pass saw Kidney race onto the ball in the box only to be doubled tackled. A Postal defender was robbed in the 79th minute but Dineen shot wide from inside the box.

Postal were almost gifted a goal a few minutes later. The ball ran loose following a mix-up between skipper Walsh and keeper Sheridan but Carrig got it clear.

Carrig's Steve Kidney is first to ball.

Kenneally made a rare error in the Postal box with two to go and that gave Healy a chance. His first shot was well saved and his second taken off the line by Kenneally.

Postal relief though was short-lived as Carrig took the lead in the second minute of extra time. Healy's pass from halfway found Barry on the right and he released McSweeney who got away from his marker to neatly lob the ball over the advancing keeper.

Postal Celtic fought all the way.

The East Cork team could have scored again in the second period. Healy again started the move. McSweeney carried it on and freed Dineen for a shot that was knocked off the line by Gavin Buckley.

Carrigtwohill United: Aiden Sheridan, Cormac Carroll, Derek Nolan (Peter Furlong 106), Alan Walsh captain, Sean Madden, Leonard Healy, Dave Barry, Shane Kennedy (Ian Kenny 63), Stephen Kidney, Cian McSweeney and Stephen Dineen. Subs: Sean Buckley, Darren Sylvester and Paul Nolan.

Carrig's Steve Dineen (right) puts pressure on John Naughton.

Postal Celtic: Adrian Coleman, Michael Burke (Tony Madden 53), Gavin Buckley, John Naughton, Dan Kenneally, Graham Browne, Gavin Dorney (Denis Reid 69), Michael Monahan, Sean Guiheen, Anthony Dorney and Alan McCarthy (Paul Dorney 95). Subs: Paul Dorney, Paul Madden and Denis O'Brien.

Referee: Jim Haines. Assistants: Stephen O'Connell and Graham Duffy.

Carrig's Steve Dineen (right) and
Gavin Dorney contest dropping ball.

Carrig's Steve Dineen highest here

Carrigtwohill players rush to scorer Cian McSweeney.