Aisling Annacotty edge Geraldines in FAI Thriller

Aisling Annacotty were victors in the FAI Junior Cup clash with Geraldines on Saturday but only after the thrilling encounter was settled by a sudden death penalty shoot-out.

Many predicted that the game would be close but the game was full of drama, goals, cards and intensity. It was a great advert for Limerick junior soccer which has been heavily criticised in recent times.

Geraldines started strongly and Irish junor international Danny O’Neill created the first chance as Barry Hartnett fed the rampaging full-back on the break and O’Neill cut inside before shooting straight at Brian O’Connor.

Shortly afterwards, O’Neill returned the favour to Hartnett as the midfielder met the full-back’s free-kick with a header which forced a great diving save from O’Connor.

The home side responded with a chance of their own as a flick-on from Shane Clarke was anticipated by strike partner Aaron Murphy but Evan Moloney was out from his goal quickly to block the shot. Clarke’s physicality caused plenty of problems for Geraldines all evening, particularly as Annacotty looked to find the striker on every posssible opportunity.

The first goal arrived when winger Paudie Walsh picked up possession and was afforded far too much room from the Geraldines midfield before flashing a shot past Moloney from all of 25 yards.

Moloney may feel he could have read the shot earlier but it proved to be the netminder’s last act as he was forced off through a wrist injury a few minutes after the concession of the goal. It was a big blow for Derek Hannon as outfield player Shane Byrne had to don the gloves for the remainder of the game with back-up James O’Connor also injured.

For the final 20 minutes, Geraldines were in the ascendancy and following a goalmouth scramble, both Clifton Carey and Kevin Barry were denied with desperate blocks. Christy O’Neill was denied by the experienced Thomas Clarke as ‘Dines looked to equalise before the break.

The second half was just 10 minutes old when the visitors grabbed the equaliser in bizarre fashion when Shane Cox looked to have totally miskicked at the edge of the box but the winger saw his effort loop over O’Connor and into the net.

Hannon’s side completed the turnaround when a dangerous cross from Cox was bundled home by Hartnett at the back post following hesitation from O’Connor who will certainly be disappointed with the goal.

The Garryowen outfit were unable to hold the lead for more than five minutes as Killian Maloney’s teasing ball into the box was missed by Clarke but pounced upon by Walsh at the back post to tap home from close range. It was to be the last action during the regulation 90 minutes and the game went to extra-time.

Geraldines thought they had won the game when quick thinking from O’Neill and Cox resulted in the latter crossing for Thomas O’Grady whose header was tapped home by Bobby Tier.

Once again, the visitors could not hold the lead for more than 3 minutes as a long ball from Thomas Clarke was once again won by brother Shane and substitute Mark McGrath was the hero as he showed great composure to finish and rescue the game for Annacotty to send it to a penalty shoot-out.

The penalty shoot-out went to sudden death and it was recent signing Cian Collins who was the unlucky man for Geraldines as Brian O’Connor saved his penalty to provide victory for Annacotty.

You can watch the penalty shoot-out below.

Aisling Annacotty: Brian O’Connor, Kennedy N’dip (Tommy Canty), Nathan O’Callaghan, Thomas Clarke, Killian Moloney, Shane Donegan, Brendan O’Dwyer, Paudie Walsh, Shane Clarke, Aaron Murphy, Conor Coughlan (Mark McGrath)

Geraldines: Evan Moloney (Shane Byrne), Danny O’Neill, Clifton Carey (Thomas O’Grady), Bobby Tier, Paul Fitzgerald (Donie Curtin), Cian Byrnes, Christy O’Neill (Cian Collins), Shane Cox, Karl Turner (Dean McNamara), Kevin Barry