Intermediate Cup Final Report: Liffey Wanderers 2 - 2 Cobh Wanderers (Liffey win 5-4 on penos)

A dramatic game at the Aviva Stadium ended in a penalty shootout as Anthony Gray put away the winner to give Liffey Wanderers the victory in the 2017 FAI Intermediate Cup Final 5-4 on penalties, after the game ended 2-2.

Clayton Maher opened the scoring in the second half for Liffey Wanderers before a late equaliser from Conor Meade sent the game to extra time.

Aidan Roche made it 2-1 before again a last minute equaliser gave Cobh a lifeline and sent the game to penalties.

There it was the unfortunate Michael O'Shea who had his penalty saved by Liffey goalkeeper Philip O'Connor, and Gray slotted his home to hand Liffey the trophy just two years after lifting the FAI Junior Cup.

The first chance of the game fell to the Dublin side in the 4^th minute with Aidan Roche bursting in behind the Cobh back line, but a superbly timed tackle from John Meade in the box spared any early blushes.

Both Conor and Kenneth Roche would go close in the opening ten minutes as Liffey started the brighter of the two sides.

It was in the 16^th minute, however, when Cobh thought Ian Stapleton had given them the lead. The music played and Cobh cheered, not taking note of the linesman's flag.

A long range effort from Eoin Hastings was stopped with a strongarm by O'Connor, but Stapleton reacts quickest to tuck away the chance. He was, however, judged to be slightly ahead of David Andrews, and the goal was ruled out.

A peppering of shots and through balls were launched forward by Cobh as the Cork side began to take hold of the game, but Stapleton would be caught offside four consecutive times as the well-drilled Liffey defence, controlled by O'Connor behind them, held them back.

A cheeky effort in the 36^th minute came courtesy of Lee Roche when, after a foul by Davic Curran on Kenneth Roche, he turned and attempted to catch Cobh goalkeeper Michael Devine off his line from 60 yards with a clever quick free kick. The ball sailed well over.

One final chance came in the dying embers of the first half as Michael O'Shea combined effectively with Conor Meade down the right flank, but couldn't finish on the edge of the box after a clever one-two, but Cobh were doubtless the better team for most of the first period.

The second half began at a reduced pace and not as much life in the affair as both teams defences, once again, came to the fore, but it was sheer persistence that brought the opening goal for Liffey.

A ball in by Lee Maher from the left wing from a free kick was met powerfully at the back post by Maher, whose header thundered off the crossbar, but he followed it in to finish the rebound header and had Liffey in front.

In the 77^th minute Aidan Roche nearly had a chance from an Eoin Hastings slip but Devine swept up behind him to save his side.

With just five minutes to go in normal time, a shallow cross from Alan O'Flynn found Stephen Gleeson 10 yards out and a clever backheel flick draws a save on the goal line from O'Connor. He can't parry away, and Meade rushed in to slam home the rebound and send the game to extra time.

We didn't have to wait long for an extra time breakthrough as an unfortunate slip from the up to then impenetrable Brian Fitzgerald let Aidan Roche in who curled an effort smartly home past Devine one on one to give Liffey the lead once more.

In the dying embers of the game Cobh threw everything forward, and a Fitzgerald header was not cleared and fired in by Meade with just seconds remaining in the second period of extra time to send the game to penalties.

With the sides tied 4-4 in the shootout, O'Shea's effort was saved by O'Connor low to his right, which is exactly where Gray would slot home the winning spot kick and give the Dublin side their first FAI Intermediate Cup success, and complete a remarkable rise for Liffey Wanderers.

Liffey Wanderers: Philip O'Connor; Dean Young (Daniel O'Connor 90), Dylan Roche, David Andrews, Anthony Gray; Clayton Maher (Anthony O'Connor 78), Carl O'Brien, Conor Riddick, Kenneth Roche (Adam Deegan 107), Lee Roche; Aidan Roche (Glen O'Connor 112).

Subs Not Used: James Mooney, Dean Kinsella, William Keegan.

Booked: Clayton Maher (56), Aidan Roche (80)

Sent-off: None

Cobh Wanderers: Michael Devine; Eoin Hastings, John Meade (Eddie Nolan 21), Brian Fitzgerald, Kyle Dowling (Peter Nolan 66); Owen Kinsella (Stephen Griffin 63), David Curran (Shane Geasley 82), Michael O'Shea, David Stack (Alan O'Flynn 75), Conor Meade; Ian Stapleton.

Subs Not Used: Shane Hallahan, James Stoat.

Booked: Conor Meade (68, 120+1)

Sent-off: Conor Meade (120+1)

Referee: Eddie Reilly

Attendance: 3,500 (est)

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Phillip O'Connor (Liffey Wanderers)