We played host to Knockaney of Bruff in the second round of the National Cup last weekend. It was a game that swung this way and then the other until at the very end our lads got their noses in front and held on for a great 7-4 victory.The teams were evenly matched with players of no little skill on both sides. Our opponents had one or 2 lads who were a bit bigger than us and this stretched us at times. We started on top and went 1 up after 10 minutes through Bobby. We probably had 2 other chances before this which we failed to take. For the next 10 minutes we continued to press through Thomas and Jack in the middle who were impressive throughout. Bobby and Christopher were a constant menace with Chris’s darting runs keeping their defence honest throughout. Sean and Dara were able to get past their defence when we played early ball and it really looked like we were going to get a second. But we didn’t and we paid the price when Knockaney through their skillful front line got through for not 1 but 2 goals in quick succession when our defence failed to press the ball in our box quickly enough. But as we said at the start the game swung back to us again and Christopher had the ball in the net after Podge at left back won a tackle,set Jack away-he put Sean in who crossed for Christopher to equalise. Just before half time we were under the cosh but forcing them to shoot from distance,but didn’t one of these shots find it’s way under Brian in goals who was impeccable otherwise. 2nd Half-Jack Mac was detailed a more defensive role in this second half to negate the influence of their attack with Thomas allowed to go forward a bit more with both players having telling effects on the eventual scoreline. We scored a superb 3rd through Bobby again with a scorcher of a shot from the edge of the box after Thomas cut the ball back to him when Carmo had put him through. Amazingly we lost another goal after a mazy dribble by an opposing midfielder and it was 4-3 with 12 minutes to go. We were under pressure too at this time and it was left to our defence of Carmo,Podge,Sean and Antoin with Brian behind them and Jack in front of them to keep the ship afloat at times. For the last 10 minutes we threw caution to the wind and were eventually rewarded with a free at the edge of the box and Bobby hit one of his specials into the roof of the net. So extra time beckoned. By this stage we had introduced Cormac in defence who started many attackes for us and Oisin who provided us with much needed energy. In the 5th minute of the half with us against the breeze Dara somehow put in a cross from a seemingly impossible position for Sean Higgins to finish from close range. Sean was a huge thorn in Knockaney’s side all day and it was no surprise when he ran out of gas at the very end. We turned around for the second half of extra time with a pep in our step and forced a few chances which eventually Oisin finished and it was 6-4.David Lenihan came on for Sean for the last 10 minutes and gave an exhibition of how to keep the ball. In the time he was on he set up 2 goal chances, scored one himself as well as some superb link play out the field.So we ran out 7-4 winners in the end after a very hard battle. Well done to both teams on the day on a thoroughly enjoyable game. Big thanks too to all those who supported us in any way on the day – much appreciated.
Squad: Brian O’Regan, Ciarán Carmody, Antóin Stanton, Dara O’Connor, Sean Donnellan, Jack McCarthy, Cormac O’Brien,Bobby O’Regan, Christopher Murphy, Oisín O’Brien, Sean Higgins, Thomas Lenihan,David Lenihan,Padraig O’Mahony.