Sporting Fingal 2 - 0 Kildare County

Colm James and Dinny Corcoran gave Sporting Fingal their two well deserved goals against a woeful Kildare County. James’ strike came after prolonged pressure, only fourteen minutes into the tie. Corcoran wrapped up the victory just ten minutes later. Bad Kildare, Bad Bad!

Sporting absolutely destroyed Kildare in the first half. Even before Colm James had put the hosts ahead, Fingal should have been a couple up. Dinny Corcoran was running amok from the first whistle and when he teed up Christy Doran after three minutes, it took a fine save to deny a goal. Ten minutes later and Doran turned provider for Conan Byrne, but his free header was again saved.

Colm James opener came just one minute later, after Conan Byrne’s ten-yard effort struck the foot of the post. The ball bounced straight to James, six yards out, who simply slotted home and got ready for the next inevitable onslaught on the Kildare goal.

In the twenty-fourth minute Conan was in again after the fantastically named Eoin Powderly slipped in the box, but his effort flew over. Not to be deterred, Sporting immediately attacked again, and scored, again. Paul Byrne flicked on a long ball for Corcoran to run on to - which, obviously, he did. Calm as you like, Corcoran doubled the lead, and again, regrouped for another attack.

Two minutes after the second goal and Christy Doran should have added a third after the industrious Paul Byrne out-witted Ger Robinson, oddly enough in goal for Kildare (don’t ask), and crossed for Doran to head into an empty net. Thinking the better of it, he hit the bar instead though.

Paul Byrne had two good chances before the half ended, however it must be noted that Kildare had a shot (and one on target no less) just before the break. Ciaran Kilduff, that’s it. Half Time 2-0

Sporting didn’t seem too bothered in the second half. In theory, perhaps, they felt that if Kildare didn’t make an effort than why should they. However, to the amazement of the 321 strong (I know…) crowd, Kildare almost made a game of it with just over twenty minutes to go. Ciaran Kilduff ran on to a through ball and muscled Barry Ferguson out of the way before trying to clip a shot past Brendan Clarke into Fingal’s net. However the rarely involved keeper made a fantastic save, proving to us all that he was, in fact, awake.

Sporting upped themselves into second gear though and looked for another goal with Conan, Caffrey, Corcoran and Paul Byrne all enjoying good chances over the next few minutes. Eleven corners, the odd counter attack, plenty of time on the ball, Sporting really were cruising here. Time passed, Sporting played, Kildare watched. Full time: 2-0

Sporting Fingal: Brendan Clarke; Brian Gannon, Philip Byrne (Derek Tyrell 78), Barry Ferguson, John Frost; Conan Byrne (Willie Doyle 81), Colm James, Paul Caffrey, Christy Doran; Dinny Corcoran, Paul Byrne (Peter Hynes 89).
Subs not used: Steve Williams, Brian Morrisroe.

Kildare County: Ger Robinson; Craig Mooney, David O’Connell, Paul Donnelly, Eoin Powderly (Baba Issaka 46); Cathal Brady, Colin Fortune, Thomas Morgan (Trevor Bowers 62), Barry Slattery, Orin Farrell (Colin Murray 69); Ciaran Kilduff.
Subs not used: Philip Hughes, Eoin Kavanagh.

Referee: Phil Caschera.

Attendance: 321

Man of the Match: Paul Byrne (Sporting Fingal).