SANDYHILL SHANGAN: 2-1 WIN TO CLAIM THE LFA OVER 35 TITLE FOR THE FIRST TIME
TEMPLEOGUE UNITED: BRAVE PERFORMANCE BUT HAD TO GIVE SECOND BEST ON THE DAY
LFA OVER 35'S CUP FINAL: SANDYHILL/SHANGAN 2-1 TEMPLEOGUE UNITED
A competition that has been farmed by Amateur League teams over the years, the LFA Over 35's final, played at The AUL bowl was once again an all AFL fixture.
Sandyhill/Shangan taking on an impressive Templeogue United outfit that still have an Amateur Cup final date to come. The men from exit 11 were quickest from the blocks and went in front after 8 minutes.
By DERMOT CLARKE
Mark Leech rose to power home a Robbie Collins cross from the right with his head. Mark's dad wasn't bad, Mick Leech one of, if not THE most prolific striker in the history of the League of Ireland. Mick was in attendance and looking like he could still a job if needed.
OPENER: MARK LEECH OF TEMPLEOGUE UNITE HEADS HIS SIDE INTO AN EARLY LEAD
Anyway Sandyhill set about levelling matters immediately and on 14 Alsie Ray got in behind but blazed over from not too far out. It was, unfortunately, a sign of things to come for the normally deadly Ray.
A couple later David Frewen fisted away a blistering drive from Steo Coleman, the rebound fell to Ray but he let it slide under his foot and the chance was lost.
On 21 a Ciaran Ryan free-kick eventually fell to Derek Barry who fired a scud just wide. Shangan continued to surge forward with Templeogue, it seemed content to soak it up and hope for a break.
On 29 a decent move involving Paul Delahunty, Ryan and Ray culminated in Coleman's goalbound effort being blocked away and just on the blow for Jaffa Cakes, Collins and Leech combined again but Jason Cosgrove blocked the latter's effort.
GOAL: PAT GROVES NETS SANDYHILL SHANGAN’S EQUALISER. PICS: EAMON SCOTT/STRIKEONLINE
One-nil to the southsiders at the break then and 4 into the second period Dan Murphy headed for goal on a mazy run but just as he enterd the box Frewen hared out to block his effort.
On 58 however the sides were level. Coleman with a corner out left and Pat Groves rose to head to the net. The smart money was now on the men from Ballymun.
The bench lit up with smiles apart from Alan Judge that is as Pius Tierney urged his men forward.
Another Ray effort went just wide before Sandyhill hit the front on 63. Coleman again the provider,
MURPHY WINS IT: THE WINNING GOAL FOR SANDYHILL SHANGAN AT THE AUL COMPLEX.
wriggling into space before sliding the ball into the path of Murphy who slid in to poke the ball home.
Three minutes later an extraordinary passage of play almost brought about the clincher for the 'Fish Bowl' boys. Michael Mooney crashed an absolute thunderbolt from all of 28 yards against the crossbar, the power was such that it rebounded almost to the edge of the box where Coleman met it with his head and his effort also thudded off the crossbar.
Templeogue weren't done just yet and with 8 left an amazing side-winder effort from Darragh Hollingsworth sailed just over and as Templeogue threw the kitchen sink at it Ray and Coleman went close in the closing stages on the break.
Sandyhill/Shangan were deserved winners on the day and Patrick Groves collected the man-of-the-match award as well as a winners medal for the high kings of Leinster from Ballymun.
Sandyhill/Shangan: Jason Cosgrove, Alan Groves, Derek Barry, Ross Carrig, Patrick Groves, Michael Mooney, Daniel Murphy, Ciaran Ryan, Stephen Coleman, Alan Ray, Paul Delahunty, Darren Nolan, Vinicius Terco Dias Alves, Alan Kinsella, Sean O'Reilly, Patrick Reid, John Ryan, Graham Conway.
Templeogue United: David Frewen, Barry Leech, Gavin Kenny, Edward Orr, Ian McDermott, Gavin Quinn, Stephen Caverly, Darragh Hollingsworth, Mark Leech, Gerry Bambrick, Robert Collins, Paul Ellis, Gavin Jones, Robin Jones, Leigh Coffey, David Harvey, Declan O'Connor, Neil Doyle.
Referee: Wojciech Ponarad. Assistants: Michael Lynch, Sarah Dyas, Gary Leeper(4th).
