FAI Cup Report: Cabinteely 3 - 1 UCD

Cabinteely defeated their south Dublin rivals UCD 3-1 at Stradbrook on Friday night in the FAI Cup.

Goals from two ex-Students Kieran Marty Waters and Ryan Swan came either side of Anthony Dolan’s strike while ex-Cabinteely striker Ben Hanrahan got the only goal for UCD. The convincing victory means Cabinteely advance to the second round of the FAI Cup for the first time in their history.

While UCD do have one last chance to try and keep their faint promotion hopes alive next week, it’s clear Cabinteely’s league season is over and so this cup game offered both sides a chance to start their adventure for a place at the Aviva for November’s final.

Cabinteely started the brighter, with both Dean Casey and Kieran Marty Waters looking liveliest in the early stages of the game.

The two players were involved in a great attack in the second minute when Waters released Casey on the left flank with a sumptuous pass with the outside of his foot. Casey beat Dan Tobin to the ball and played a low cross into the six yard box where the stretching Swan was unable to connect.

Cabinteely remained on top for the first quarter of the game, but eventually UCD’s 4-4-2 formation began to give them the ascendancy and control of the game, but it would take the Students until the 30th minute for their first genuine goal scoring opportunity.

It came from their fourth corner, and  Neil Farrugia’s fine cross to the near post. Robert Manley was there to meet the ball and steer it towards goal, but unfortunately his header went narrowly over the bar.

The game became a real battle for the remainder of the first half, as Maxim Kouogun for UCD and Christian Lotefa and ex-Student Jack Watson picked up bookings for Cabinteely, but two minutes before the break the decisive breakthrough came and it did so against the run of play too.

A Cabinteely counter attack saw Swan pick up the ball and play a good through ball to Waters on the right. He advanced into the box, holding off two defenders before deftly chipping the ball over the ‘keeper.

The ball slowly but perfectly bounced towards the back post and nestled into the net. Cabinteely had a precious lead to take in with them at half time.

UCD looked intent straightaway in the second half as they continued their good play that saw them take hold of the game in the opening. Manley had an opportunity after good build-up play but his tame effort went wide.

The half was only a few minutes old when the second goal came, and it signalled the start of a seven minute period which defined the rest of the game. Again, through a counter-attack, Cabinteely came forward with Waters. He passed the ball from the left flank into the box where Casey was waiting.

He took a shot which Corbet was only able to parry to the right of his goal. Anthony Dolan was the player quickest to react and he was able to tap in the rebound into an empty net and give Cabinteely a two goal cushion.

Yet, Cabinteely weren’t able to settle into this two goal lead before the Students had earned themselves a route back into the game. Farrugia worked for himself a bit of space down the left wing and crossed the ball into the box. Georgie Kelly was there and he composed himself to finish into the bottom right hand corner.

Unfortunately for the Students, Cabinteely immediately struck again. This time Watson got down the right wing and crossed the ball into the box. Swan easily worked himself enough space and curled the ball into the bottom right corner. This was to be the final goal of the game, but there was still lots more action.

Soon after, Cory Galvin was introduced to the field of play and his energy and skill gave the UCD midfield and defence a lot of problems for the rest of the game. Whether it was his introduction or the third goal, the Students looked in disarray and were barely able to keep possession.

Christian Lotefa however was a big part of the bite in midfield which Cabinteely possessed over the Students. He worked hard throughout the game, not afraid to get stuck in even with his early yellow card.

There were more chances for Cabinteely in the final part of the game, with Swan receiving the ball from Casey for what was the best of opportunities. Unfortunately, released on goal and one on one with the goalkeeper, he left it too late to get a shot away and Corbet was already out from his goal to narrow the space and make a good save.

In stoppage time Marty Waters had a goal ruled out for offside, while Farrugia had a shot tipped over the bar by Mick Kelly in goal for Cabinteely.

Waters had once last chance but soon after the referee blew his whistle and Cabinteely, six games unbeaten, marched on to next round of the FAI Cup, where they await their fate from the second round draw which will take place on Monday.

Cabinteely: Mick Kelly; Karl Byrne,  Kevin Knight, Conor Keeley, Robert McGee; Ryan Swan, Jack Watson, Anthony Dolan (Cory Galvin 62), Christian Lotefa, Dean Casey (Evan Galvin 84); Kieran Marty Waters.

Subs not used: Jack Menton, Conor Earley, Daire Doyle, Aaron Robinson, Michael Scott.

Booked: Christian Lotefa (39), Jack Watson (42), Karl Byrne (68), Kevin Knight (77).

UCD: Niall Corbet; Dan Tobin (Sean McDonald 80), Maxim Kouogun, Liam Scales, Evan Osam; Robert Manley (Gareth Coughlan 88), Cian Kavanagh, Timmy Molloy (Conor Crowley 71), Neil Farrugia; Georgie Kelly, Ben Hanrahan.

Subs not used: Sean Prenter, Josh Collins, Sean Coyne, Jack Ryan.

Booked: Maxim Kouogun (33), Conor Crowley (77), Liam Scales (90).

Referee: Alan Carey.

Attendance: 200 (estimate).

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Kieran Marty Waters (Cabinteely).