AUL: Stand United edge out Banteer to land Henry Healy Cup
The Strand United A side that had a 1-0 victory over CFC Banteer in the Henry Healy Cup final at MTU. Picture: Barry Peelo.
Diarmuid McDonagh’s goal in the 15th minute was enough to land the Henry Healy Cup at the MTU Stadium over the weekend.
It was a real gutsy performance from a Strand A side that had to withstand some pressure from a CFC Banteer side that did lots of good work going forward with the ball, but when it came to the final-third, they lacked that cutting edge that’s needed.
Getting the nod for the man-of-the-match award was Strand A’s Sean Gavin, who was a tower of strength in defence for his side.
CFC Banteer threatened from the off and had an early chance when Stephen Sheehan found a way through, but Gavin Kelleher saved the day with a timely interception before Dylan Quinn failed to get direction on his header from Adam Scott’s free kick.
Then, from James Allen’s corner, the ball was half-cleared and when it arrived for Gavin Kelleher, he steered his effort low and wide of the post.
Strand’s goal arrived when from James Allen’s corner, Dave McAuliffe fumbled and as it dropped for Diarmuid McDonagh, he helped it over the line from close range on 15.
After David Murphy slammed his free-kick against the side-netting, patient build-up-play from CFC Banteer ended with Dave Óg Murphy having to punch clear from a dangerous cross by Cathal O’Donoghue as Stephen Sheehan lurked with intent.
Then, from a long throw by Gavin Kelleher, Dylan Quinn was unlucky to see his header clear the bar by inches.
Soon after, James Allen was unlucky to see his effort from a free kick dip narrowly over.
Banteer started to apply the pressure after this and when Tadgh Sexton presented Stephen Sheehan with an opportunity, the unmarked winger failed to make contact to waste a certain goal-scoring chance before Sheehan saw his low effort blocked this time by Adam Scott minutes later.
Banteer continued to press and when Alan Coughlan collected from Stewart O’Keeffe, his goal-bound effort was charged down by Sean Gavin.
But, as Banteer were on top, Strand A turned defence into attack and when Gavin Kelleher broke on the right, he forced a superb save from Dave McAuliffe with his blistering effort.
When play shifted back to the other end, Stephen Sheehan headed straight at Dave Og Coleman before Tadgh Sexton brought the first-half to a close with an effort that sailed over from a good position.
Banteer applied the early pressure as the second half commenced when Tadgh Sexton drilled a well-struck effort from a free kick narrowly past the post.
And when Stephen Sheehan made a productive diagonal run outside the 18-yard box, Sean Gavin denied him getting a shot away with a well-timed block shortly before Kevin Walsh sent a thumping effort from distance narrowly over.
Harry Buttimer then got down the right flank before whipping in a cross that looked destined for the in-rushing Timmy Murphy, but an alert Dave Og Coleman got down smartly to smother the danger in the nick of time.
CFC Banteer continued frantically in an effort to chase down an equaliser and when Stephen Sheehan got away on the right, his effort to find either David Murphy or Stewart O’Keeffe with a cross was aborted as Kevin Walsh produced a magnificent tackle to deny him the chance to deliver.
CFC Banteer had to continue to chase that elusive equaliser now as Cathal O’Donoghue fired an effort narrowly wide, but there was also a danger of being caught on the break and when Andrew Harkin found space on the right to break with pace, he hurried his effort with a low strike that went wide of the far post.
Strand A were behind the ball now, frantically defending their slender lead as the clock ticked towards its final moments with Stephen Sheehan swivelling from an assist by Tadgh Sexton to fire wide of the target, shortly before referee Paul O’Sullivan brought closure to what was an entertaining Henry Healy cup final.
Dave Óg Coleman, Adam Scott, Kevin Walsh, Dylan Quinn, Jonathon Bush, Andrew Harkin, Diarmuid McDonagh, Adam O’Keeffe, Gavin Kelleher, James Allen, Sean Gavin.
Michael O’Mahony for Diarmuid McDonagh (28), Salman Yurul for Adam Scott (82), Michael Fitton for Andrew Harkin (82), Mikey Jonstone for Dylan Quinn (90).
Dave McAuliffe, Harry Buttimer, Cathal O’Donoghue, Brian O’Keeffe, Brendan Stack, Alan Coughlan, Stephen Sheehan, Tadgh Sexton, Stewart O’Keeffe, David Murphy, Timmie Murphy.
Jack Finnegan for Harry Buttimer (74), Evan O’Brien for Timmy Murphy (82).
Paul O’Sullivan.
Keith Haines, Craig Tillotson and Jim Hennessy.
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