Blarney United 1 - 4 Malahide United

Report with thanks to Back of the Net

Malahide United will fly the non-league flag in round three of the FAI Cup after running out comfortable winners against Blarney United at O'Shea Park.

Five goals, two red cards and plenty of other goalscoring opportunities made for an incident packed game including a goal from one of the legends of League of Ireland football, Glen Crowe.

The game started at a blistering pace with Ray O'Leary striking the crossbar in the opening minute for the home side but it was the Dublin club who hit the front on six minutes when Alan O'Keeffe headed home Mark Higgins cross from the right.

Blarney could feel aggrieved to be behind and it took a fantastic last ditch defensive block by Danny Butler to deny Cathal O'Neill from six yards after the winger had been set up by O'Leary.

Man of the Match Alan Doyle almost produced a piece of magic on 24 minutes when his 30 yard free-kick came thundering back off the underside of the crossbar after Mark Cashen had been brought down. 

And they were made to pay just moments later when Richard O'Brien capitalised on some desperate defending to fire home from 15 yards to deservedly draw the home team level.

It was a credit to both clubs for the way they went about it with chances at both ends and just after the half hour mark, Breen was forced to pull off a fantastic save from Barry Slattery after the winger was played through by Mark Cashen.

Five minutes before the break and Glen Crowe went close with his powerful drive drifting wide of the far post, the veteran striker almost punishing some shocking defending from Blarney.

With half-time just seconds away, John Meade made what appeared to be a firm but good challenge on Malahide's Mark Cashen but referee Graham Kelly felt it was late and dangerous and the ex Cobh Ramblers man was shown a straight red card.

It was a defining moment and took the wind out of Blarney's sails and no doubt gave manager Dave Moynihan a completely different half-time talk to what he had been planning.

With it being such a mild night the 10 men were always going to be up against it and Crowe went close again on 47 minutes shooting across the face of goal from a narrow angle.

Just before the hour mark Crowe did get his goal but again there was plenty of controversy with Blarney being denied what looked like a penalty at the other end and Malahide breaking at speed resulting in Mark Cashen crossing for Crowe to head home despite the best efforts of Breen.

It was the killer blow for a tiring Blarney team with the game losing its edge and both sides making changes to try and freshen it up.

Blarney kept going but Malahide were smart in possession and were using the extra man well ensuring the Cork side were working their socks off just to get the ball back.

With six minutes to go substitute Eddie O'Connell was also shown a straight red card for an off the ball incident and from then on in Malahide's ruthlessness seen them add another two goals.

Alan Corcoran on 88 minutes tapping home a Mark Higgins cross and deep in stoppage time, Stephen Donnelly pounced on a ball that deceived Eamon Breen and allowed the Malahide substitute guide the ball into an empty net.

A harsh scoreline in the end with Blarney matching Malahide for long spells but it's the Dublin team who progress in the blue riband competition no doubt hoping for a crack at one of the League of Ireland giants in round three.

Blarney United: Eamon Breen; Kieran Murray, John Lawlor (Jonathan Coker 61), Kenny Coleman, John Meade; Liam O'Connor, Ray O'Leary, Mark Clifford (Anthony Crowley 70), Ivan O'Leary, Cathal O'Neill; Richard O'Brien (Eddie O'Connell 75).

Subs not used: Alan Weldon, Conor Cronin.

Malahide United: Stephen Cashen; Ryan Dooney, Alan O'Riordan, Danny Butler, Paul Perth; Barry Slattery, Mark Higgins, Alan Doyle, Alan O'Keeffe (Patrick Dunne 65); Glen Crowe (Stephen Donnelly 90), Mark Cashen (Alan Corcoran 80).

Sub not used: Karl Moody.

Referee: Graham Kelly (Cork).

Attendance: 100 (estimate).

Man of the Match: Alan Doyle (Malahide United).

Report with thanks to Back of the Net