Fairview Rangers reach Munster Junior decider

Fairview Rangers reached the Munster Junior Cup Final following a dramatic 4-3 penalty shoot-out victory over St. Michaels at Jackman Park on Saturday evening. The game finished 1-1 after extra-time.

The first chance of the game fell to the Tipperary outfit when a Johnathan Kennedy header back across goal was met by Shane Ryan and his scuffed shot was blocked on the line by Clyde O’Connell with John Connery looking to convert.

Fairview responded with a chance of their own when AJ O’Connor forced a save from Adrian Walsh from a free-kick from 25 yards out. With ten minutes remaining in the first period, Brian Fitzgerald replaced the injured Liam Byrnes at left-back.

As we awaited the whistle for half-time, St Michaels took the lead as John O’Brien turned Jamie Enright inside and out before crossing to the back-post for Willie Aarmshaw to head into the opposite corner of the net. It was a deserved lead for Michaels on the balance of play.

The opening chance of the second period went the way of the reigning champions when a cross-shot from goal scorer Armshaw forced Aaron Savage into action to tip the ball over the bar.

James Walsh side were given two yellow cards in quick succession as Shane Ryan and Johnathan Kennedy were booked for fouls on John Mullane and Ross Mann. It was from the latter incident that Clyde O’Connell drilled a the free-kick straight at Walsh.

Immediately after, midfielder Colin Bargary played a perfectly waited pass for the onrushing Armshaw whose shot flew past the post. Jason Purcell replaced John Mullane with Robbie Kelleher in an attempt to get the equalising goal.

With a quarter of an hour remaining, Fairview equalised when when Clyde O’Connell smashed home from close range following a pass from Jamie Enright. It was to prove to be the last significant action of normal time besides a skirmish between both sets of substitutes on the sideline.

Very little of note took place in extra-time bar the first two minutes when a mix-up between O’Connell and Savage allowed Danny O’Brien to nod the ball goalwards but O’Connell recovered to clear.

Fairview won the penalty shoot-out 4-3 to force a final with either fellow Limerick side Aisling Annacotty or Waterford Crystal.

Fairview Rangers; Aaron Savage, Jamie Enright, Mark Slattery (Adam Frahill), Clyde O’Connell, Liam Byrnes (Brian Fitzgerald) (Eoin Duff), Jeffrey Judge, Steven Bradley, John Mullane (Robbie Kelleher), AJ O’Connor, James Fitzgerald (Eddie Byrnes) Ross Mann.

St. Michaels: Adrian Walsh, Chris Higgins, Johnathan Kennedy, Sean Guerins, John O’Brien, Colin Bargary, Shane Ryan (Richie Ryan), Jimmy Carr, Willie Armshaw (Gavin Dillon), David Slattery (David Joyce), John Connery (Danny O’Brien)