Mallow Town into AOH Cup final after penalty drama against Cathedral Celtic
The Mallow Town side that had a 4-1 penalty shoot-out victory over Cathedral Celtic after it was 0-0 in the semi-final of the AOH Cup at O'Sullivan Park. Picture: Barry Peelo.
Mallow Town are through to the AOH Cup final following a penalty shoot-out victory over Cathedral Celtic after it was 0-0 in a pulsating semi-final at O’Sullivan Park.
With the advantage of a strong wind in their favour, Cathedral Celtic applied the pressure from the off as Johnnie O’Sullivan fired wide from a Kyle O’Callaghan assist.
And when Scott O’Callaghan’s free kick bounced around the box, Michael Blake pounced, but steered straight at Osinski.
A chip into the box by Michael Blake found Ivan Skillington who was foiled by a superb save from Osinski.
Osinski was forced into action again – this time producing another superb save from Scott O’Callaghan’s free kick.
Then, from Michael Blake’s short pass, Eoin O’Connell’s shot-cum-cross came back off the bar before going to safety.
And as Mallow Town tried to play it out from the back, Scott O’Callaghan won cheap possession before curling an effort wide.
The final action in a half that saw Cathedral control was Artur Osinski having to deal with a tricky in-swinger from a corner by Scott O’Callaghan.
Despite playing against a strong wind now, Cathedral threatened twice in quick succession when Kyle O’Callaghan collected from Dale Donoghue before making Osinski work to collect – this was followed by an effort from Scott O’Callaghan when his low effort was also dealt with capably by the Mallow Town keeper.
But, Mallow Town were starting to gain control of the contest now and after Salmeron sent a screamer narrowly past the post, Evan Leahy was in the right place to head an in-swinger from a corner off the line by Eoin Howell.
A great chance fell for Mallow Town next when from Ryan O’Sullivan’s free kick Eoin Howell hooked over from close range.
Another gilt-edge chance fell for Mallow soon after when Daniel Moloney headed over from inside the box from a corner.
Soon after, Kristian O’Sullivan produced a quality save when he tipped over a rifling effort from Mark Tobin.
Mallow were well on top now and the woodwork came to Cathedral’s rescue when Salmeron saw his effort strike off the butt of the upright before being cleared to safety.
Cathedral had a chance in the first period of extra time, but from the spot, Kyle O’Callaghan blazed over.
But, when the rest of extra time failed to produce a winner, Mallow Town proved more accurate in the penalty shoot-out when they ran out 4-1 winners in the end.
Artur Osinski, Scott McCabe, Ryan O’Sullivan, Gallilo Erhabor, Stephen O’Sullivan, Eoin Howell, David Gooney, Tomas Cronin, Mark Tobin, Cian O’Callaghan, Conor Stokes.
Daniel Moloney for Stephen O’Sullivan (59), Jacques Zupancic for Ryan O’Sullivan (67), Roger Zapata for Gallilo Erhabor (86).
Kristian O’Sullivan, Eoin O’Connell, Evan Leahy, Luke O’Mahony, Morgan O’Connor, Johnnie O’Sullivan, Ivan Skillington, Scott O’Callaghan, Kyle O’Callaghan, Michael Blake, Dale Donoghue.
Sean O’Mahony for Ivan Skillington (47), Denis McCarthy for Evan Leahy (64), Corey Ryan for Daly Donoghue (75), Ross Kiely for Luke O’Mahony (90).
Paul O’Sullivan.
Paul Bowdren and Sumate Virak.
App?
