Kirwan wins it in the last minute for Kilmac
The Kilmacthomas FC squad celebrate after beating Dungarvan United to win the Kiely Gaule U-14C Cup at Graun Park on Saturday. Photo: Paul Elliott.
Kilmacthomas claimed the Kiely Gaule U-14C Cup after winning a five goal thriller against Dungarvan at Graun Park on Saturday afternoon. Ronan Kirwan came up trumps for Kilmacthomas with a last minute winner. Dungarvan played their park in what was a very entertaining cup final, after leading for most of the game Dungarvan will look back at the game with many regrets.
It was Dungarvan who started the game on the attack. After six minutes Oliver Jan Bazsel got behind the Kilmac defence and pulled the ball back for Fionn Byrne. His shot was on target but Kilmac defender Tom Behan was well placed on the line to clear. Dungarvan took the lead on 11 minutes. Logan Moore fired in a cross that found Fionn Byrne and he side footed home from six yards.
On 21 Dungarvan went two up. After a corner-kick by Danny Kiely caused a goalmouth scramble in the Kilmac box and Tadgh Tutty was on hand to score from close range to double Dungarvan’s lead. Kilmac finished the first-half on top and they were unlucky not to score on 23 minutes. Rory Mulhearne drove in a right wing cross that found Ronan Kirwan but his goal bound shot was saved by Dungarvan keeper Euan O Huallachoin at the foot of the post.
It was Kilmacthomas who completely overran Dungarvan in the second-half as they piled players forward in attack. They got their rewards on 43 minutes as they pulled a goal back.
Ollie Quaelly drove a free-kick deep into the Dungarvan penalty area. Dungarvan keeper Euan O Huallachoin punched the ball clear to the edge of the box but Rory Mulhearne picked up the ball and chipped in into the empty net to bring Kilmac back into the game.
On 47 minutes Kilmacthomas drew level. A long ball over the top of the Dungarvan defence saw Rory Mulhearne beat the keeper to the ball and he slipped the ball home.
Both teams had good chances to win the game but with the game looking to be heading for extra-time up popped Ronan Kirwan to fire home the winner.
The winning goal came in the 70th minute as Kirwan picked up the ball wide on the left wing, he cut inside the Dungarvan defence before hitting a right foot shot that flew into the top corner of the net to give Kilmacthomas a last minute winner.
After the game mary Ray of the Waterford Schoolboy League presented the Kiely Gaule Cup to joint Kilmacthomas captains Gareth O’Callaghan and Rory Kirwan.
Evan O’Sullivan, Tom Behan, Gareth O’Callaghan, Thomas Kirwan, Kian Kiely, Rory Mulhearne, Dale Power, Cillian McHugh, Thomas Power, Ronan Kirwan, Conor O’Reilly, Tommy Whelan, Jamie Condon, Ollie Quaally, Conor Lawlor, Jack Barry, Sean Baldwin.
Euan Huallachain, Sean Fitzgerald, Jack Downey, Tadgh Tutty, Rion Power, Cormac Silke, Danny Kiely, Logan Moore, Fionn Byrne, Oliver Bezsel, Caine Cleary, Cormac Lynch, Bobby Mernagh, John Paul Houlihan, James Beresford.
Zander Coolebear. Assisted by Victor Norris and Adrian Kirwan.
