Coachford cruise to fifth AOH Cup in a row despite brave Mallow Town effort
The Coachford A players celebrate after being presented with the AOH Cup following their 4-1 victory over Mallow Town. Picture: Barry Peelo.
Coachford A lifted the AOH Cup for the fifth time on the bounce by beating League 3 champions Mallow Town at the Munster FA Turner’s Cross Stadium.
It was a big and brave performance from a Mallow Town side that left nothing on the pitch, but the power, pace and enterprise of the Premier champions proved too much for the League 3 champions as they demonstrated once again what clinical finishing is all about.
Getting the nod for the Man of the Match award was Coachford’s Sean O’Sullivan who produced a tireless performance with lots of endeavour in the engine room.
Mallow Town started brightly as Kennedy Plaku played a neat ball into space for Eoin Howell to drill off a defender and win a corner.
Minutes later, Stephen Murray needed to be sharp off his line to prevent an almost perfect through ball from Mark Tobin reaching Plaku in space.
At the other end, Luke Casey then exchanged passes with Cathal O’Neill before seeing his effort deflect off Ryan O’Sullivan to go out for a corner.
Coachford started to settle on the ball more now and when Mark Murphy collected from a quickly taken free kick by Luke Casey, his low effort was well held by Osinski.
Mallow Town strung a few passes together next which in the end forced Keith Linzell to make an important interception and clear from Kennedy Plaku’s low cross into the box before Aaron O’Flynn fired straight at Stephen Murray.
But, a lovely passage of play ensued minutes later which led to Coachford’s first.
Cathal O’Neill played it short to Luke Casey, who exchanged passes with Neil Moynihan before lifting a pinpoint delivery for Mark Murphy to head firmly into the Mallow Town net on 23.
Then, two minutes later, Coachford doubled their advantage and once again it arrived following another improvised move.
Dara Lynch found Cathal O’Neill in space on the inside – he picked out the available Neil Moynihan who played it short for Luke Casey to control before slamming into the top corner on 25.
Mallow Town responded with their own brand of neat play next as Kennedy Plaku dinked one on for Caleb Crone to play it ‘round the corner for Mark Tobin, he found Luis Lopez in space outside the box, but a timely tackle from Sean O’Sullivan denied the Mallow midfielder a goal-scoring opportunity.
But, when a delivery from Matthew Bradley arrived in the box, Luke Casey challenged with Artur Osinski and from the loose ball, Cathal O’Neill dinked an audacious effort over Osinski to nestle in the net for Coachford’s third on 35.
Coachford were in control now and Neil Moynihan was unlucky when, after exchanging passes with Cathal O’Neill, he rifled a decent effort narrowly wide of the post.
But, it was 4-0 at the break when from Luke Casey’s free kick, Keith Linzell headed home from close range.
What a start it was for Mallow Town in the second half when Daniel Moloney unleashed a cracking effort that cannoned down off the underside of the bar before nestling in the net to make it 4-1 on 47.
A misplaced delivery from Osinski almost presented Cialan O’Sullivan with an opportunity, but Caleb Crone came to Mallow Town’s rescue with an excellent tackle to save the day before Luke Casey rifled agonisingly wide following good work from Sean O’Sullivan.
Luke Casey came close with a cracking effort from a free kick that whistled inches wide before drilling wide with another good effort later.
Coachford were in control now as they continued on the front-foot and it took a top-drawer save from Osinski when he saved from a stinging effort by Cialan O’Sullivan before Adam Murphy headed inches past the upright.
Coachford continued to press and when the ball broke for Sean O’Sullivan following a 50-50 challenge between Luke Casey and Artur Osinski, he was denied when Caleb Crone made a headed clearance off the line.
Mallow Town refused to be bowed and could have had one near the end, but Stephen Murray produced a fine save from Zupancic’s effort shortly before the final whistle.
Stephen Murray, Dara Lynch, Matthew Bradley, Paul Mullins, Keith Linzell, Sean O’Sullivan, Neil Moynihan, Mark Murphy, Luke Casey, Cathal O’Neill, Cialan O’Sullivan.
Adam Murphy for Cathal O’Neill (59), Diarmuid McCarthy for Cialan O’Sullivan (72), Gary Murphy for Mark Murphy (80), Eric Murphy for Neil Moynihan (87), Flynn O’Mahony for Luke Casey (88).
Artur Osinski, Ryan O’Sullivan, Scott McCabe, Steve O’Sullivan, Conor Stokes, Eoin Howell, Luis Lopez, Caleb Crone, Kennedy Plaku, Mark Tobin, Aaron O’Flynn.
JJ Zupancic for Steve O’Sullivan (26), Daniel Moloney for Conor Stokes (45), Cian O’Callaghan for Ryan O’Sullivan (70).
Stephen Moore.
Paul O’Sullivan, Paul Bowdren and Alan McDonagh.
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