Murphy magic lights up final

Super Sean Murphy scores hat-trick as Dunmanway win thriller

Dunmanway Town 5 

Ardfield Rangers 4 

(aet)

ARDFIELD Rangers and Dunmanway Town served up a thrilling SuperValu West Cork Schoolboys League U13 Shield final won by the Mohona club in Drinagh last weekend.

Nine goals, outstanding individual performances and over 80 minutes of intense action was enjoyed by an appreciative crowd at Canon Crowley Park. 

One of the best games of the WCSL season delivered on its promise of being a close encounter with Dunmanway edging the result 5-4 after extra-time despite a heroic Ardfield effort.

Both sides wasted opportunities to break the deadlock during the opening quarter until Rangers hit the front courtesy of Darragh Gough’s opener. Ardfield’s striker raced from the halfway line and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner after 15 minutes.

Dunmanway’s Keith McCarthy had a terrific game in middle of the pitch and played a prominent role in helping his side equalise shortly after falling behind. Sean Murphy took advantage of a defensive mistake to make it one apiece. 

Despite a plethora of goals, goalkeepers Conor Whelton and Sean Bryan each played well throughout the afternoon but could do little about either of the goals netted shortly before half time. Olan O’Donovan made it 2-1 to Rangers with a deft finish after 21 minutes but once again Dunmanway responded, Sean Murphy grabbing his second to send the sides in tied 2-2 at the break.

The tempo and scoring chances of a quality U13 Shield final did not relent during the second period as Dunmanway edged in front courtesy of a wonderful goal. Caolan O’Driscoll spotted Conor Whelton off his line and sent a perfectly lofted shot into the back of the net from 25 yards. 

Town’s joy was short-lived however, when Ameliano Moore burst down the left wing and saw his cross deflected into the net by an unfortunate Dunmanway defender to tie the teams for a third time.

The closing quarter saw both teams push hard for a winner and Dunmanway looked to have secured victory once Ben Quigley converted a penalty to make it 4-3. Admirably, a dogged Ardfield dug deep and responded with yet another equaliser, Darragh Gough finding the net from the edge of the penalty area to send the final to extra-time.

Hot weather conditions and tiring limbs saw two periods of extra-time produce plenty of goalmouth action. Fittingly, it was left to the game’s standout player, Sean Murphy, to decide the outcome by completing his hat-trick and securing the U13 Shield for a delighted Dunmanway Town.

Ardfield Rangers: Conor Whelton (captain), Colm Cuinnea, Ben Linehan, George Cannon, Donnacha Walsh, Olan Murphy, James O’Donovan, Cillian O’Donovan, Olan O’Donovan, Darragh Gough, Sam Coffey, Ameliano Moore, Colm Hayes, Odhran O’Connell, Cian O’Regan. 

Dunmanway Town: Oran McCarthy (captain), Ben Quigley, Rian Murray, Brian Kearney, Sean Kearney, Shane Barry, Adam Russell, Caolan O’Driscoll, Sean Murphy, Robert Kingston, Cathal Murray, Shane Murray, Sean Bryan, Ian Bryan, Eoin Collins, Keith McCarthy, Ava O’Donovan, Rino de Rollo.

Referee: Anthony McDermott.