Blackstone v Knocknaheeny 20.12.03

Blackstone v Knocknaheeny 20.12.03
Match details below
Please keep sharing and retweeting these pics. And, if you can, let clubs that are not on Facebook or Twitter and those that have folded know about them. Please share these photos on the internet as best you can as a lot of work has gone into them. When sharing individual photos on social media, please credit @CorkBilly on Facebook . Be sure too to download and keep copies for your own club.

Knocknaheeny

 CORINTHIANS CUP

Blackstone Rovers 2 Knocknaheeny Celtic 2

(Blackstone won 4-2 on penalties, after extra time)

Third division Blackstone Rovers added yet another scalp to their cup list when they defeated higher ranked Knocknaheeny Celtic, the reigning City Cup champs, 4-2 on penalties after an exciting 2-2 draw. 

The losers controlled large passages of the game and created most of the chances, particularly in the second half. But resilient Blackstone, boosted by a 2-0 first half cushion, held on under severe pressure and took their chances in the shootout.

Blackstone opened their account in the 25^th minute. Derek McNamara got away on the left and picked out Cooney who had slipped his marker and scored from close range. A smashing solo effort put Blackstone two up in the 38^th minute. Alan O’Keeffe ran through from midfield, waltzed past three defenders before whipping a great shot beyond the reach of the isolated keeper.

Knocknaheeny reacted with tremendous spirit and they were rewarded in the 44^th minute when Jason Cronin picked out John Murphy on the near post. Murphy rose unmarked and glanced his header into the right hand side of the goal.

They battled on with tremendous spirit but were still one down with minutes to go. They were now wondering whether a goal would ever come. But it did. In the 87^th minute. Then skipper Twomey got away and his 25 yard shot found the net. It was no more then they deserved.

The visitors failed to keep up the pressure in extra time and so the game went to the dreaded shootout and Blackstone took the tie on a 4-2 count.

Blackstone Rovers: Colin Bevan, Andrew O’Brien, Eric O’Callaghan, Tony Dunlea, Derek McNamara, Alan O’Keeffe, Colin Galvin, Tony Leahy, Francis Cooney, Dave O'Connor and Alan Coleman. Subs used: Gary Reen for McNamara (36^th minute) and Ivan Bevan for O’Keeffe (65^th).

Knocknaheeny Celtic : Glen O’Driscoll, Ken Murphy, Ger Crowley, Gary Peglar, Derek Lynch, Anthony McNamara, John Murphy, Roy Kenny, Pat Sheehan, Niall Twomey and Jason Cronin. Sub used: Eoin Cremin for J. Murphy (77^th minute).

Referee: Eddie Mullins

Blackstone