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.