Strand United make Coachford pay the penalty in the President's Cup final
Strand B players celebrate after winning the President's Cup against Coachford B at the Cross over the weekend.
And getting the nod for man of the match was Strand B’s keeper Dave Og Coleman who brought off a number of superb saves at crucial stages of the game.
His first was early in the second period of extra time from Coachford’s Matt Brady and then he denied both Tadgh Bradley and Josh Martin by producing two superb saves in the penalty shoot-out.
Coachford B looked the part over the first 45 minutes when they took a 2-1 lead with them into the break, but Strand found a second gear and really made a go of it in the second period as they got back on level terms before proving to be the more accurate in the end with their penalty kicks.
Assisted by a strong breeze, Strand’s keeper Dave Og Coleman needed to deal effectively with a through ball, destined for Billy Barrett before Dylan Quinn headed wide from Vincent Sush Penades’ free kick at the other end.
And when Cian Spicer’s long throw was cleared, it fell for O’Buachalla who fired over from 20.
Then, on 12 minutes, Coachford B nosed in front when Daniel O’Driscoll pounced on to a loose ball before looping his half-volleyed effort past Coleman for a spectacular opener.
Coachford were edging the contest now and when the ball came kindly for O’Buachalla, he lifted his effort over.
What a lovely passage of play then followed for Coachford’s second.
O’Buachalla played it short to Harrington who helped on to Pat Walsh.
Walsh then picked out the supportive O’Buachalla who found Daniel O’Driscoll to hook past Coleman and double Coachford’s advantage on 24 minutes.
Two minutes later, Strand B found a way back into the game when Gavin Kelleher was upheld inside the box by Brendan Harrington and from the spot, Kelleher rifled home with aplomb to make it 2-1 on 26.
A response from Coachford then saw Jack Harrington rise to head wide from Spicer’s cross.
A lovely weighted pass into space by O’Buachalla found Pat Walsh, but his cross, meant for the lurking Jack Harrington was just too close to Coleman.
A free kick from Tadgh Bradley did reach Jack Harrington, but the unmarked striker failed to make contact and a chance went.
Jack Harrington was in the right place again when Barrett cushioned a ball down for him, but he hooked over from inside the box.
The second period was ten minutes in when Jack Harrington threaded a ball through for Billy Barrett, but a top-drawer tackle from Adam Dunphy saved the day.
But, it was game on once again when a low cross from Dylan Quinn found Gavin Kelleher unmarked near the far post to poke home the equaliser in the 57th Minute.
Then, what a save followed when after Dave Thompson’s effort was blocked, it came for Matt Brady whose strike had goal written all over it until cat-like reflexes from Dave Og Coleman pushed the effort away.
Good work then from Gavin Kelleher followed when he got the better of his marker before picking out Dylan Lynch to steer wide with a free header.
With just minutes left on the clock, a chance came Matt Brady’s way, but he failed to make contact on O’Buachalla’s delivery from a free kick.
With the game now forced into extra time, it was a credit to see both teams still giving it everything and it was that man Dave Og Coleman who was called upon once again to make a super save from Matt Brady’s effort in the second period of extra time.
But, when it came to the penalty shoot-out, Strand B were more accurate when they ran out 3-1 winners in the end.
Strand B: Dave Og Coleman, Jonathon Bush, Eoghan Buckley, Adam Dunphy, James Doyle, Liam Doyle, Solmon Yurol, Stephen Lonergan, Gavin Kelleher, Dylan Quinn and Vincent Sush Penades.
Subs: Darragh Hughes for Stephen Lonergan (half-time), Dylan Lynch for Vincent Sush Penedes (60), Darragh Buckley for Dylan Quinn (68), Cian O’Flynn for Eoghan Buckley (90).
Coachford B: Mark O’Donovan, Cian Spicer, Tadgh Bradley, Brendan Harrington, Josh Martin, Ardghal O’Buachalla, Daniel O’Driscoll, Matt Brady, Jack Harrington, Pat Walsh and Billy Barrett.
Subs: Cian Herlihy for Daniel O’Driscoll (55), Dave Thompson for Billy Barrett (63), Kyle Lynch for Jack Harrington (70), Darragh Herlihy for Cian Spicer (100).
Referee: Billy Noonan.
Assistants: Tony Thompson and Conchur O’Conghaile.
Fourth official: Grahame Duffy.
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