Magical O’Brien hat-trick inspires the Seagulls’
Tramore's Michael Brennan gets past the intentions of Hibernians striker Mark MacManus during their FAI Junior Cup clash at Mitchell Kennedy Park. Photos: Paul Elliott.
This was a FAI Junior Cup game to savour played between two excellent football teams as Hibernians and Tramore served up a Sunday morning treat at Mitchell Kennedy Park as the seaside outfit came out on top after a five-goal extra-time thriller.
It was super sub Dara O’Brien, who was the hero for Tramore as he hit a superb hat-trick as the seasiders came from two goals down to win the tie in extra-time with the winners with four minutes remaining something to write home about.
The game got off to a cracking start with Tramore taking the game to the home side. After two minutes play, Tramore winger Michael Brennan whipped in a low cross, but there was no teammate in the box to apply the finish. Four minutes later, Charlie Binions played in Brennan, but Hibs keeper Craig Cummins raced from his line to make a fine save.
A minute later, Lee Kavanagh played a cross to the far post, but Binions lifted the ball over the keeper but over the bar. Against the run of play, the home side took the lead with 11 minutes on the clock. Dylan Butler raced along the end line and delivered a perfect cross for Antonio Petrovic and the big striker headed powerfully into the net from eight yards.
Tramore continued to press and on the half hour mark they went close again. Michael Brennan produced a peach of a cross and Charlie Binions beat Cummins with a bullet header, but the ball rebounded off the crossbar.
It was Hibs who took up the running as the second period got underway, and they doubled their lead on 49 minutes. Adham Masood took a pass from Jason Keane 20 yards from goal and he hit a wonderful right-footed shot that flew into the net past Gain Buckley.
On 72 minutes Sean Browne pulled the ball back for Sam Sheppard, but the Tramore striker volleyed over from six yards as his side tried to get one goal to bring them back into the contest.
Into the fray came Dara O’Brien and he pulled a goal back on 76 minutes. The Tramore striker picked up the ball with his back to goal but a quick turn saw him shoot low into the far corner of the net.
Hibs had a chance to increase their lead on two minutes later, but Adham Masood saw his effort come back off the post. Dara O’Brien then scored the equaliser and his second of the game on 81 minutes when he lined up a free kick 25 yards from goal after Mark MacManus fouled Brennan, and he hit a rocket strike into the far corner of the net.
The game moved into extra-time and it was Dara O’Brien who completed his hat-trick and hit the winner for Tramore with a stunning strike on 106 minutes.
A right-wing corner-kick from Sean Browne was header cleared to the edge of the box, and the lurking Dara O’Brien hit a cracking right-footed volley that found the far corner of the net for an unbelievable match winning goal as he put his side into the third round.
Craig Cummins, Mark McManus |( Sean O’Keeffe e/t), Lee Hennessey (Craig Keane 70), David Adebayo, Gary Keane, Jason Keane, John St. Ledger ( Daire O’Keeffe 77), David Cooley, Antonio Petrovic, Dylan Butler (Ben Walshe 70), Adham Masood.
Gavin Bickley, Aran O’Brien (Sean Browne 57), Michael Brennan, Conor McGough, Conor Butler (Kealan Graham 77), Lee Kavanagh (Ben Daly 74), Sam Sheppard, Charlie Binions, Jack Ahearn, Jack Deegan, Conor Signorelli Dara O’Brien 74).
Gavin Keyes.
