Castleview into AOH Cup final after James Green's extra-time winner against Donoughmore

Castleview A 4 Donoughmore Athletic 3 (aet)

James Green’s winner in extra time booked Castleview's spot in the AOH Cup final, at the Mardyke.

It was a very close affair and was no surprise to the large crowd that attended to see the tie go the distance.

Donoughmore got off to a dream start. After Gavin O’Sullivan headed into the arms of Ryan McCarthy from a free, they found themselves in front when a high ball caught the View defence, which allowed Billy O’Sullivan through on goal, as McCarthy advanced, O’Sullivan dinked his effort over the View keeper to fire his side ahead after just five minutes.

But, poor defending from Donoughmore’s defence allowed Lorcan Cahoon help home the equaliser on 13 minutes. Minutes later, further sloppy defending from Donoughmore presented Castleview with their second as Jamie O’Donovan had the easiest of tasks to steer over the line.

It was all happening now for Castleview and soon they found themselves 3-1 up when once again, slack defending gave Lorcan Cahoon a chance near the edge of the box to plant his effort home.

Jamie O’Donovan broke down the right and after cutting inside, his effort to pick out the available Cahoon fell short near goal.

The View were experiencing a good spell now and Cathal Sheehan needed to be smartly off his line to prevent Jason Magee’s pass from reaching Lorcan Cahoon and minutes later, the Donoughmore keeper was called upon again to make an important interception when he cut out Wayne O’Leary’s low cross from reaching Cahoon.

But, Donoughmore pulled one back when neat intricate play progressed them into the View’s defensive third before Adam Dinan picked out Billy O’Sullivan, who fired low past Ryan McCarthy and make it 3-2 on 40.

The first threat in the second half came from Donoughmore when Billy O’Sullivan pushed it on for Adam Dinan, who slipped it sideways for Gavin O’Sullivan to smack a decent effort wide.

And when Gavin O’Sullivan helped on to Donnacha Morrissey, he was denied by a top-drawer block from Corey Crowley.

A forceful free kick from distance by Stuart Murphy proved to be a tricky affair for Sheehan as he had to stretch to tip over for a corner.

When play shifted to the other end, Kevin O’Connell tried to get his shot away from outside the box, but Stuart Murphy got a huge important block in – in the nick of time.

At the other end, Jamie O’Donovan collected from Jason Magee before hooking over from a narrow angle.

But, it was all square again when from Billy O’Sullivan’s cross, Mark Lucey glanced his header into the corner to produce a finish of pure class on 76.

Both sides had chances to win it in normal time then – Billy O’Sullivan crossed for Mark Lucey, who just failed to get a touch by the narrowest of margins as Ryan McCarthy collected before Castleview’s James Green hooked over with the goal at his mercy at the other end.

But, in the second period of extra time, a driving run from Jason Magee took him past three defenders before laying it off for James Green to help home the winner in the 105th minute.

CASTLEVIEW A: Ryan McCarthy, Ciaran Dennehy, David Golden, Corey Crowley, David Burke, Danny O’Donoghue, Wayne O’Leary, Stuart Murphy, Jamie O’Donovan, Jason Magee, Lorcan Cahoon.

Subs: Craig O’Mahoney for Ciaran Dennehy (57), Jamie Mason for Lorcan Cahoon (70), James Green for Wayne O’Leary (75).

DONOUGHMORE: Cathal Sheehan, Paddy O’Sullivan, Emett Aherne, Olan Forde, Tom Griffin, Shane Healy, St. John Forde, Gavin O’Sullivan, Donnacha Morrissey, Billy O’Sullivan, Adam Dinan.

Subs: Jamie Twomey for Paddy O’Sullivan (51), Paul Crowley for Shane Healy (54), Kevin O’Connell for Donnacha Morrissey (61), Jack Murphy for Adam Dinan (61), Mark Lucey for Billy O’Sullivan (75).

Referee: Jim Hennessy.

Assistants: Paul Bowdren and Robert Brosnan.