Villa dethrone the champions in dramatic finale
The Villa players and management celebrate their Waterford & District Junior League Sheridan's Div.1 Cup Final win over De La Salle. Photos: Noel Browne.
It was far from a classic but the Sheridan’s Division 1 Cup Final between De La Salle and Villa played at Ozier Park on Tuesday evening ended in dramatic fashion as the Connor’s Park club snatched victory from the jaws of defeat after a sudden death penalty shootout.
When it looked as if Ivan Sinnott’s breakthrough goal, in the final two minutes of the extra-time, was going to see his side keep their hands on the cup that they won in 2023, Dylan McGuire popped up with an injury-time equalising goal before a remarkable shootout when the way of Villa thanks to Scott Keappock.
After a tentative opening to the game, the first chance arrived for De La Salle with 22 minutes on the clock. Ivan Sinnott sent in a long throw from the left that was cleared into the path of Paddy McGrath, but his first-time right-footed effort whistled wide of the left-hand post.
De La Salle had another half chance to strike the front on 33 minutes when Alex Casey whipped in a brilliant left-wing delivery that found the head of Sinnott in the centre of the goal, but his flicked header was wide of the far post.
The Connor’s Park outfit created their first significant chance of note six minutes into the second-half. Conor Coad sent over a left-wing free-kick that found head of Patrick Fitzgerald, but his effort was blocked off the line by Tommy McGrath.
There was a big chance for Villa to strike the front on the hour mark. Coad picked out the run of Kieran Sadey from another dead ball play, but the centre forward failed to hit the target with a close-range header.
Coad was again involved in a moment that could have seen Villa open the scoring when he played a short free to Evan Ryan on 72 minutes, but his dipping right-footed shot from outside the area just cleared Jack O’Rourke’s crossbar.
Nils Lukuku was the next player to go close for his side three minutes later when he latched onto another Conor Coad through ball this time on the left-side, but keeper O’Rourke was equal to the task when making a smart save at his near post.
Lukuku had another chance to break the deadlock ten minutes from time when he found space for himself out on the left, but his left-footed shot fizzed wide of the near post before Ivan Sinnott fired wide with an effort from distance late on.
It came as no real surprise that this tight final failed to produce a goal and it looked as if it was going to continue in that fashion until finally the Villa defence was breached on 108 minutes. John O’Donoghue flicked a long ball into the path of Ivan Sinnott on the left-side of the area, and the captain held his composure to fire past Scott Searson from inside the area.
That golden strike looked certain to give the Williamstown club the win, but there was another twist three minutes into added time. After Kieran Sadey blazed wide of the target with a chance seconds earlier, a looping cross into the penalty area fell for Dylan McGuire, and he applied a close-range finish.
The penalties that followed were just as dramatic as already stated where 18 penalties were needed to settle the tie with five of them missed including Villa’s first two in the shootout. Harry Sharp, Ivan Homoki, Dylan Meagher, Dylan McGuire, Nils Lukaku, Noah Aimiuhi and Scott Keappock netted for Villa with Tonny McGrath, Gavin Power, Tynan Corrigan, Patrick Pender, John O’Donoghue and Michael Fahy successful for a De La Salle side that were left leaving headquarters wondering what could have been.
After the game, Noah Aimiuhi received the Sheridan’s Division 1 Cup from Seaghan Walsh on behalf of the sponsors with Scott Searson picked up the player of the match accolade with the celebrations ending in Ozier Park at half ten following a remarkable finale in the Centenary Year of the Junior League.
Jack O’Keeffe, Patrick McGrath (David O’Keeffe 107), Kevin Coghlan, Lee Doheny, Gavin Power, Tynan Corrigan, Ivan Sinnott, Tommy McGrath, Darragh Power (Michael Fahy 110), Darren O’Loughlin (Patrick Pender 21), Alex Casey (John O’Donoghue 89).
Scott Searson, Daniel Purcell (Ivan Homoki 68), Dylan McGuire, Conor Coad (Scott Keappock 84), Noah Aimiuhi, Patrick Fitzgerald, Shane Keenan, Oghosa Osarhieme (Harry Sharp 56), Kieran Sadey, Evan Ryan (Dylan Meagher 100), Nils Lukaku.
Ian O’Keeffe assisted by Eamonn Russell and Chris Maher.
