Blackstone Rovers win the Corinthian’s Cup final against Grattan on penalties in Cobh
Blackstone Rovers players celebrate after being presented with the Corinthian's Cup following a 3-1 penalty shoot-out victory over Grattan B after it was 2-2.
Getting the nod for the man of the match award was Blackstone’s midfield general Paddy Walsh – he showed a magnificent work-ethic and was inspirational in midfield while transforming defence into attack with a terrific array of passing throughout.
It was a tentative opening from both sides as Nigel Walsh broke from his marker before firing in a cross that was just too high for the threatening Dominick Wojtas.
Then, for the next ten minutes or so, the game entered a lull period until Sean Salmon saw his flick towards goal from Warren Forde’s cross, brilliantly saved by Scott O’Shea.
Soon after, Sean Salmon got away from his marker before crossing for Olan Leahy whose headed pass had too much on it for the probing Callum O’Mahony.
At the other end, Gavin Duggan collected from Dominick Wojtas before checking to fire straight at Jake Heaphy.
Paddy Walsh won good possession around the centre before producing a driving run to rifle over with a decent effort.
Walsh was in action again minutes later – this time his headed pass reached Warren Forde in space, but the Blackstone striker drilled low at Scott O’Shea.
Grattan’s Nigel Walsh broke on the right, but after cutting inside, he rifled wide of the target from a narrow angle.
Dominick Wojtas then played a lovely ball into space for the available Gavin Duggan, but an alert Jake Heaphy came storming off his line in the nick of time to prevent a certain goal-scoring opportunity occurring.
And when hesitancy by the Grattan defence to clear from a free kick presented Warren Forde with a half-chance, he rifled over near the edge of the box, shortly before the break.
The game needed a goal badly and it did arrive on 50 minutes when Nigel Walsh collected from Alan Walsh before turning to strike a cracking effort deep into the Blackstone net.
A response from Blackstone saw Paddy Walsh once again win possession in the middle before releasing Eugene Hendrick to fire over from 20.
And when Dominick Wojtas dinked a ball into space for Nigel Walsh, Jake Heaphy came to Blackstone’s rescue when his timely run from goal won him the 50-50 contest over the Grattan winger.
Blackstone threatened at the other end as Warren Forde did so well while surrounded by two opponents before drilling past the post.
It was all square once again when following a hand-ball incident inside the box, Sean Daly planted his effort from the spot to restore parity on 70.
Both sides made big efforts to try and claim the winner before the 90 minutes, but when that failed, Grattan nosed in front in extra time when Ciaran Crowley played it short for Alan Walsh to produce a marvellous finish into the top corner in the 98th minute.
But, after Sean Salmon came so close with a blistering effort, it was all square once again when after Scott O’Shea blocked from Warren Forde’s free kick, Callum O’Mahony pounced to fire home from the rebound for honours even in the 102nd minute.
Eventually the final had to be decided by the dreaded penalty shoot-out afterwards and it was here that Blackstone proved more accurate after running out 3-1 winners in the end.
Blackstone Rovers: Jake Heaphy, Cian Higgins, Shane Harris, Sean Daly, Conor O’Sullivan, Paddy Walsh, Sean Salmon, Eugene Hendrick, Warren Forde, Callum O’Mahony and Olan Leahy.
Subs: John O’Sullivan for Shane Harris (46), Nathan Goulding for Olan Leahy (77), David Culley for Cian Higgins (106).
Grattan B: Scott O’Shea, Sean Harris, Graham Cummins, Steven |Harris, Paudie Crowley, Damien McSweeney, Nigel Walsh, Tomas Murray, Tadgh Lawton, Gavin Duggan and Dominick Wojtas.
Subs: Alan Walsh for Tadgh Lawton (40), Darren Keenan for Damien McSweeney (half-time), Danny Whittington for Nigel Walsh (70), Ciaran Crowley for Dominick Wojtas (85),
Referee: Alan McDonagh.
Assistants: Sumate Virak, Conchur O’Conghaile and Paul Bowdren.
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