Swinford win McDonnell Cup

Price is right for Swinford


Final
Swinford B 2
Campbell 4 (pen), S Price 104

Westport Utd C 1
P Kelly 77
(AET)

Daniel Carey
Milebush Park

A FANTASTIC goal by substitute Stephen Price gave Swinford victory over a gutsy ten-man Westport United in last Sunday’s McDonnell Cup final at Milebush Park, Castlebar.
Extra time was required and, rather like the World Cup final, penalties beckoned before, four minutes into the second additional half, Swinford worked the ball in from a throw-in on the left. Substitute Edward Ryland was involved in the build-up, and Price unleashed a fine drive. The goal prompted a barrage of noise – both cheers and vuvuzelas (made of paper), drawing the curtain on a game that was a damn sight more entertaining than Spain-Holland.
The first half was a tale of two penalties. There were not three minutes on the clock when Westport United goalkeeper David Carroll was sent off for a foul on Declan Campbell. Outfield player Darren Carroll donned the goalkeeper’s jersey and even got a hand to Campbell’s subsequent penalty, but couldn’t keep it out.
One might have expected a dour game thereafter, but despite their numerical inferiority, Westport had a go and enjoyed plenty of possession. United’s Paul Geraghty saw his shot saved, while Ciaran Rocliffe put the ball in the net after a one-two with Colm Kelly, only to have the goal ruled out for offside.
Swinford had their share of chances too, however. Robert Quinn hooked the ball over the stand-in goalkeeper but the ball went wide. David Golden saw his shot blocked, and then teed up Ian Price, who beat a defender but was denied by Darren Carroll.
Ten minutes before the interval, Ciaran Rocliffe was taken down by Swinford captain Declan Munnelly, but Tom Walsh made a fine stop from Colm Kelly’s penalty. Westport put together some decent moves in the run up to half time, but Kevin Moran and man of the match John Noone both defended solidly.
As rain drove the crowd into the stand, Christopher Reddington went close to putting Swinford 2-0 up on the resumption, but Colm Kelly blocked his shot. Westport carved out more chances in the second half, however. Rocliffe headed just wide from a corner from substitute Ciaran Reilly. MicheΡl Geraghty shot wide after getting in behind the Swinford defence. And Tom Walsh made two fine stops, from Shane Coughlan and Reilly.
On the balance of play, Westport deserved an equaliser, and they got it 13 minutes from time. Rocliffe floated in a free kick, the outstanding Pat Kelly apparently got the finishing touch, and substitute PΡdraic Geraghty made sure. All three players were congratulated as the goal was signalled, but after much deliberation, Kelly got the credit on the PA.
The Westport captain might have grabbed a second six minutes later after fastening onto a ball that was bobbling around the Swinford box, but Walsh made his third fine stop, and an additional 20 minutes was required to separate the sides.
There were only half chances in the first half of extra time, but four minutes after the turnaround, Stephen Price got a splendid winner. The shoot-out predicted by one journalist literally seconds earlier wouldn’t be needed after all. Two minutes later, Price performed heroics at the other end, denying Colm Kelly in the process. Westport sub Stephen O’Regan charged down Walsh’s attempted clearance in injury time, but penalties weren’t required. And unlike the World Cup final, there wasn’t a yellow card for everyone in the audience.
A minute’s silence was observed before the game in memory of former Swinford player Jimmy Woodlock.

Swinford B
T Walsh, K Moran, A Price, J Noone, D Munnelly, R Quinn, D Golden, C Reddington, I Price, D Campbell, P Sweeney.
Subs used: E Ryland for Sweeney (67); S Price for D Golden (87); J Golden for Ryland (110).

Westport United C
David Carroll, D Gibbons, S Coughlan, P Kelly, D Donnellan, P Morrison, C Kelly, Paul Geraghty, Darren Carroll, C Rocliffe, M Geraghty.
Subs used: C Reilly for Morrison (58); PΡdraic Geraghty for Paul Geraghty (73); S O’Regan for Gibbons (102).

Referee: M Walsh