FAI Intermediate Cup Final Report: St Mochta's 2 - 1 Killester Donnycarney

Andrew Dempsey reports from Tallaght Stadium

St Mochta’s claimed their first ever FAI Intermediate Cup with a dramatic two-one win over Killester Donnycarney at Tallaght Stadium.

Karl Somers’ second half equaliser cancelled out Stephen Chambers’ opener on the half-hour mark.

And in the 81st minute, Denis Moran popped up with a dramatic winner – as he fired his effort home into the far corner of Evan Whelan’s Killester Donnycarney goal.

The result ensures that Brian McCarthy’s side will end the season with a trophy at least – while Killester Donnycarney must now regroup and go again next season.

With a slice of history on the line for both teams, Brian McCarthy’s St Mochta’s came into the game in better form – winning four of their previous five games since the Leinster Senior League restart.

Gary Howlett’s young Killester Donnycarney side on the other hand came into the Saturday night showdown in mixed form – only winning twice in the league since they recommenced their league campaign.

Mochta’s have only lost twice in all competitions this season, with one of their defeats coming against Howlett’s side.

And Mochta’s route to the final saw the Saints play all of their games away from home, defeating Collinstown, St Kevin’s Boys and Malahide United on their way to the decider.



Killester Donnycarney’s route was just as challenging however, as they saw off Liffey Wanderers initially through a replay in the fourth round. They then saw off Kilnamanagh in the last eight at home before dumping out Ringmahon Rangers away from home in the semi-finals.

The game, which was held behind closed doors, began in a lively fashion, with Killester Donnycarney starting the better of the two sides.

They went close through influential midfielder Stephen Chambers, but they went even closer through Eoin Fowler moments after.

Fowler’s low strike was saved by former Shamrock Rovers keeper Craig Hyland after the ball was fed into the striker’s path by full-back Sean Rogers.

In an encouraging opening to the game for Howlett’s charges, they went close again – this time through Josh Scully – as Hyland was forced into conceding a corner.

Mochta’s struggled early on, but they went close after twenty minutes through former Athlone Town defender Gavin Kearney.



Kearney rose highest after Cathal O’Connor’s free-kick – but he was denied by former Cabinteely shot-stopper Evan Whelan.

After nearly turning into the hero at one end, Kearney proved the villain at the other as he was adjudged to have felled former Bohemians under-19 star Stephen Nolan.

Nolan’s trickery was too much for Kearney – and Killester Donnycarney captain Stephen Chambers would make no mistake from twelve yards out, sending Craig Hyland the wrong way.

Brian McCarthy’s Saints reacted well however and went close on two separate occasions – but Gareth McCaffrey could not convert his chances into goals.

Despite that, Mochta’s would have fell further behind if it wasn’t for the defensive block of Alan Byrne who denied what looked like a certain goal with a goal saving clearance as the favourites went in behind at the break.

Byrne once again had to be on hand to deny a second for Killester Donnycarney – this time deflecting a low cross across the face of goal wide.

Mochta’s continued to struggle for time and space on the ball – and they coughed up another opportunity following some loose play – but Scully could not convert after being fed in by Chambers.

While they struggled, Mochta’s levelled just under fifteen minutes from time through Karl Somers.

Somers’ cross from the left found the back of the net in somewhat fortuitous circumstances – as Evan Whelan in the Killester Donnycarney misjudged the flight of the ball in the air.

And the drama was not finished there, as Denis Moran scored an 81st minute winner with an effort from just inside the penalty area.

The result – which ensured Mochta’s first ever FAI Intermediate Cup success – was harsh on Howlett’s Killester Donnycarney who were more than a match for their opponents a showery Tallaght Stadium.

 

St Mochta's: Craig Hyland; Niall O'Reilly, Jason Marks (Jason Grouse 69), Gavin Kearney, Sean Byrne, Alan Byrne; Mark O'Neill, Cathal O'Connor (Dean Kelly 60), Denis Moran (Paul O'Connor 84); Gareth McCaffrey, Karl Somers.

Subs not used:  Paul McCullagh, Adam Kmet, David Somers.

Booked: Cathal O'Connor (31), Alan Byrne (51).

Sent off: None


Killester Donnycarney: Evan Whelan; Sean Rogers, Reece McEnteer, Terry McAuley (Eric Whelan 89), Brendan Lee; Josh Scully (Michael Kelly 81), Mark Ryan, Steven Nolan, Stephen Chambers; Cian McMullen (John Brophy 81), Eoin Fowler.

Subs not used: Cian Whelan, Matthew Taaffe, Gary Kenna, Robert Fay.

Booked: ,Sean Rogers (64).

Sent off: None.


Referee: Barry Fitzpatrick.

Attendance: 0.

ExtraTime.ie Player of the Match: Karl Somers (St Mochta’s).

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