Soccer: Saints march on against disappointing Dynamos

Lucozade Sports Munster Junior Cup semi-final
TRALEE DYNAMOS 1, ST MICHAELS (SOUTH TIPP) 3

ST Michaels of South Tipperary proved far too strong for a very flat Tralee Dynamos side in this well contested Lucozade Munster Junior Cup semi-final played at Mounthawk Park on Saturday.

Back in 1983 Dynamos travelled to Tipperary and beat St Michaels at the same stage 3-2 before losing the final to Temple United but this time around there was no repeat as the visitors seemed to be far superior.

The issue was never really in doubt as St Michaels dominated in all areas against a very nervous looking Dynamos side that never really looked like causing an upset and in the end, the visitors deserved to advance to a final meeting with their great rivals, Clonmel Town.

St Michaels dominated at midfield where Davy Ryan ran the show along with the hard working Andrew Flynn and Brendan Cronin who troubled the Dynamos defence from the outset.

Mark Fitzgerald and Samier tried hard for Dynamos but they were overrun and the defence creaked. Darren Crotty was in trouble at left full back while Maurice O’Rahilly and Eoin Cassidy had their hands full with Barry Ryan and Aaron Moroney, who threatened on the ground and in the air. In fact, Dynamos seemed unable to defend against corners and free kicks, and were lucky not to have conceded a few more goals.

St Michaels settled quickly as Dynamos looked tentative during the opening exchanges and Davy Ryan gave an indication of things to come when he sent a ball over the top and Cassidy had to fly kick the ball to touch.

St Michaels had a great chance to take the lead in the 12th minute when Brendan Cronin took advantage of a slip at midfield by Maurice O’Rahilly and he crossed for Barry Ryan who powered a superb header just inches over.

St Michaels seemed to have the measure of Dynamos down both flanks with Davy Peters and Cronin causing problems for the Dynamos defence, which was showing signs of wilting. The home side should have made more of a good chance in the 17th minute when Adrian McHugh’s effort was smothered by keeper Ian Bennis.

The visitors took the lead when Aaron Moroney outpaced Crotty as he raced into the Dynamos box and clinically swept the ball past Polish keeper Robert Polowczyk for a goal that exposed Dynamos’ lack of pace at the back.

Five minutes later St Michaels struck again after Dynamos failed to deal with a high ball and when Crotty’s header fell to Moroney, he had time to pick his spot to make it 2-0.

Dynamos tried to resurrect their challenge but it was all in vain as McHugh, Duggan and Samier had half chances but St Michaels looked to have matters well in control.

Anyone expecting a Dynamos fight back in the second half were disappointed as St Michaels were always in control except for the final 10 minutes but by that stage the crowd and the game were well gone.

Ninety seconds into the second half it was game, set and match to St Michaels when Davy Ryan met Barry Ryan’s corner unchallenged to head past a static keeper.

The home side got a consolation goal in the 56th minute when Damien Diggins fired home after a goal mouth scramble but it was never going to be enough, and despite a late fight-back by Dynamos St Michaels qualified for the final.

Ten minutes from time Adrian McHugh and Denny Peters were red carded but it was a sporting contest in the main, despite the referee issuing eight yellow and two red cards.

Tralee Dynamos: R Polowczyk, K McCannon, E Cassidy, M O’Rahilly, D Crotty, B Stack, S Benkoutin, M Fitzgerald, E Duggan, D Diggins, A McHugh. Subs: I Maher for B Stack, P Daly for D Crotty St Michaels: I Bennis, D Cremins, P Breen, J Walsh, C Higgins, D Peters, D Ryan, A Flynn, A Moroney, B Ryan, B Cronin. Sub: S O’Halloran for B Cronin

Referee: L O’Connor (Desmond League)