SAINTS BOOK SEMI-FINAL SPOT WITH FIVE-STAR PERFORMANCE!
Division One League Cup – Group B
St. Ita’s booked their place in the semi-finals of the Division One League Cup with an entertaining 5–3 victory over Feenagh AFC in Ashford on Sunday afternoon.
Knowing that a draw would be enough to secure qualification, the Saints welcomed the newly promoted Feenagh side for the final game of the group stages. However, the visitors quickly demonstrated that they were not to be underestimated.
Feenagh got off to the perfect start, taking the lead after just five minutes when their captain, Kieran O’Flynn, found the net. The Saints responded well and restored parity just after the quarter-hour mark. Alan Fitzpatrick got on the end of a cross to finish from close range and bring the sides level.
Five minutes later, the Saints were in front thanks to a moment of real quality from Oisín Collins, who unleashed a superb effort from outside the area, finding the top-left corner and giving the goalkeeper no chance.
The lead lasted just two minutes, however, as Cian O’Connor brought Feenagh level once again. Both sides continued to push for another goal before the interval, with Feenagh forcing a good save from Ethan in the 40th minute, before Alan Fitzpatrick struck the post with an effort from the edge of the area shortly afterwards. Despite the late chances, neither side could find another breakthrough, leaving the score at 2–2 at half-time.
The Saints started the second half with greater purpose and regained the lead in the 52nd minute. Alan Fitzpatrick stepped up from the penalty spot and calmly sent the ball to the goalkeeper’s right to register his second of the afternoon.
Alan nearly completed his hat-trick shortly afterwards, but the Feenagh goalkeeper just managed to reach a Ciarán Dore cross-cum-shot before the Saints forward could connect.
As Feenagh began to threaten again, the Saints introduced fresh legs with 20 minutes remaining, Callum Donoghue and Gavin Reidy coming on for Alan Fitzpatrick and Michael Nolan.
The substitutions soon paid dividends. Ben Mulcahy’s initial header was saved by the Feenagh goalkeeper, but Gavin was perfectly positioned to react to the rebound and tap home from six yards to give the Saints some breathing space at 4–2.
Feenagh refused to give up and continued searching for a route back into the game. A brave save from Ethan in the 85th minute prevented the visitors from reducing the deficit, while TJ Kelly was unfortunate not to add a fifth at the other end when a defender managed to get a touch and take the ball away just as he was preparing to shoot from 12 yards.
That reprieve gave Feenagh renewed hope and, with just two minutes of normal time remaining, Billy O’Gorman produced a delightful chip over the advancing Ethan to make it 4–3.
With the possibility of an equaliser still alive, Feenagh pushed forward in search of a late leveller. However, their attacking approach left space at the back, which TJ Kelly exploited in stoppage time. Racing onto a through ball, he kept his composure to slot home from 15 yards and finally put the result beyond doubt.
Full-Time: St. Ita’s AFC 5–3 Feenagh AFC.
An entertaining contest featuring eight goals, plenty of attacking football and no shortage of drama. The Saints showed great character to recover from an early setback, responded well to Feenagh’s challenges and ultimately demonstrated their quality when it mattered most..
Division One League Cup – Group B
St. Ita’s booked their place in the semi-finals of the Division One League Cup with an entertaining 5–3 victory over Feenagh AFC in Ashford on Sunday afternoon.
Knowing that a draw would be enough to secure qualification, the Saints welcomed the newly promoted Feenagh side for the final game of the group stages. However, the visitors quickly demonstrated that they were not to be underestimated.
Feenagh got off to the perfect start, taking the lead after just five minutes when their captain, Kieran O’Flynn, found the net. The Saints responded well and restored parity just after the quarter-hour mark. Alan Fitzpatrick got on the end of a cross to finish from close range and bring the sides level.
Five minutes later, the Saints were in front thanks to a moment of real quality from Oisín Collins, who unleashed a superb effort from outside the area, finding the top-left corner and giving the goalkeeper no chance.
The lead lasted just two minutes, however, as Cian O’Connor brought Feenagh level once again. Both sides continued to push for another goal before the interval, with Feenagh forcing a good save from Ethan in the 40th minute, before Alan Fitzpatrick struck the post with an effort from the edge of the area shortly afterwards. Despite the late chances, neither side could find another breakthrough, leaving the score at 2–2 at half-time.
The Saints started the second half with greater purpose and regained the lead in the 52nd minute. Alan Fitzpatrick stepped up from the penalty spot and calmly sent the ball to the goalkeeper’s right to register his second of the afternoon.
Alan nearly completed his hat-trick shortly afterwards, but the Feenagh goalkeeper just managed to reach a Ciarán Dore cross-cum-shot before the Saints forward could connect.
As Feenagh began to threaten again, the Saints introduced fresh legs with 20 minutes remaining, Callum Donoghue and Gavin Reidy coming on for Alan Fitzpatrick and Michael Nolan.
The substitutions soon paid dividends. Ben Mulcahy’s initial header was saved by the Feenagh goalkeeper, but Gavin was perfectly positioned to react to the rebound and tap home from six yards to give the Saints some breathing space at 4–2.
Feenagh refused to give up and continued searching for a route back into the game. A brave save from Ethan in the 85th minute prevented the visitors from reducing the deficit, while TJ Kelly was unfortunate not to add a fifth at the other end when a defender managed to get a touch and take the ball away just as he was preparing to shoot from 12 yards.
That reprieve gave Feenagh renewed hope and, with just two minutes of normal time remaining, Billy O’Gorman produced a delightful chip over the advancing Ethan to make it 4–3.
With the possibility of an equaliser still alive, Feenagh pushed forward in search of a late leveller. However, their attacking approach left space at the back, which TJ Kelly exploited in stoppage time. Racing onto a through ball, he kept his composure to slot home from 15 yards and finally put the result beyond doubt.
Full-Time: St. Ita’s AFC 5–3 Feenagh AFC.
An entertaining contest featuring eight goals, plenty of attacking football and no shortage of drama. The Saints showed great character to recover from an early setback, responded well to Feenagh’s challenges and ultimately demonstrated their quality when it mattered most..
