Aaron Broderick and James O’Sullivan earn Grattan United a 2-1 victory over Waterloo
The Grattan United A side that had a 2-1 victory over Waterloo FC in their Premier clash at the Whitechurch Community Grounds.
Both sides worked tirelessly in what was a tight contest, but Grattan A did just enough to secure all three points in the end.
After a bustling start, the Loo’s Liam O’Leary rifled a decent effort over before the next 15 minutes or so saw both sides in a titanic battle to gain the upper-hand as Ronan O’Brien sees his effort from distance soar over.
Grattan started to have the lion’s share of possession without creating any real danger, but it was Waterloo who had an opportunity after winning a corner – Shane Twomey was unattended when he headed Ronan O’Brien’s delivery wide near the back post.
Good work from Aaron Broderick on the right flank resulted in Christy Bullman gaining possession and when he worked it down the channel for the supporting Jamie Gardiner, he whipped in a cross that was destined for James O’Sullivan until Lorcan Clinton intervened with an important interception.
But, what a cracker we saw next – showing minimum back-lift, Ronan O’Brien unleashed an unstoppable thunderbolt that dipped over Keith Timothy to hand the Loo the advantage on 33.
O’Brien was in action again minutes later – from a lengthy clearance, the ball bounced kindly for him, but his half-volleyed effort skimmed off a defender before going out for a corner.
Before Liam O’Leary made Keith Timothy collect at the second time of asking with his low effort.
With the wind to their backs now as the second half took off, Grattan enjoyed a good bit of possession and when Michael Kent dispossessed Liam O’Leary, he found the unmarked Christy Bullman in a good position, but the striker’s effort to flick goalwards never went according to plan.
Grattan continued to threaten and the woodwork came to Waterloo’s rescue when David Curtin saw his cracking low effort from a free kick cannon back to safety off the butt of the upright.
What an opportunity fell for Grattan though soon after – a free kick from David Curtin arrived for Anthony O’Callaghan who knocked it on to James O’Sullivan, but from right in front of goal, he scooped his effort over.
Grattan continued to chase that elusive equaliser as David Curtin helped on to Aaron Broderick who hooked on to Bullman, but the striker just failed to get a vital touch on it near goal.
But, the equaliser did arrive when from a long kick-out, Aaron Broderick produced a lovely deft finish when his delicate chip dipped over O’Regan’s head on 70 minutes.
Waterloo had a half-chance when from Liam O’Leary’s corner, Fionn Hall headed wide while unattended.
Then, after Evan Lynch Hornibrook came close with a fizzing effort, Keith Timothy was called upon to produce a point-blank save from Ronan O’Brien.
It was all so frantic now as Christy Bullman found himself in a one-on-one situation with O’Regan, but he failed to beat the Loo keeper.
But, the decisive moment arrived when from a free-kick, Aaron Broderick knocked it on for James O’Sullivan who steadied before rifling home the winner near the end.
Waterloo: Conor O’Regan, Sean Browne, Shane Twomey, Fionn Wall, Lorcan Clinton, Jack Homan, Liam O’Leary, David Cremin, Sam Kelleher, Ronan O’Brien and Shane O’Shea.
Subs: Aaron Dorgan for Sam Kelleher (61).
Grattan Utd: Keith Timothy, Michael Kent, James Gardiner, Anthony Byrne, Anthony O’Callaghan, David Curtin, Aaron Broderick, Tristian Foley, Christy Bullman, Kyle Higgins and James O’Sullivan.
Subs: Evan Lynch Hornibrook for Jamie Gardiner (76), Jamie Cotter for Tristian Foley (82).
Referee: Paul Bowdren.
App?
