COUNTY CUP FINAL 2009. Blast from the Past. Moleli's extra time winner for Watergrasshill sinks Innishvilla

Blast from the Past. 

Moleli's extra time winner for Watergrasshill sinks Innishvilla

  in 2009 County Cup final

(pics: 10th May 2009)

Champions Watergrasshill.

COUNTY CUP FINAL 

Innishvilla 1 Watergrasshill Utd 2

(after extra time)

So close for Innishvilla.

Striker Johnny Dorgan played a leading role as holders Watergrasshill Utd defeated Innishvilla 2-1, after extra time, in Sunday's County Cup final at Turner's Cross.

It was a tight game, one of few chances. The team with the best forwards won it. Dorgan, who scored one and set up the winner, received the Garry McCarthy Trophies Man of the Match award and striker partner Jacob Moleli also proved a handful for the Villa defence.

Jacob's flick. The Hill's Jacob Moleli (right) flicks ball past Tom Mulcahy.

Innishvilla, playing in their first ever AUL final, stayed in the game to the very end. They had an edge in midfield where young Shane O'Sullivan and skipper Paul Griffin caught the eye. Indeed, Griffin came close to taking the tie to spotters but his last minute strike was well saved.

Watergrasshill had the first big chance. In the 8th minute, a great run by Danny Mullins saw him get in on the left. He hit a terrific low cross but it was just too far ahead of Dorgan.

Before the game, referee Ted Callanan and his assistants Edward Geaney (left) and John Harte meet the captains, Watergrassill's Kieran Foley (left) and Paul Griffin.

Two minutes later, Pa Moroney put Moleli in on the right but he blasted into the side netting. Villa had their first corner in the 15th minute but strong hands by Aime Butsana diverted Shaun O'Hara's flag kick away from danger.

O'Hara, in the 33rd minute, was in defensive action, doing well to clear a dangerous corner by Moleli but the second quarter was evenly contested and there were no real chances.

Double trouble. Hill's Pa Moroney (left) heads past Paul Griffin and Shaun O'Hara (right

Underdogs Innishvilla were more confident after the break and almost scored three minutes in. Skipper Paul Griffin let fly from outside the box and Butsana's overly spectacular save pushed the ball into the path of O'Hara but he shot behind from a narrow angle.

Then Dorgan broke clear for the Hill only to be denied by Donnellan who saved well with his feet. There was a mistake in the Villa defence on the hour. Mullins went in and crossed from a narrow angle and Dorgan forced Donnellan to another good save.

Moroney's Header. Hill's Pa Moroney (left) heads past Paul Griffin and Shaun O'Hara (right).

Villa failed to maintain their bright start to the half and again exchanges were even and chances scarce. Young Hill defender Michael John O'Sullivan had one from a 75th minute corner but his far post volley flew well over.

It began to look more and more like a scoreless draw until the 88th minute when a long ball over the top sent Dorgan clear. Keeper Donnellan raced from his line but the striker nodded the ball past him and it just made it over the line as the defenders raced back.

Nick of time. Innishvilla keeper Conor Donnellan slides in to kick ball away from Jacob Moleli. 

Sub Markey came on in the 90th minute and four minutes later was celebrating the equaliser. Intelligent play by Anthony Maguire led to a quickly taken Innishvilla corner. It broke at the far post and the sub drilled a low shot through the crowd and into the net.

Villa started the first period of extra time with a fruitless corner but fell behind again in the 5th minute. Their defence was breached by Dorgan's neat through ball and this time Moleli won the race against the keeper and directed the ball past him and into the far corner.

On the ball. Innishvilla's Shane O'Sullivan on the ball against Watergrasshill's Dave Cooke (left). 

Watergrasshill looked pretty secure during the second period of extra time. Villa kept plugging away and skipper Paul Griffin almost brought the tie to spotters. In the final minute of extra time, he let fly and keeper Butsana had to dive to his left to make a superb save.

Innishvilla: Conor Donnellan, Declan Rice, Tom·s Mulcahy, Daniel McSweeney, Adrian Daly, Anthony Maguire, Shane O'Sullivan, Paul Griffin (captain), Shane O'Hara, Andrew Sheehan and Larry Ryan. Subs: Michael Crowley, Martin Boyle, Philip Hayes, Chris Markey and Sean Crowley.

Watergrasshill Utd: Aime Butsana, Michael O'Sullivan, Willie O'Leary, Kieran Foley captain, John O'Keeffe, Pa Moroney, Edward O'Connell, Dave Cooke, John Dorgan, Jacob Moleli and Danny Mullins. Subs: Denis O'Callaghan, Neilus O'Mahony, Nigel Dingivan, Moss O'Keeffe and Kieran Coakley.

Referee: Ted Callanan. Assistants: Edward Geaney and John Harte.

Ryan Air. Larry Ryan ( left) and  Pa Moroney contest header

County Cup Previous Winners

1970-71: Crosshaven Utd (Bandon); 1971-72: St John Bosco's (Inniscarra); 1972-73: Clonakilty (Hibernians); 1973-74: Crosshaven (Coachford); 1974-75: Crosshaven (Brideview); 1975-76: Ballincollig  (Carrigaline Utd); 1976-77: Cobh Ramblers (Fr Murphy's YC); 1977-78: Ballincollig  (Fermoy); 1978-79: Not completed; petrol shortage; 1979-80: Ballincollig  (Carrigaline Utd); 1980-81: Carrigaline Utd   (Ard-na-Laoi); 1981-82: Carrigaline Utd  (Farnanes); 1982-83: Brideview Utd  (Mallow Utd); 1983-84: Buttevant (Carrigtwohill); 1984-85: Mallow Utd  (Ballincollig Ath.); 1985-86: Waterloo (Killowen); 1986-87: St John Bosco's   (Passage); 1987-88: Castle Celtic (Ballincollig Utd); 1988-89: Blarney Utd (Bandon); 1989-90: Bandon (Leeside); 1990-91: Leeside (Coachford); 1991-92: Brooklodge Utd (Corkbeg); 1992-93: Corkbeg  (Brooklodge Utd); 1993-94: Leeside (Kinsale); 1994-95: Castle Celtic (Blarney Utd); 1995-96: Ard-na-Laoi  (Killumney Utd); 1996-97: Leeside  (Brooklodge Ath.); 1997-98: Hill Celtic (St John Bosco's B); 1998-99: Ballinhassig (Ballincollig); 1999/2000: Kinsale (Richmond); 2000/2001: not played due to foot and mouth crisis; 2001/2002: Passage B (Millstreet Celtic); 2002/2003: Kanturk (Blarney Utd B); 2003/04: Ballincollig (Leeside); 2004/05: Park Utd (Kanturk); 2005/6 Springfield (Ballincollig); 2006/07: Knockavilla Celtic (Passage); 2007/08: Watergrasshill Utd (Ballincollig); 2008/09: Watergrasshill (Innishvilla).