With the league now confined to the history books, it was
time to relish in the magic of the cup.
League form – good or bad – was thrown out the window and all eight
teams put their best foot forward in an attempt to reach next week’s Cup final.
All four games were well contested affairs with every single game being decided
by a single goal.
In the first of the 7pm kick-offs, Analog faced Delta. In
their 3 previous encounters this season, Delta had 3 wins from 3 with the
aggregate score reading Delta 14-1 Analog. After an even start to the game, it
looked like Delta were going to make 4 wins from 4 versus Analog after a 22nd
minute goal from Player of the Year Dave McPhillips. A direct ball over the top
saw McPhillips run onto it and finish 1-on-1 versus the keeper. Analog came out
fast in the second half and hit the post in the opening minute of the half. The
rebounded ball was picked up by Analog’s right winger and the resulting cross
was somehow dealt with by Delta to keep the score at 1-0. Analog found the back
of the net in the 35th minute after a cross from the right found
David O’Mahony at the back post. O’Mahony finished to bring the game level. The
Analog tails were up and three minutes later Evan O’Neill cut inside from the
left wing. Finding himself in line with the penalty spot just on the edge of
the box, O’Neill struck the ball sweetly and it found its way in the bottom
corner. 2-1 Analog. Analog kept coming and in the 45th minute, a
break down the left saw the ball played inside. A delicately played through
ball was finished off and Analog started dreaming of Wembley. Delta responded
well and dominated for the remainder of the game. An excellent strike from the
edge of the box in the 55th minute made for a nervy ending. Delta
had their chances in the final 5 minutes but couldn’t quite make it count. Two
minutes from time, a slipped through ball down the side of the box saw a low
hard shot saved by the feet of the Analog keeper. The referee eventually blew
the final whistle and Analog booked their place in the UEFA Cup Final. Delta
ended their campaign with the small consolation of the regular season league
trophy.
A betting man may have fancied the unders in Cutters vs Boca
as the league’s two best defences went head-to-head. A tight and cagey start
saw some half chances from both sides but neither team really dominating. Boca
had some joy down the left side but Cutters did well to keep Boca’s talented
winger at bay. In the 12th minute, a pop shot from close in forced a
good save from the Boca keeper. A single goal scored by Ciaran Downey was enough to secure Cutters' passage into the final. Cormac O'Donovan came out on top in a 50/50 encounter and passed to Pauric OLoughlan who crossed it to Downey. A drilled finish past the Boca's keeper gave Cutters the lead. A single goal was all that was needed to
separate the two sides and Cutters now have a chance to claim the biggest prize
of all in next week’s final. Boca finish their season as “B” League Champions
and with a phenomenal defensive record of just 20 goals conceded in 17 games. Cutters will be hoping to keep their similar record in tact as they march on into the Cup Final next week.
Another game decided by the finest of margins with Lightning
coming out on top vs Lakers thanks to a second half wonder strike by Jason
Sheahan. The keepers were on top in the first half with both #1s dealing with
whatever was thrown at them. Lakers keeper proved solid under high balls and
dealt with the Lightning crosses and corners. The best chance of the half fell
Lightning’s way in the 17th minute. After the ball was turned over
in midfield, an early cross was met by a glancing header but the ball went just
wide. A moment of brilliance from Jason Sheahan in the second half gave Team
Lightning their all-important goal. After an exquisite touch, Sheahan
absolutely pinged a ball to give the Lakers keeper no chance and send Team
Lightning into next week’s final where they’ll face Cutters.
The final game of the evening saw a goal fest as well as a
massive shock as Bluestreak overcame Wembeldines. Wembeldines took the lead
initially after a first half of controlling the play with their
possession-based style of football. Bluestreak were back in it after an
equaliser in the 25th minute. A ball played wide saw both the Dines
keeper and the Bluestreak striker going for it. The Bluestreak man got there
first and managed to cut the ball back to allow his team mate to finish to make
it 1-1 going in at half time. If you blinked at any stage during this second
half, there’s a good chance you’d have missed something. An open, action-packed
game saw Bluestreak strike first in the second half. A great cross field ball
was played to the Bluestreak right winger. After a very good touch, the winger
crossed ball and the chance was finished by the oncoming Bluestreak midfielder.
Wembeldines were moving the ball quickly and getting good quality crosses into
the box for their tall team to attack. In the 45th minute, after a
ball was won back in midfield, Dines had a shot saved but managed to score from
the resulting corner. 5 minutes later, a cross was played in by Wembeldines
from the right hand side. The Dines number ten rose highest and headered the
ball past the helpless Bluestreak keeper. In the 52nd minute,
Bluestreak scored a postage stamp goal. About 20 yards out in the center of the
goal, the ball looked destined for the top corner the second it left his boot.
At 5-3 up, Bluestreak couldn’t quite breath a sigh of relief just yet as Dines
found another goal to make it 5-4. Nobody would’ve been surprised if we saw a
10th goal in the game, but it was cloud 9 for Bluestreak as they
managed to see the game out and book their place in the UEFA Cup Final. With
both Analog and Bluestreak finding victories as underdogs, next week’s final
should prove an interesting and tough to call affair.