Grattan v WFTA 18s 25.01.04

Grattanx v WFTAx  18s 25.01.04
Details of game below
(WFTA= West Finglas Tenants' Association)

WFTA

FAI YOUTHS CUP

Grattan United 0 WFTA 2

Grattan United, deprived of the services of ace midfielder John Kearney on the eve of the game, bowed out of the Snickers FAI Youth Cup at O'Neill Park on Sunday, going down 2-0 to a craftier WFTA outfit.

WFTA (short for West Finglas Tenants Association) were strong in all positions and, in the absence of inter-league ace Kearney (who injured a finger at work on Saturday), Grattan were forced to play second fiddle in midfield.

WFTA had most of the first half chances and came close to opening their account in the 35^th minute. Then Mark Murphy latched on to a ball over the top and his well struck effort was making its way into the net with keeper Niall Collins beaten and it took a last minute intervention by Grattan’s outstanding defender Brian O’Sullivan who headed the ball out for a corner.

Grattan were under siege and keeper Collins made a brilliant save from Gavin Quinn. Then, shortly before the break, Brian O’Sullivan came to his side’s rescue again when he put in an excellent tackle on Peter Waters.

Grattan came out in the second half with all guns blazing but WFTA stood firm, though the Dubliners were lucky when Tim O'Mahony mis-kicked in front of goal in the 54^th minute.

WFTA were actually awarded four corners in succession before they got their first goal on the hour. The final flag kick fell to Peter Waters who blasted the ball into the back of the net from close range.

Grattan did their best to try and get one back but were caught in the dying seconds when WFTA’s Gavin Quinn got away down the middle. He won the head to head with keeper Collins and calmly scored to end the hopes of the home team.

Grattan United: Niall Collins, Colin Sullivan, Darren Galvin, Brian O’Sullivan, Anthony Peelo, Tim O'Mahony, Eric Fleming, John Paul Ricken, Stephen Walsh, Jonathon Walsh and Anthony McGee. Sub used: Padraig Crowley for O'Mahony (67^th minute).

WFTA: John Brown, Mark Evans, Aaron McEness, Stephen Connolly, Liam Tiernan, Darren O’Brien, David Sommers, Christopher Barger, Mark Murphy, Gavin Quinn and Peter Waters. Sub used: Anthony Geraghty for Mark Murphy (70^th minute).

Referee: Sean Hegarty

Grattan