Blast from the Past. Leeds do the business against Wilton. Second half goals win 2009 City Challenge Cup.

Blast from the Past.

Leeds do the business against Wilton. Second half goals win City Challenge Cup.

Pics: 10th May 2009

Celebrate. Leeds scorer Barry Lawlor, hauled in by Alan Holland.

City Challenge Cup final

Leeds 2 Wilton Utd 0

A brilliantly constructed second half goal, netted by Barry Lawlor, put Leeds on their way to their first ever success in the final of the Murphy's Stout City Challenge Cup at Turner's Cross yesterday morning against Wilton Utd.

Number Two. John Cooney wheels away to celebrates Leeds' second.

The new champions suffered a couple of injury setbacks in the first half but centrehalf Chris Kelleher, the Garry McCarthy Man of the Match winner, and his defensive colleagues came up with the goods to deny a defiant Wilton side, who also lost last season's decider and who were chasing a treble, having already won AUL 3 and the President's Cup.

But it was first division Leeds who themselves clinched a double. Already winners in AUL 1A, they sealed their deserved victory when John Cooney netted an injury time second.

Cool Cooney clinches it in injury time

Donal O'Riordan's winners lost full back Ian Cotter in the opening minutes. Midfielder Kevin McGee took over that role but he limped out on the half hour.

Leeds though made the better start. Wilton were stretched, conceding fouls and, in the rearguard action, a Wilton midfielder picked up the first of his two yellows, the second arriving midway through the second half.

Wilton are down and out as Johnny Cooney celebrates Leeds' injury time clincher.

Wilton soon steadied the ship and began to show Leeds that they were in for a tough morning. Chances at both ends but the best came in first half stoppage time.

In the 48th minute, Oscar Traynor winner Keith Kelleher freed Leeds colleague Colum McCarthy who had taken over at right back. McCarthy's excellent cross found Alan Holland at the near post but his header didn't hit the target.

Goalscorer. Leeds Barry Lawlor, after opening the scoring.

Wilton could have taken the lead in the next minute. Eamon Shields crossed from the right. Derek Harrington adjusted to chest it across the six yard box but McCarthy couldn't get any force on his effort and the ball was easy for the keeper.

There was a promising opening to the second half. Buckley went close for Leeds after good work by Holland and Lawlor and then Denis Young set up Shields for a shot that was well saved by Leeds keeper Damien Byrne.

Happy Boys. Dean Buckley (left) and scorer Greg Cooney celebrate the second Leeds goal.

Wilton came very close in the 59th minute when a long range free kick thunderbolt by Tomasz Wozny tested Byrne to the limit but the keeper made a brilliant tip over save.

The lead goal came two minutes later. Flanker Kelleher sent in beautiful through ball and fellow midfielder Lawlor moved through the defence to collect and lob it neatly over the isolated Mark Dooley.

High Jump. Man of Match Chris Kelleher (right) outjumps Wilton's Eamonn Shields.

Holland had two good efforts for the winners and, in between, in the 67th minute, the red card appeared and Wilton were down to ten.

It didn't get any easier for Leeds as Wilton kept battling. They came very close indeed in the 83rd minute. Leeds were slow to clear and a bout of head tennis was interrupted when Wilton sub John Mullarkey took possession and sent over a terrific low cross, just inches away from the straining Derek Harrington.

Jump for joy. Leeds scorer Barry Lawlor celebrates opening goal.

The clincher didn't come until the third minute of injury time. Then Dean Buckley expertly split the Wilton defence and sent sub John Cooney clear. His first shot was well saved by keeper Dooley but Cooney ran in to force the ball home for the second.

Leeds, the champions

Leeds A: Damien Byrne, Ian Cotter, Terry Murphy, Colm McCarthy captain, Chris Kelleher, Diarmuid Long, Kevin McGee, Barry Lawlor, Alan Holland, Dean Buckley and Keith Kelleher. Subs: Frank Murphy, Peter O'Keeffe, John Cooney, Chris Corcoran and Kevin Healy.

Wilton Utd: Mark Dooley, Alan O'Gorman, Piotr Sekula, Tomasz Wozny, Daniel Higgins, Cian Anderson, James McCarthy, Steve Duffy captain, Eamon Shields, Denis Young and Derek Harrington. Subs: Dave Harrington, Eddie Quirke, Dave Walsh and John Mullarkey.

Referee: Tony Murphy. Assistants: Pat Cronin and Paul O'Sullivan.