Super 12 Premiers earn Kevin Moran cup final ticket after nine goal thriller

ASHBOURNE UNITED............4 : MALAHIDE UITED...................5

THIS was cup fare of the highest order as the NDSL 12 Premier's qualified for the final of the Kevin Moran Cup final following a pulsating nine-goal thriller at Baltrasna on Sunday morning.

Having knocked the home side out of the All-Ireland earlier in the season, Malahide knew that the home side would be keen to exact revenge but, on a bumpy pitch, it was the Sean Costello skippered side which forged a ninth minute lead when Karl Stacey lofted the ball over the head of the home keeper to find the back of the net.

It should have been the platform to build on but Ashbourne then enjoyed their best period of the game as they rattled in three quick goals to take a grip on the game.

Some poor defending had cost Malahide a hard won lead, but a picture book goal from Jamie Walsh just before the break saw the sides go in at the interval with the bare minimum between the sides.

Walsh then took centre stage as the second half got under way and within five minutes he had tied the score up as his firstly, turned to fire a low shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net and then he chased a long ball down the middle, and, showing great bravery, managed to get the vital touch to loop the ball over the head of the advancing goalkeeper to make it 4-3 to Malahide.

Back came Ashbourne as the cup-tie pressure increased and the yellow shirts tied the score yet again with an expertly executed freekick found the back of the Malahide net in the 44th minute.

The talk of extratime and penalties was on everyone's lips but Karl Stacey had other ideas as he found himself perfectly positioned in the 51st minute to knock home what proved to be a match winner for Malahide.

Having trailed 3-1 in the opening period, it was a remarkable show of grit and determination on the part of Malahide to turn the tables on their opponents, and they had to do so without the services of Sean Nolan who was forced out of the game after a nasty challenge in the opening period.

A rip-roaring game of high octane cup fare and a tremendous result for a super performance,

17/2/2008 - Balbriggan 2 Malahide United 4

This cup tie had it all.

Malahide took the lead early on with a superb finish from Sam O’ Connor. He grabbed himself a second before the interval and Malahide looked to be coasting into the next round. The back four of Robert Mc Mullan, Scott Porter, Sean Nolan and Colm Byrne protected the Malahide goal with their tough tackling and silky passes from the back. In midfield Luke Mc Chord was in command. His ever present midfield partner Ian Kenny covered the miles as usual tidying up and building from the back.

The changes were made at half time with the introduction of Sean Costello, Eoghan Hamill and Jamie Walsh. Eoghan slotted into his normal central defensive role with some nice tidy footwork. Jamie made an immediate impact and nearly scored with his first attack. It wasn’t long though before he got onto the score sheet. It was looking comfortable for Malahide at this stage and the management even toyed with the idea of letting the number 1 netminder in the league out from between the sticks.

However Balbriggan weren’t going to lie down and they bounced back with a goal. Malahide began to pass the ball well using the speed and height of the two big men on the wings – Liam Nolan and Gary Lawlor. The fourth goal came from Malahide shortly afterwards with a deft little chip from the lively Karl Stacey. This was the signal for Paul Mc Bride to leave his post between the sticks, don the number 16 jersey and take command as the midfield general.

Within minutes Balbriggan won a corner which Malahide failed to clear and were punished. Sam O’ Connor was brought back on to try to complete his hat-trick but the drama came at the other end. Paul Mc Bride obviously got mixed up in his codes, having starred for Sylvestors on Saturday when he up-ended the Balbbriggan forward in the box. Tensions were running high on the sideline as the Balbriggan forward stepped up to take the spot kick however he failed to get past the big frame of the number 2 goalkeeper in the league Sean Costello who saved superbly with his feet. The cool Scott Porter was the first to react from the penalty save and hit the ball away to safety. It was a good result for the 12 premier team but a lesson well learned – keep those GAA men off your selection panel !!!!

Darren