Brave Nenagh unable to halt Annacotty’s double march

Nenagh AFC’s season came to a disappointing end on Saturday evening when they fell to a 3-0 in the final of the prestigious Lawson Cup to Aisling Annacotty at Jackman Park, Limerick.

SOCCER: Limerick District League Lawson Cup Final

Aisling Annacotty 3

Nenagh AFC 0

It was rather unfortunate for the Tipperary side to come up against the form team of the season in Aisling who were crowned Premier League champions for the first time in their history two weeks previous.

Saturday's game would produce another first as neither Aisling or Nenagh had won the Lawson Cup before but the league champions wrapped up a superb season by completing the double.

Nenagh fell at the final hurdle in their last appearance in 2017, when going down to a late controversial penalty against Ballynanty Rovers. They were determined to make amends in this one but try as they might they could not pierce a solid Annacotty back line.

Competing sporting events around the city tempted a smaller than usual attendance for a Lawson Final but those who turned up were treated to some splendid football from two sides.

The early exchanges were understandably tentative, but Aisling gave warning of the threat they posed when Premier League player of the year Tom Kidd picked out Adam Foley who teed up Leon Daly but his shot from fifteen yards was well saved by Nenagh custodian Aaron Savage. Minutes later, from a quick break, Kian Barry fed Theo Joyce but his effort whizzed inches wide of the Nenagh goal.

The Tipperary side began to settle into the game with their midfield trio of Conor McCormack, Saeed Ryan and Eamon White gaining a slight edge. In the 22nd minute, Lee Mowat and Alan Sheehan created a chance for Cillian Scully but his snapshot was well saved by Josh Coady in the Aisling goal.

Nenagh went within an inch of taking the lead on the half hour when a neat one-two involving Eamon White and Kieran Barr saw the latter play a superb ball Ryan Gilmartin who showed immense skill to get by his marker and from all of 25 yards conjured up a bullet like effort that had Coady a mere spectator as the ball smashed off the butt of the upright to keep it scoreless. Ninety seconds later, Gilmartin was the provider for Dan O'Meara who from an acute angle just skimmed the angle.

However, two minutes from half-time it all changed when Ashling were awarded a corner kick. Former Nenagh player Dylan Morrison delivered an in-swinger which was not properly dealt with and Kian Barry pounced to finish from close range.

Nenagh’s response before the break was a shot by Cillian Scully the flew just wide of the target.

Annacotty emerged after the break on the front foot and Theo Joyce was denied by a last-ditch tackle by Nenagh's Kieran Barr.

Just prior to the hour mark, Aaron Savage again came to Nenagh's rescue denying Leon Daly and with the Premier League winners now firing on all cylinders it looked ominous but Nenagh proved stubborn and the single goal was all that separated the sides with 81 minutes played.

The crucial second goal, created by Adam O'Regan and Adam Foley saw Leon Daly make it third time lucky when slotting the ball past Savage.

Aisling wrapped it up four minutes later when Theo Joyce fired a superb free kick over the wall into the top corner.

On the day, the winners had their stars in Adam O’Regan, Adam Foley, Theo Joyce, and Eliah Riordan.

Those to impress for Nenagh AFC were Kieran Barr, Said Ryan, Ryan Gilmartin, and Colm Hayden.

After the game, Limericl DL chairperson Ger Smyth presented the Lawson Cup to the winning captain Adam Foley which sparked great celebration in the park.

Player of the Match: Theo Joyce (Aisling Annacotty)

Aisling Annacotty: Joshua Coady; Raid Mouras, Adam O’Regan, Eliah Riordan, Dylan Morrison, Tom Kidd, Adam Foley, Paul Brennan, Theo Joyce, Kian Barry, Leon Daly.

Subs: Darren Coughlan, Seam Ezekannagha, Cathal Downes, Fiachra Cotter, David Brennan, Andrew Kearney, Shane Donegan.

Nenagh AFC: Aaron Savage; Lee Mowat, Colm Hayden, Kieran Barr, Conor McCormack, Eamon White, Said Ryan, Alan Sheehan, Dan O’Meara, Ryan Gilmartin, Cillian Scully.

Subs: Mathew O’Gorman, Adam Ryan, Eoin Coffey, Kieran O’Brien, Oisin Conacur, John O’Meara, Daniel Connolly.

Referee: M Kennedy.