Saturday February 13, 2010
Aisling Annacotty (0) 3 Corbally United (3) 3
Daragh Linehan
St. John Dundon
Sean Malone
A large crowd witnessed an amazing match in Killonan on a bright, brisk morning last Saturday. As scintillating a match hasn’t been witnessed since the Champions League final of 2005. Corbally United played some exquisite football in the first half to hold a three goal lead at the break only to end up sharing the spoils with an Aisling Annacotty team full of spirit, character and determination.
AC Milan, never mind Liverpool, could not have lived with Corbally in the opening period. William Henn was orchestrating play from the hole behind the potent strike force and it was no surprise to see the home net bulge three times. It could have been more except for Luke Maher doing just enough to prevent a Corbally attacker scoring. Harry Healy had his hands full on the left flank but pit in some timely tackles and used the ball wisely when in space. James Kelly also made a telling contribution in stemming the Corbally flow, and launched a few attacks that could have yielded greater reward. Daragh Gallagher was ploughing a lone furrow up front and was forced to drop deep collect the ball and help relieve the pressure on his defence.
After the interval it was different affair. Aisling came out of the blocks with fire in their bellies. Sarah Shortt epitomized the Annacotty team’s grit, chasing back forty yards to win possession, and turn defence into attack. Constant pressure yielded a free kick on the edge of the Corbally box. Never a good idea with Daragh Linehan in the opposition ranks. The midfielder stepped up to notch his seventh goal of the season. Now it was Game On! A strange goal followed. From a throw in St John Dundon scored with a header from a headed one-two with Bryan Sheehan. Aisling had the bit between their teeth and driven from the back by Sam Foley and Shane Morgan, they were testing Burke in the Corbally goal. Cullen at centre back was called on to use his defensive prowess on a number of occasions to repel the Mulcairsiders. At the other end of the pitch Gearoid Hartnett kept the Corbally strikers quiet, while James Halas marshaled his area and swept up any scraps that escaped Hartnett.
The equalizer duly arrived. Brian Cunningham threaded the leather into the danger zone.. Michael Griffin shielding the ball, held off two Corbally defenders before rolling the ball invitingly for Sean Malone, arriving like a steam engine, to rifle into the top of the net.
The game wasn’t over yet. It required a Bobby Moore like tackle by Paul Koumah to prevent a Corbally attacker through on goal and ensure Aisling got rewards for their hard work.
Aisling Annacotty: Gearoid Hartnett, Luke Maher, Harry Healy, Shane Morgan, Sam Foley, St John Dundon, Brian Cunningham, James Kelly, James Halas, Sarah Shortt, Daragh Gallagher, Sean Malone, Daragh Linehan, Michael Griffin, Paul Koumah, Bryan Sheehan.
30th January, 2010
Aisling Annacotty 3 Coonagh United 1
Daragh Linehan (2, 1pen)
Daragh Gallagher
Aisling Annacotty continued their rich vein of form with a third win in four matches. They have scored thirteen goals in those three victories.
Aisling pushed forward from the off and an early penalty saw them in front. Cathal Humphries raided down the left, switched play to the right where Sarah Shortt cutting inside with menace was brought down. Daragh Linehan stepped up to net the spot kick.
A timely interception by Luke Maher, turned defence into attack as he released St John Dundon. Dundon dribbled the leather into the Coonagh box and when a tackle came in, the ball broke to Daragh Gallagher who neatly tucked it into the bottom corner. In so doing Gallagher became the eight Annacotty player to score this season.
Annacotty continued to be comfortable. In the middle of the defence, Sam Foley was strong in the tackle and Shane Morgan used the ball with purpose, while Brian Cummingham covered every blade of grass to keep Aisling in control.
The second half was a much tougher assignment for the team in Yellow and black. Daragh Linehan caused a bulge in the ol’ onion bag with a thunder bolt from a free kick outside the box, but from there Coongh took the initiative and had the bit between their teeth. Apart from some rampaging runs down the right by Sean Malone and a snap shot from Bryan Sheehan, the home side spent most the time defending. Harry Healy and his compatriot, Liam Conroy, on the opposite flank reading of the game broke up numerous Coonagh attacks. Gearoid Hartnett was a rock. It was only the most skillful of play that could work the ball past the big centre half. James Kelly was consistent in his covering but it was only a matter of time before the goal was breached. On two occasions it did look like Aisling would be restarting from the half way line but James Halas, first with an amazing save at his near post and later with a long legged reaction put the ball behind for a corner.
Finally, Coonagh got what their toil deserved and were on score sheet with a smashing goal in the final minutes.
Paul Koumah impressed as he came off the bench in the final quarter to continue his familiarization with his new team mates.
Aisling Annacotty looked very good when in possession but need to be more disciplined when their opponents have the ball.
Aisling Annacotty: Bryan Sheehan, Sarah Shortt, Shane Morgan, Sam Foley, Luke Maher, James Halas, Brian Cunningham, Daragh Linehan, Daragh Gallagher, St John Dundon, Cathal Humphreys, Sean Malone, James Kelly, Harry Healy, Shane Morgan, Liam Conroy, Paul Koumah.
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