Nenagh pip Newport in Cup final

SOCCER: Limerick District League Division 2B Eamon Ray Cup Final

Nenagh AFC ‘B’ 2

Newport Town ‘C’ 1

(After Extra Time)

Report: Pat Sheehan at Jackman Park

Nenagh AFC ‘B’ and Newport Town ‘C’ produced a thrilling encounter in the Limerick District League Division 2B Cup final on Saturday with Nenagh coming out on top, after extra time.

The unique pairing of two Tipperary sides in the decider ensured it was treated as a local derby with just a kick of a ball between the sides after nearly two hours of action.

With little between the two teams in the league and a 3-3 draw the most recent result between the sides, it was always going to be a close affair and the early exchanges saw defences taking no chances in clearing their lines.

Newport had a good chance to open the scoring, but Jay Ryan’s shot produced a stunning save from Nenagh keeper David O’Keeffe.

The Mulcair men were not to be denied, however, and they broke the deadlock when their diminutive striker, Ryan netted his 35th goal of the season, racing past his marker onto a through ball from Cormac McDonnell to fire home.

The game continued to ebb and flow but clear-cut chances were at a premium. Nenagh emerged after the restart determined to get back on terms and got their reward in spectacular fashion. Liam Maher played to Kieran O’Brien who let fly from thirty yards and the ball flew to the back of the net giving Newport keeper Stephen McCormack no chance.

No further goals in ninety minutes forced the game to extra time and it was Nenagh who came to the fore. In the first period, Matt O’Gorman collected the ball fifty yards from the opposition goal and took off on a run past a number of would-be challengers, into the area before firing back across goal into the top corner for superb goal.

Newport continued to push for an equaliser but with Darragh McDonnell in dominant form at the back, Nenagh held firm to win the game.

David O’Keeffe, Matt O’Gorman, Kieran O’Brien, and Eddie Ryan also shone for the winners. Newport had fine performers in Ryan, who always looked the most likely source of a goal, McDonnell, and Dan Egan.

Nenagh AFC ‘B’: David O'Keeffe; Darragh McDonnell; Peter Ryan; Dylan Carey; Jamie Finn; Marcin Kolkawski; Liam Maher; Diarmuid Fitzpatrick; Matt O'Gorman; Eddie Ryan; Kieran O'Brien.

Subs: Josh Glennon; John Butler; Sean Doyle; Christy O'Meara; Kieran Barrett; Leigh Carroll; Igor Gurjanov.

Newport Town ‘C’: Stephen McCormack; Dave O'Brien; Dan Egan; Chris Carmody; Stephen Carroll; Shaun Bonfield; Thomas Carroll; Eoin Looney; Jay Ryan; Cormac McDonnell; Alan Kelly.

Subs: Ciaran Carey; Jordan Clancy; Conor Brett; Joe Shanahan; Ciaran O'Sullivan.

Referee: Tom Joyce