St Patrick's Athletic 4 - 0 Killester United
Credit:
St Patrick’s Athletic qualified for the final of the Leinster Senior Cup with some comfort at Richmond Park on Tuesday night as they put four past Killester United for no reply.
Sean O’Connor struck twice while Danny North added a penalty and Dave Mulcahy added a late fourth as Pete Mahon’s men turned a tricky assignment into a relatively easy win, despite a gutsy showing from the Leinster Senior League side.
Killester had held St Pats to a 2-2 draw in the first match last week and they showed enough in the opening stages of this game to demonstrate why their Premier Division opponents had such difficulty overcoming them at the first time of asking.
Twin strikers Mark O’Connor and Michael Keogh combined well with their midfield and managed to make reasonable headway against an experienced St Pats back line. But losing one of their three centre backs, Darren Murphy, to injury after just 16 minutes was a significant blow.
Mark O’Connell tested Chris Bennion in the St Pats goal after 22 minutes having been played through by Darren Kavanagh but four minutes later Sean O’Connor picked up a loose ball 25 yards out and curled a sublime shot into the top left corner of the Killester goal.
From this point on St Pats took control and they provided several passages of slick passing football, Daryl Kavanagh and Danny North in particular providing a constant threat to the visitor’s defence.
Evan McMillan might have put Pats two up shortly before the break when his header from a corner was kept out by a reflex save from Anthony McGuinness. But it wasn’t until the 49th minute that they extended their lead. Adam McCormack needlessly took the legs from under Evan McMillan inside the Killester box and Danny North pounded the penalty into the roof of McGuinness’ net.
North should have added a third on the hour when McGuinness saved well at his feet only for the rebound to bounce off Jason Donnerty and back into the striker’s path. But from 12 yards he shot wide of an open goal.
Sean O’Connor put the tie to bed on 76 minutes when he shot home from just inside the area, McGuinness unlucky once again as his superb save from a Danny North header fell into the winger’s path. Five minutes later and Dave Mulcahy had added a fourth, picking up a headed clearance and volleying past the Killester ‘keeper from ten yards.
The closing stages were scrappy as Killester’s frustration got the better of them and referee, Rhona Daly, was forced to hand out a slew of late cards. But the non league side had put in a decent performance against much more experienced opposition and, despite the scoreline, they will feel that they competed well against a side that are not yet out of the race for the 2011 league title.
St Patrick’s Athletic: Chris Bennion; Derek Pender (Neil Harney, 70), Evan McMillan, Brian Shortall, Ian Bermingham; Sean O’Connor (Ian Daly, 78), Paul Crowley, Shane McFaul, Dave Mulcahy; Danny North, Daryl Kavanagh (Anto Murphy, 78).
Subs not used: Gary Rogers, Conor Kenna, Stephen Bradley, Anto Murphy, Ian Daly John O’Connor.
Bookings: Shortall (90), McFaul (92).
Away Team: Anthony McGuinness; Paul Graydon, Adam McCormack, Darren Murphy (Jason Donnerty, 20), Ian Graham, Shane Farrell; Kenneth Curley, Mark Ryan, Darren Kavanagh; Mark O’Connell (Aidan Stanley, 66), Michael Keogh (Shane Dunne, 34).
Subs not used: Anthony Alcock, Owen Toughry, James McGrath, Keith Donoghue.
Bookings: Graydon (56), Kavanagh (59), Ryan (86), Farrell (87).
Referee: Rhona Daly.
Attendance: 400 (estimate).
extratime.ie Man of the Match: Daryl Kavanagh.
Sean O’Connor struck twice while Danny North added a penalty and Dave Mulcahy added a late fourth as Pete Mahon’s men turned a tricky assignment into a relatively easy win, despite a gutsy showing from the Leinster Senior League side.
Killester had held St Pats to a 2-2 draw in the first match last week and they showed enough in the opening stages of this game to demonstrate why their Premier Division opponents had such difficulty overcoming them at the first time of asking.
Twin strikers Mark O’Connor and Michael Keogh combined well with their midfield and managed to make reasonable headway against an experienced St Pats back line. But losing one of their three centre backs, Darren Murphy, to injury after just 16 minutes was a significant blow.
Mark O’Connell tested Chris Bennion in the St Pats goal after 22 minutes having been played through by Darren Kavanagh but four minutes later Sean O’Connor picked up a loose ball 25 yards out and curled a sublime shot into the top left corner of the Killester goal.
From this point on St Pats took control and they provided several passages of slick passing football, Daryl Kavanagh and Danny North in particular providing a constant threat to the visitor’s defence.
Evan McMillan might have put Pats two up shortly before the break when his header from a corner was kept out by a reflex save from Anthony McGuinness. But it wasn’t until the 49th minute that they extended their lead. Adam McCormack needlessly took the legs from under Evan McMillan inside the Killester box and Danny North pounded the penalty into the roof of McGuinness’ net.
North should have added a third on the hour when McGuinness saved well at his feet only for the rebound to bounce off Jason Donnerty and back into the striker’s path. But from 12 yards he shot wide of an open goal.
Sean O’Connor put the tie to bed on 76 minutes when he shot home from just inside the area, McGuinness unlucky once again as his superb save from a Danny North header fell into the winger’s path. Five minutes later and Dave Mulcahy had added a fourth, picking up a headed clearance and volleying past the Killester ‘keeper from ten yards.
The closing stages were scrappy as Killester’s frustration got the better of them and referee, Rhona Daly, was forced to hand out a slew of late cards. But the non league side had put in a decent performance against much more experienced opposition and, despite the scoreline, they will feel that they competed well against a side that are not yet out of the race for the 2011 league title.
St Patrick’s Athletic: Chris Bennion; Derek Pender (Neil Harney, 70), Evan McMillan, Brian Shortall, Ian Bermingham; Sean O’Connor (Ian Daly, 78), Paul Crowley, Shane McFaul, Dave Mulcahy; Danny North, Daryl Kavanagh (Anto Murphy, 78).
Subs not used: Gary Rogers, Conor Kenna, Stephen Bradley, Anto Murphy, Ian Daly John O’Connor.
Bookings: Shortall (90), McFaul (92).
Away Team: Anthony McGuinness; Paul Graydon, Adam McCormack, Darren Murphy (Jason Donnerty, 20), Ian Graham, Shane Farrell; Kenneth Curley, Mark Ryan, Darren Kavanagh; Mark O’Connell (Aidan Stanley, 66), Michael Keogh (Shane Dunne, 34).
Subs not used: Anthony Alcock, Owen Toughry, James McGrath, Keith Donoghue.
Bookings: Graydon (56), Kavanagh (59), Ryan (86), Farrell (87).
Referee: Rhona Daly.
Attendance: 400 (estimate).
extratime.ie Man of the Match: Daryl Kavanagh.
About Simon O'Gorman
Simon O'Gorman began reporting for Extratime in 2010. He remembers Milltown and Flower Lodge and, back in the mists of time, saw Diego Maradona play at Lansdowne Road. He now lives in Co Kildare and … View Full Profile