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19th Nov: FAI Int Cup R2: Blarney SenAs 1, Carrigaline United 0

On a rain swept O'Shea Park, Blarney's Senior team advanced to the 3rd round of the FAI Intermediate Cup by beating Carrigaline United 1-0. Last April, it took a replay to separate the sides at the semi final stages of the competition but this year Blarney dominated the game and emerged as deserved winners.

Apart from a few outside chances the first 20 minutes of the game was a scrappy affair. Both sides were restricted to shots from outside the box: one from Ray O'Leary who struck left and wide from the right edge of the eighteen yard box on the 10th minute and then a shot from Carrigaline's from the centre of the 18 yard box, this time over the bar.

On the 15th minute, the foul weather that had threatened came through and the wind and rain swept across the pitch. Blarney appeared to cope better and began to drive forward.

On one such foray, Dermot Crowley was fouled 25 yards out from the Carrigaline goal. John Hogan stepped up and whipped a ball in from the right but Dave Moynihan's glancing header shaved the top of the cross bar.

Blarney started to spread the ball wide to the wings and put the Carrigaline back line under continuous pressure. Shots materialised but goals did not. Shots from Ray O'Leary on 25 minutes, John Hogan on 33 and Steven McCann on 35 all went wide. Despite dominating the first half, Blarney had to retire to the warmth of the dressing rooms at half time without the lead.

Blarney started the second half as they had finished the first and just 2 minutes into the second period, Edwin Buckley was fouled to the right of the Carrigaline goal and about 20 yards out. Blarney's captain, Ray O'Leary struck and threaded the ball past O'Brien into the Carrigaline net. 1-0 to Blarney.

Blarney continued to apply pressure. On 50 minutes, Jennings whipped another low ball across the face of the Carrigaline goal, but Goggin, who had replaced Sang at half time, was not able to make contact with the cross. On 60 minutes McCann held the ball up on the right side of the Carrigaline  penalty box and calmly passed the ball out to Jennings whose shot was deflected out for a corner.

More pressure from Blarney led to chances from crosses and shots but Carrigaline resisted. As Blarney consolidated Carrigaline were forced to chase the game. John Harrington was brought on for Colm Jones on 55 minutes, Scott O'Regan was brought on for Cathal O'Shea in the 60th minute and Alan Hennessy was brought on for Roe O'Halloran. Carrigaline put three up front and began to push forward. Blarney coped well however and restricted Carrigaline to half chances.

In the end Carrigaline could not convert and Blarney emerged as deserved winners. Final score Blarney 1, Carrigaline 0.