Champions

Well it finally happened, 11 years after I last saw Inchicore hoist a trophy aloft I can now say I was there when they won The Charlie O'Leary Cup.  There has of course been some success for Inchicore in the intervening years but I had not been on hand, actually make that not in the country to enjoy their success.

Inchicore, who had not played since losing out in The Dalton Cup at Tolka Park, came up gainst HHFC for the second time in the space of a month.  HHFC were themselves coming off a crushing defeat only five days previiously against Galty Celtic in The Sheeran Cup Final which was also played at Tolka Park.

Rob Mahony with his Man of the Match award

On a sunny spring evening in the Dublin suburb of Cabra both teams took to the pitch looking to dispell the demons of their earlier cup final losses.  Inchicore still had an outside chance of winning the league but their focus was on tonights game.  Darren Hennigan showed no sign of nerves as he calmly lobbed HHFCs' goalkeeper to give Inchicore the early advantage.

Ger Marshall goes close for Inchicore

Stephen Fay went close on two occasions and two goal line clearances by a frantic HHFC defence kept the game alive.  HHFC showed they still meant business though as they went close themselves just before halftime.  Not wanting to taste the bitter pill of defeat for the second time in a cup final this season coach Alan O'Brien rallied his troops during the interval and urged them to keep going right to the full time whistle.

Ger Marshall accepts The Charlie O'Leary Cup from Charlie O'Leary

The second half was end to end drama as Inchicore continuously looked to double their advantage but HHFC always looked dangerous on the break as they refused to go away quietly.  There were a couple of heart stopping moments at the death for the Inchicore defence but they held firm until the final whistle when the joyous shouts from the travelling band of supporters could be heard all around Cabra.

Rob Mahony was awarded the Man of the Match award for a superb defensive display and then it was time for the trophy to be handed over to the victors.  Former Republic of Ireland kitman  and all round legend Charlie O'Leary, who the trophy is named after, was on hand to present the trophy to Ger Marshall who raised it high above his head as the team and supporters showed their delight.  It was then back to club sponsor Tom Kellys pub for a night of celebration for the team where the cup was filled and then duly drained by the team!!

Cancelled

I'm still gutted after the close loss in the O'Neills Cup Final twelve days ago.  There were two league games to be played before tonights Charlie O'Leary Cup Final but unfortunately both were cancelled last minute with the six points from both games handed to Inchicore.

The six points came were very welcome for Inchiocre as it sent the league down to the wire with Yellowstone Celtic needing a win to be crowned champions.  It would have been nice to have seen an Inchicore victory on the pitch as itwould have helped forget about that heartbreaking final loss to Yellowstone.

Tonight, out in Cabra, Inchicore finally get their chance to put that loss to bed against HHFC.  Both teams are out for redemption, HHFC suffered a 6-0 loss at the hands of Galty Celtic at Tolka Park last Sunday so it should make for an interesting encounter for Inchicore and their band of supporters tonight.  

Dalton Cup Heartbreak

There was an air of anticipation on the bus to Tolka Park as a band of Inchicore Athletic supporters made the short trip to Drumcondra for the Dalton Cup Final.  After suffering defeat at the hands of Romstar in last years showpiece there was a feeling amongst the faithful that this was Inchicores year.

Alan O'Brien and David McManus discuss tactics

I have to admit I was a nervous wreck as both teams made their way out onto the hallowed turf but skipper Ger Marshall looked like calmness personified as he led his troops out.  The travelling faithful made their voices heard as they roared on coach Alan O'Brien and his troops right form the kick off.  There was some good news in the team line up as Karl Cogan overcame the injury he sustained against the same opposition earlier in the week.

The first chance of a cagey affair fell to 'The Core' only for the post to come to Yellowstone's rescue.  Yellowstone then threatened with a couple of chances of their own but Robbie Nolan was showing no sign of any nerves to keep both efforts out.  The deadlock was broken on thirty minutes when a sweeping Yellowstone move from the back saw their centre forward  beat the offside trap and finish with aplomb to the joy of their supporters in the stands.

Robbie Mahony wins the header

Yellowstone defended for their lives thereafter as Inchicore poured forward for the equaliser.  John Luby had his shot blocked on the line just before halftime and a superb curling effort from Brian Atkinson had Yellowstone worried, as time ticked away, but it curled agonisingly wide.  Stephen Fay then thought he had grabbed a leveller however the referee had blown for a foul in the lead up.

Ger Marshall beats his man

Inchicore eventually ran out of time as a resolute Yellowstone defence sent them crashing to a second successive Dalton Cup Final defeat.  It's not all doom and gloom though with the team now setting their sights on some more league action before a second cup final at the end of the month.  Hopefully todays heartbreak will be well and truly behind us by the time the Charlie O'Leary Cup Final rolls around.

MIdweek Cup Heroics

Karl Cogan in action

Midweek football, it just doesn't get any better than this when Summer rolls in to town.  The only drawback is battling the traffic and trying to remember where the ground is located.  Luckily I managed to find Stanaway Park just in time as Inchicore came up against Yellowstone Celtic.  This game was the semi final for the Carlie O'Leary Cup but also a prelude to this coming Sundays Dalton Cup Final at Tolka Park.

With Inchicore having failed to beat Yellowstone in their league meetings this season and currently second on the league table behind them the odds seemed stacked in Yellowstones favour.  However, a fired up Inchicore led from the front by captain Ger Marshall set out to upset the apple cart and book a second cup final appearance for the season.

Fifteen minutes into the game and last weeks standout performer Adam Ryan gave Inchicore a deserved lead with a cracking shot that beat the keeper to his right.  It was a well deserved lead as 'The Core' outmuscled their much fancied opponents from the outset.

It looked as though the lead would be intact as half time approached until Wes McDermott made an innocuous looking challenge in his own penalty area that went unpunished by the referee.  The linesman thought differently and furiously waved down the ref to award the penalty.  Yellowstone scored from the resulting spot kick and to the large assembled crowds amazement the half time score was locked at one goal each.

Early in the second half Stephen Fay thought he had restored Inchicores but Yellowstones goalkeeper made an incredible save to keep the score tied.  There was then some concern for the black and ambers as Karl Cogan went down with an injury.  Karl was helped from the pitch and hopefully with some rest he can make Sundays Dalton Cup Final.

Sean Blake contests the ball

Karls injury didn't deter Inchicore from going for the win though.  Wes McDermott brought some urgency to the game and found John Luby unmarked with a quick free kick.  Luby then sent one of his trademark balls towards Ger Marshall who thundered a header goalwards.  Yellowstones keeper made another superb save but this time Stephen Fay was on hand to give Inchicore the lead again.

With Yellowstones desperation increasing as the game entered its' final stages Inchicore managed to catch them on the break.  A handball in Yellowstones box gave Alan O'Briens side a penalty of their own which Rob Mahony duly dispatched to end the game as a contest and send 'The Core' to another cup final.

A well deserved win for Inchicore in the fading light at Stanaway Park and a first taste of midweek football for myself in quite a while.  Now with the 'dress rehersal' out of the way it's on to the Dalton Cup Final as both teams continue with this seasons rivalry.