GREYHOUND BAR CUP FINAL 2006-2007

TRALEE DYNAMOS 2  SPA ROAD CELTIC 1

article by: Christy Leahy

While not the best game ever played in Mounthawk Park this Greyhound Bar Cup Final was testament to the resilience of both teams who played to the best of their respective abilities in horrendous playing conditions. Those who expected Spa Road to roll over were more than surprised by their positive attitude from start to finish, and let it go on the record that they finished in style. Once again referee Kevin O'Regan, ably assisted by Tom Templeman and Brian Healy, had an excellent game. If Spa  Road had a weakness it was in doubting their own ability and at times they lacked the confidence to take on the Dynamos defence opting to give hopeful long balls out of their own danger area, a tactic that their more illustrious opponents revelled in.

In fact Spa Road created the first scoring chance from a Jonathan Loughnane free in the fifth minute. It proved to hot to handle for Derek O'Shea whose punched clearance fell to Anthony Morrisson and his goal bound shot was cleared by Maurice O'Rahilly. 

Five minutes later James Wall gave a beautiful diagonal pass to James Sugrue whose first time effort was saved by Packie Griffin. Jamie McIntyre was having a torrid time trying to get by Paul Donovan and on the other flank a confident Joe Duggan put the shackles on Dynamos danger man James Sugrue. With Morrisson coming more into the game for Spa Road and assisted by the ever-present Jonathan Loughnane Dynamos defence were tested on a number of occasion but Rahilly and Cassidy were unbeatable in the central roles. Packie Griffin was equal to a rasping James Wall shot in the 20th minute and two minutes later Eoin Cassidy made good contact with a David Conway free but was again denied by Griffin. Adrian Quirke interchanged passes with Conway before shooting from just outside the box in the 30th minute but the Spa Road keeper denied Dynamos the lead. Dynamos were starting to stretch the Spa Road defence with patient one touch football and good interaction of passes. In first half injury time Dynamos forced two corners, the second of which Cassidy went forward for. James Sugrue floated in the perfect corner and Cassidy rose highest to head Dynamos into the lead. 

Both teams made half time substitutions. Pa Moriarty came in for the injured David Cunningham whilst Damien Quirke replaced Jamie McIntyre for Dynamos. Spa Road continued to frustrate Dynamos for long periods of the second half. In the 55th minute a Derek O'Shea clearance cannoned off a Spa Road attacker and O'Shea won the battle for possession with Danny Feehan because of his height advantage. Spa Road were showing signs of tiring and their bench wisely used the full compliment of substitutes and one of these Mike Duggan cleared the ball off the line with his first touch. 

Griffin continued in the same inspiring way for most of the second half but was beaten for the second time in the 80th minute. James Wall intercepted a clearance in the middle of the field and passed the ball to the advancing Damien Quirke with pinpoint accuracy. Quirke took on Donovan and crossed to Adrian McHugh who had replaced Damien Diggins, and he obliged with a tap-in from four yards. At this point most teams would have given up but this is where Spa Road are different. They continued to go forward looking for that elusive goal and were awarded a free kick on the edge on the box. Jonathan Loughnane drilled a beautiful free around the wall and over the bewildered Derek O'Shea for an excellent goal in the final minute and in their eyes justice was done, they had scored against the mighty Dynamos.

TRALEE DYNAMOS: Derek O'Shea; 2.Adrian Quirke; 3. Darren Crotty; 4.Owen Cassidy; 5. Maurice O'Rahilly; 6.Jamie McIntyre; 7. James Sugrue; 8. David Conway; 9. Kevin McCannon; 10. Damien Diggins; 11. James Wall. Subs: Damien Quirke for Jamie McIntyre, Theo Diggins for Eoin Cassidy, Adrian McHugh for Eoin Cassidy.

SPA ROAD; Packie Griffin; 2. Paul Donovan; 3. Joe Dugggan; 4. Jonathan Loughnane; 5. David Cunningham; 6. Peter Coffey; 7.John Quirke; 8. Mark Greensmith; 9. Danny Feehan; 10. Anthony Morrisson; 11. Shane Fitzgerald 

MAN OF THE MATCH: Legendry Irsh Goalkeeper Packie Bonner who was in attendance was given the task of picking man of the match. He said in his opinion there was only one candidate and that Packie Griffin who he said , gave a display of top class keeping in very poor conditions. So for an overall outstanding display Griffin accepted the plaudits from his sporting hero and was obviously delighted on winning the award. 

JOHN DELANEY; FAI Chief Executive was also present and recalled the days when he lined out in Mounthawk Park with Tralee Celtic . He congratulated both teams on their performances and was quick to console Packie Griffin telling him he would get a winners medal as his over 35 counterparts had won the Cup earlier in the evening. He also congratulated the KDL on their fantastic facilities and added that he looked forward to meeting all the clubs in Kerry who have developed their grounds and continue to improve their facilities. 

NOEL WHITE;  Admitted at being surprised to find out when going through club records that Dynamos had not won the Greyhound Bar Cup for at least fifteen years. He was particularly delighted for Adrian McHugh and Colm Clifford that they had finally won the Premier Cup Competition in Kerry soccer. After the disappointment of the FAI & Munster Junior Cup campaigns they set their sights on the domestic treble. He was conscious of the fact that QPR could have beaten them and in fact took them to a replay and  while congratulating Spa Road on their performance he continued to say that Killarney Celtic and Lisselton were now waiting in the high grass and that Dynamos would have to be at their best to beat either of them.