Grattan United outlast Donoughmore Athletic to reach Mossie Linnane Cup semi-final

Grattan United 2 Donoughmore Athletic 1

Goals from Anthony O’Callaghan and Anthony Byrne fired Grattan A into the semi-final of the Mossie Linnane Cup at O’Neill Park on Saturday afternoon.

Grattan will now meet neighbours Castleview in the semi-final.

The blustery conditions throughout the game were certainly not conducive for playing any kind of football and as a result, both sides found it extremely difficult to try and control the ball. However, great credit must still go to both sides for contributing to a very good cup tie.

Grattan broke from the off with a promising move that saw Jake Murray cross for Ian Lordan, who was foiled by a block from St. John Forde.

Donoughmore then had a half-chance at the other end soon after when Kevin O’Connell found Jack Murphy on the right – he picked out Gavin O’Sullivan, who saw his turn and strike go wide from outside the box.

And when Morgan Griffin’s delivery had just too much on it for the available Christy Bullman, the ball bounced from a long clearance for Jake Murray, but he failed to get proper force on his header near the edge of the box.

Another long kick-out fell nicely into space for Donoughmore’s Denis Haverty, but he could not get his feet in order, enough to get a shot away.

And after gathering possession, Gavin O’Sullivan did so well to get himself out of a tight situation while confronted with two defenders, but his final effort sailed over.

Despite the elements, the tie ebbed and flowed a bit and from Kevin O’Connell’s corner, Jack Kearney headed over from an acute angle before Donoughmore’s Stephen McSweeny had to be alert to come off his line quick enough to intercept a cross from Ian Lordan that looked destined for the unmarked Anthony Harte.

A chance did fall for Grattan next when a cross from Christy Bullman reached the unmarked Anthony Harte, but he failed to direct his free header while inside the box.

And when Ian Lordan’s corner was cleared, it arrived for Morgan Griffin, who rifled wide with a good effort from 20.

But, the ice was broken almost on the stroke of half-time when from Ian Lordan’s free kick, Anthony Byrne was on hand inside the box to poke home the opener from close range.

Seconds later, what a chance fell for Donoughmore to restore parity, but from Darragh Lawton’s cross into the box, Jack Kearney stole through, but just failed to get a vital touch.

Donoughmore pressed from the off as the second half got underway and from a corner, Kevin O’Connell helped on for Gavin O’Sullivan, who had his back to goal before attempting an audacious overhead kick which went narrowly over.

Minutes later, Kevin O’Connell’s shot-cum-cross caught the attention of Keith Timothy as it narrowly cleared the bar.

But, Grattan doubled their advantage on 52 minutes when Jake Murray’s corner arrived for Anthony O’Callaghan, who picked his spot with a guided header that nestled in the net.

An immediate response though from Donoughmore saw them claw their way back into the tie when Kevin O’Connell’s cross came for Jack Murphy, who headed firmly into the Grattan net to make it 2-1 now on 54 minutes.

Donoughmore tried hard to seek out an equaliser as Kevin O’Connell’s swerving delivery forced Keith Timothy to push over before the Grattan keeper was forced into action again with another punched clearance from Gavin O’Sullivan, but as the conditions worsened, the final chance fell for Grattan when Harte played the ball back for Bullman, who steered his effort narrowly wide.

GRATTAN: Keith Timothy, Morgan Griffin, Gary Coughlan, Anthony Byrne, Anthony O’Callaghan, Michael Kent, Anthony Harte, Ian Lordan, Jake Murray, Adam Lee Reynolds and Christy Bullman.

DONOUGHMORE: Stephen McSweeney, Eolan Forde, St. John Forde, Paul Crowley, Kevin O’Connell, Darragh Lawton, Donnacha Morrissey, Gavin O’Sullivan, Jack Murray, Jack Kearney, Denis Haverty.

Subs: Tadhg Sheehan for Denis Haverty (68), Billy O’Sullivan for Darragh Lawton.

Referee: Jim Hennessy.