Blast from the Past. Ballyvolane pip Mayfield in AOH replay in January 2004

Blast from the Past. Ballyvolane pip Mayfield in AOH replay in January 2004

Pics: 17th Jan 2004

Ballyvolane B, derby winners over Mayfield at Whitescross

AOH REPLAY

Ballyvolane B 2 Mayfield United 1

Goals in the 88th and 89th minutes gave second-division Ballyvolane a dramatic 2-1 win over first-division Mayfield United in Saturday’s entertaining Murphy’s Stout AOH Cup replay at Ballyvolane Park.

Anxious Mayfield keeper Brian Ramsell looks as Ger O'Riordan (5)
gets a touch, but the ball goes over.

Mayfield had snatched a late equaliser in the drawn game and Ballyvolane player-manager Derek Mellerick described that as “a sickener”. Derek, though, enjoyed the cure on Saturday, particularly since he administered the first dose of punishment to the visitors.

Mayfield pipped at the end

Mayfield, who lost home advantage when the previous week’s replay was called off because of ground conditions, led since the 21^st minute. But Mellerick stretched out a foot to volley in the equaliser, and then Steve O'Keeffe came up with the winner.

Mayfield's Alan Kelly heads on against Conor Madden.

That late late winner took an age to go in. Dave Keohane crossed from the left and found O’Keeffe. Keeper Ramsell got a hand to the shot and there was an agonising wait as the spinning ball just about made the line and eventually crossed it. Then, the celebrations began. First-division Ballincollig is the next target for the Ballyvolane men. They may be second string, but certainly not second rate.

Kenny ken do it. Mayfield's Dave Kenny works his way through the Ballyvolane defence.

Ballyvolane: Paul O'Sullivan, Conor Madden, Dave Keohane, J.J. Chambers, Ger O'Riordan, Tony O’Donnell, Peter Nugent, Adrian McDonnell, John Magner, Steven O’Keeffe and Kevin O’Shea. Sub used: Derek Mellerick for Magner (at half-time).

Mayfield United: Brian Ramsell, John Warren, Ger Forde, Paul Keegan, Michael Brosnan, Niall O'Sullivan, Tim Twomey, Sean Madden, Alan Kelly, Simon O'Leary and Dave Kenny. Sub used: Trevor Daly for Kelly (81^st minute).

Referee: Michael O’Farrell.

Mayfield's Dave Keohane heads the ball, under challenge from Peter Nugent (left).

Ballyvolane player-manager Derek Mellerick reflected on the game: “A game of two halves is an old cliché but it sums it up today. I thought Mayfield was sharper all over the park early on, and we really created very little. I was glad to get the lads in at half time only one down. I asked them to prove we were better than that in the second half and they responded superbly.”

Mayfield's Sean Madden gets his tackle in.

“Suddenly, we were competing and showing desire, but when we dominated for twenty minutes without reward, I thought it was slipping away. They are a good side, and we were lucky once or twice when they broke, but I felt we fully deserved the equaliser. A second may have been a bit harsh on them, but that’s the beauty of cup football - the underdog can do it on the day.”