LYRE ROVERS 0

TOGHER CELTIC 1

(after extra-time)

GER McCARTHY REPORTS

NIALL Hurley’s last-gasp extra-time winner fired Togher Celtic through to the West Cork League Premier Division Cup final.

In a cup semi-final that won’t live long in the memory, Celtic stalwart Niall Hurley fired home the tie’s solitary goal in the last minute of extra time to set up a decider with Drinagh Rangers.

Having lost to their title rivals in the Premier Division the previous weekend, Togher will face Drinagh in both a Premier Division Cup decider and Beamish Cup semi-final in the weeks ahead.

‘Losing to Drinagh last weekend was a big disappointment but we just had to take that on the chin,’ Togher Celtic manager Johnny Collins told The Southern Star.

‘We are still on course for a cup double, and have Drinagh in both the Premier Cup final and Beamish Cup semi-finals.

‘It’s important that this group of players wins something because we put a lot of effort in this year and kept the run going. We have a lot to prove still, but have two big games with Drinagh to look forward to now.’

Lyre Rovers' Matthew Lyons in control against Togher Celtic's Patrick Collins. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

Lyre Rovers’ season ended with defeat on their home ground on Sunday. A fifth place Premier Division finish was a decent return for a young squad.

‘Our main aim was to stay up in the Premier Division this season and we did that,’ Lyre’s Willie Griffin commented.

‘Finishing fifth wasn’t bad at all considering there were a few results that went against us. We have some good players coming through, like Mattie Lyons and Roy O’Driscoll, and we will be looking to kick on again next season.’

Amid blustery conditions, Togher allowed Roy O’Driscoll to race through after two minutes. The Lyre striker fired the tie’s first opportunity wide. Rovers continued to press and Oisin O’Neill brought the best out of Togher goalkeeper Ciarán Murray shortly after.

Lyre Rovers' Keith Nyhan goes up for a ball with Ethan Hurley of Togher Celtic. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

Playing into the teeth of a strengthening wind, Togher made little headway in the final third.

The visitors settled to their task despite a succession of free kicks and corners failing to yield an opener. Conor O’Neill and Finn Moroney’s defending ensured the score remained unchanged midway through a disjointed opening half.

Celtic’s best opportunity fell to Patrick ‘Bud’ Collins who, having sprung the offside trap, chipped the ball over a stranded Eoin McKennedy. Unfortunately for Collins, his attempt cleared the crossbar.

That let off sparked a Rovers mini-revival. Roy O’Driscoll’s snap-shot forced Ciarán Murray into a superb stop. Mattie Lyons and Kieran Fitzpatrick’s pressing kept the hosts on the front foot as Murray safely gathered Jamie Santry’s long-range strike.

Their opponents remained a threat as evidenced by Patrick Collins’ dipping effort that curled narrowly wide after 35 minutes.

Andrew O’Brien and Gavin Farr fired low efforts beyond the target as Togher finished the half in positive fashion. Lyre responded with Donal Buckley thundering a header over the crossbar from an in-swinging corner. It was scoreless at the halfway mark.

The second period followed the pattern of the first with few clear-cut chances created. Nil-all after 90 minutes, it was into extra-time – penalties looked likely until one minute from the end.

Togher Celtic swung a corner into the Lyre penalty area. The home side’s inability to clear was seized upon by Niall Hurley who rifled the ball into the roof of the net.

That was enough to secure a Premier Division Cup final berth and set up another showdown with Drinagh Rangers.

Lyre Rovers: Eoin McKennedy, Barry Kirby, Jamie Santry, Conor O’Neill (captain), Finn Moroney, Rohan Powell, Donal Buckley, Oisin O’Neill, Roy O’Driscoll, Kieran Fitzpatrick, Mattie Lyons.

Subs: Aaron Griffin, Niall Barrett, Keith Nyhan, James Lynam, Alan McKennedy.

Togher Celtic: Ciarán Murray (captain), Kevin Cotter, Seamus Crowley, Ian Crowley, Luke Hurley, Eoin Murray, Patrick Collins, Niall Hurley, Gavin Farr, Andrew O’Brien, Patrick Collins.

Subs: Micheal Galvin, Ethan Hurley, Daithí Galvin, John Collins, Levi Bosma.

Referee: Paul McDermott.