Hibs crowned Premier Cup champions
Five Hibernians players now have five premier cup medals each, Sean Whitty, Mark O'Keeffe, Gary Keane, David Cooley and Jason Keane. Photos: Noel Browne
Antonio Petrovic was an inspired second-half substitution from Hibernians manager David Breen as his brace of goals ensured victory in the Jimmy Searson Premier Cup final over Tramore AFC on Sunday afternoon in Ozier Park.
After the Mitchell Kennedy Park outfit had struck first at the midway point of the first-half, they survived a penalty miss three minutes before the break before Petrovic’s goal two minutes after entering the field in place of Mark O’Keeffe put his side in the driving seat.
But with eight minutes remaining on the clock there was another twist as Aran O’Brien dispatched a penalty before Antonio Petrovic capitalised on a mistake in the Tramore defence two minutes after the goal to seal the win for his side in a fantastic cup success.
It was Tramore that created the first chance of the final inside six minutes. Charlie Binions found space down the right to cut into the area, but his low teasing cross was superbly cut out by Craig Keane before the former had a chance to open the scoring on 14 minutes.
Cian Flanagan got down the left-channel before crossing into the centre for Binions, but his effort was wide of the far post.
Hibernians struck for the lead goal on 22 minutes. Craig Keane sent over a right-wing free-kick that wasn’t dealt with by the seaside defence, and Ben Walshe took full advantage at the back post when he beat Gavin Buckley with a right-footed strike.
Lee Kavanagh went close to levelling the contest for his side four minutes later when he took a pass from Kealan Graham out on the left before bringing the ball onto his favoured right-foot only to see his stinging effort whistle inches wide of Sean Whitty’s far post.
David Cooley had a chance for the champions on 33 minutes. He fired a right-footed shot from distance over the crossbar before the Graun Park outfit had a big chance to level the tie from the penalty spot three minutes before the break.
Charlie Binions cut through the Hibernians defence to burst in the penalty area only to be pulled back by Mark McManus that left referee John Walsh with little option in awarding a penalty with a yellow card following, but Conor Butler couldn’t hit the target from 12 yards as his effort cleared the crossbar.
Binions was just off target with the first chance of the second-half on 48 minutes before Dara O’Brien and Lee Kavanagh couldn’t the hit the target with shots from distance. Antonio Petrovic rewarded David Breen within minutes of coming off the bench with a second goal for his side when he found the net with a left-footed shot that beat Gavin Buckley with the aid of the left-hand post.
Tramore won a second penalty to give themselves a lifeline back into the game on 82 minutes when Gary Keane was penalised for a foul on Joe Hawkes and although keeper Sean Whitty guessed right, he couldn’t keep out Aran O’Brien’s spot-kick.
The joy was short-lived as the seaside outfit were the cause of their own downfall as they conceded a third goal two minutes later when Antonio Petrovic took advantage of a misplaced header to keep his composure to finish over the head of a helpless Gavin Buckley.
After the game, James Searson on behalf of the Searson family presented the cup to a delighted Hibernians captain David Cooley with League President John Foskin presenting the player of the match trophy to Hibernians Ben Walshe as the smallest squad in the Premier League left Ozier Park with victory.
Gavin Buckley, Aran O’Brien, Cian Flanagan, Tom Carney (Joe Hawkes 27), Conor McGough (Zach Shanahan 76), Dara O’Brien, Kealan Graham (Calum Barry 69), Conor Butler, Charlie Binions, Lee Kavanagh, Ben Daly.
Sean Whitty, Craig Keane, Sean O’Keeffe, Mark McManus, Gary Keane, Jason Keane, Daire O’Keeffe, David Cooley, Johnny St. Ledger, Ben Walshe (Adham Masood 89), Mark O’Keeffe (Antonio Petrovic 61).
John S Walsh assisted by Noel Purcell and Gavin Keyes.
