This article is from page 76 of the 2009-10-06 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 76 JPG
WHO says that there is no entertain- ment in local soccer? This league cup final would put it up to any Pre- miership game in terms of goals, last gasp tackles and anxiety for on-look- ing fans.
SUUUUE ROD biccceM (once elem. eurvelo nm DE the end after extra-time but this game had so many twists and turns Kilrush will certainly feel that they left this cup behind them.
It was Tulla who got the ball rolling when they grabbed the first goal of the match. After some good build up play, striker Keith Lenihan nodded his team into an early lead.
Kilrush were not in the mood for putting their heads down and they immediatly fought back. After 25 minutes Stephen O’Gorman equal- ised, cooly lobbing Shane Collins in the Tulla goal after some great pass- ing between Brian Harte and Trevor SET Tea
Both sides continued to attack and create chances but another goal was not found before the referee brought the first-half to an end.
A few minutes into the second-half Tulla were back in front. This time it was a Crusheen man Alan Brigdale who restored the advantage for Tulla. His long range effort crept over the line when Kilrush goalkeeper Joe Griffin failed to deal with his at- Koa oelel me
Kilrush’s frustration was clear but once again they must be admired for how they got back into the game again. It only took them ten minutes to find a second equaliser. Sub Eoin Fitzgerald who finished off a good move, again with Clancy and Harte at the centre of the move.
The momentum had now certainly switched over to the west Clare men. They still looked very positive and had completed their mission when they went in the lead for the first-time after 65 minutes. Clancy throughout
had been fantastic in build-up play but this time he switched roles from playmaker to goal scorer. He picked up a loose ball outside the box and hammered his shot into the corner of the net.
Tulla had lost the lead twice and were now trailing while Kilrush had completed a miraculous recovery so a tense final quarter was certainly brewing. Kilrush looked to have held on to claim this title but incredibly there was one more headline maker in the 95th minute. Again the impor- tance of subsitutes was evident when Andy McMahon claimed a dramatic levelling goal. Kilrush with another defensive error had blown it and ex- tra-time was now the only solution.
It was clear after the first-half of ex- tra time that both teams had tired but their was still some clear cut chances being constructed.
Man of the match James O’ Hagan missed a number of header opportu- nites but he certainly made up for this
in the opening minutes of the second period of extra-time. An inswinging corner kick was headed on target and Tulla had restored their lead.
Kilrush spirits had been damaged beyond repair. Brigdale with his sec- ond finished off the game a few min- utes later with another cool finish.
Tulla had the game and the first di- vision league cup in hand.