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.