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Sun, May 7th: FAI Senior Cup, 1st Round Replay. Blarney SenAs 2, College Corinthians 1. O'Shea Park. KO 10:45.

It took four hours of football to get a clear result in this, the first round FAI Cup fixture, between Blarney's SenAs and College Corinthians. The original fixture had been disappointing for Blarney given that they were 2-0 up with 10 minutes to play. But credit to Corinthians who had fought back with two late goals. That brought us back to O'Shea Park last Sunday morning for the replay. A goal on the 25 minute mark gave Corinthians the lead they wanted, but with 5 minutes to go in the first half, Blarney equalised with a predatory header from Danny Corkery. Blarney had the better of the second half but could not put the game away and so we were treated to extra time where in the 4th minute, Jeremy O'Sullivan  picked up an inch - perfect McCann pass and crashed the ball into the Corinthians net. The game finished 2-1 in Blarney's favour with the enticing next round to be played at home against Derry City on the weekend on May 28th. Before that though we have the small matter of an FAI Intermediate Cup final next weekend against Avondale. KO at 3:00 in Turner's Cross.

It seems that for the past several weeks, Blarney SenAs team has been facing a barrage of high - pressure matches in top - ranking competitions. Perhaps that's what caused the guys to take their foot off the pedal two weeks ago in the 1st round encounter with College Corinthians in Castletreasure. Whatever the reason, the up shot was a perfect, sunny, Sunday morning in O'Shea Park Blarney.
Brian and Finbarr's men came out of the blocks well in front of a large crowd but after their initial work they began to sit back and wait for the game to come to them. They paid the price in the 25th minute when a missed defensive header from Paul Holland landed nicely for a Corinthians' striker at the corner of the box who belted the ball into the back of Collins' net. This seemed to spur the Blarney players on though and in the 40th minute, Crowley crossed the ball in from the right. Corkery's flicked - on header found Goggins on the back post. His miss hit drive bounced up for the predatory Corkery to head home. Perhaps taking a leaf from Blarney's book the week before, Corinthians seemed determined to get their noses in front again before the break and piled on the pressure with well - constructed set pieces in and around the Blarney box. Just on the stroke of half - time, a Corinthians strike on goal was turned behind by Crowley with a goal - line, right footed clearance. Corinthians continued the pressure after the break and a right footed blast from the Corinthians striker went narrowly wide. Soon into the second half, veteran defender Fitzer and midfield stalwart, Moynihan were brought into the fray. This seemed to spur Blarney on and they began to control the game A left footed strike from O'Leary in the 70th minute went narrowly wide. Moments later, determined pressure by Derek Healy led to the ball rolling across the face of he Corinthians' goal only to be cleared by a retreating Corinthians' defender. Perhaps the excitement was too much for referee, who had to be substituted with a calf muscle injury in the 78th minute. Blarney continued their attack and just a few moments later, O'Leary was clear on goal with just the on - rushing keeper to beat. His lob narrowly went over the bar. Claims for a penalty were dismissed, but still Blarney pressed. Just five minutes later, a well - won throw in by Crowley went to Dave Moynihan's feet who played it to O'Leary. Ray's right - footed drive went narrowly wide. Still the pressure continued. On the 86th minute a stretching O'Riordan header, on an open goal, went narrowly wide. In the last play of the game, another Crowley throw went to O'Sullivan on the near post whose header went just inches wide. Extra time ensued and Blarney proved to be the hungrier. Just 5 minutes into the first period of extra time, a strong Blarney build up on the left wing put pressure on the Corinthians defence. The partial clearance came to McCann at the top of the box who flicked the ball on to O'Sullivan. The top - scoring striker let fly with a rasping shot which left Breen rooted to the spot between the Corinthians' posts. 2-1 was how the score line finished and Blarney can now look forward to an intriguing 2nd round fixture, at home to Derry City on the weekend of May 28th. Already the chatter has started regarding whether the match will take place in O'Shea Park or in Turner's Cross. Whatever the outcome of that decision, there are far more important decisions to be made regarding the Avondale match. With no injuries or red cards to worry about, Brian, Finbarr and Con should have a full panel to chose from for the next "most important match of your life" against Avondale on Sunday, May 14th. Kick off will be at 3:00pm in Turner's Cross.

Pictures Courtesy of James Coughlan