Arrigan strikes on the double for super Southend
Southend United team celebrate their Azzurri Division 2A League title success after playoff victory over Ballinroad. Photos: Paul Elliott.
Southend United winger Ben Arrigan hit two free-kicks at vital times to give his side victory in the Azzurri Division 2A Playoff Final against Ballinroad played at Ozier Park on Wednesday night last.
Ballinroad were top of the table for three quarters of the season, but Southend came good in the last quarter to force a playoff. In front of a good attendance both teams severed up a cracking game with Ballinroad leading a brief period, but in the end Southend just about deserved their win.
After only two minutes play, it was Ballinroad that went close to opening the scoring when striker Rory Fennell took off from a wide position and raced past the Southend defence, but his shot on the run was saved by the well positioned Southend keeper John Griffin.
Minutes later a clumsy tackle by Southend defender Kevin Cheasty on Fennell saw Ballinroad shout for a penalty, but referee Paul Butler waved away their appeals.
The city outfit slowly worked their way into the game through the hard graft from Adam Crowley and on 26 minutes they were given the chance to take the lead, Ballinroad keeper Ben Veale fouled Stephen O’Brien in the box, but Ethan Hurley lashed the penalty kick high over the bar.
The victors struck the front three minutes later when Ben Arrigan was fouled on the edge of the penalty area and he picked himself up to beat Ballinroad keeper Ben Veale with a clever strike at the near post.
Ballinroad stepped up a gear and drew level four minutes before the sound of the half-time whistle. The Fennell twins combined as a pass from Tommy set striker Rory away down the left and he cut inside to shoot into the far corner of the net.
Ballinroad took the lead at the start of the second half when on 53 minutes when a corner-kick from Jamie Mulcahy was flicked on by Joel White to the far post where captain Adam White came flying in to score with a diving header.
Tom Moran tried his luck with a speculative shot from 30 yards eight minutes later and after the ball seemed to move in the air, Ballinroad keeper Veale was happy to gather at the second attempt. Then Southend made a substitution that would change the course of the game on 63 minutes when Keevan Doherty entered the fray and he made a major contribution to Southend’s victory.
The dribbling runs by Doherty got his side up the pitch and they equalised on 72 minutes. The tricky winger won a free-kick on the left and he found Arrigan free in the box, he headed back across goal and Dan O’Connell side footed home from close-range.
Four minutes later Southend went in front. Ben Arrigan lined up another free-kick this time wide on the right, his well flighted strike completely deceived Ballinroad goalkeeper Ben Veale and the ball flew into the far corner of the net.
Victory was secured three minutes before the finish. Keevan Doherty worked his magic down the left and his far post cross was met by Ethan Hurley, who slammed the ball into the net to secure the win for Southend. After the game Ger Murphy, secretary of the Waterford Junior League presented Southend United captain Dan O’Connell with the League Division 2A Trophy.
John Griffin, Patrick Flood, Tom Moran, Ethan Hurley, Kevin Cheasty, Adam Crowley, Kevin Sinnott (Keevan Doherty 63), Dan O’Connell, Stephen O’Brien, Darren Boland, Ben Arrigan.
Ben Veale, Fionn Hallahan, Mark Boland, Cathal Cusack, Joel White, Adam White (Conor Foley 90), Tommy Fennell, Adam Lawler (Eoin Flynn 69), Rory Fennell, Shane Kiely, Jamie Mulcahy (Eoin Kiely 63).
Paul Butler assisted by Noel Purcell and Luke Brennan.
