Early Harps blitz thwarts three in a row for Sallypark

SOCCER: North Tipperary & District League – Tipperary Cup Final

BT Harps 4

Sallypark 2

Report: Gary Culbert in Drombane

A big crowd descended on Drombane in the Sunday afternoon sun to witness BT Harps beat Sallypark the Kevin Fogarty Tipperary Cup final.

Sallypark were trying to make it three Tipperary Cup’s in a row, but a shockingly uncharacteristic start saw the Latteragh men three goals down inside the opening half hour.

The holders played into the wind in the first half and didn’t settle at all, whereas Harps came out of the blocks quickly and opened the scoring from a Stevie Nolan corner inside the ten minutes; Ben Stapleton breaking free of his marker and made first contact only to see his header was saved brilliantly by goalkeeper Damien Corcoran, however, Jack Kennedy was first to react to fire home the opener.

The Templemore men doubled their just a few minutes later; one second the ball was in goalkeeper Evan Byrne’s hands, and just two passes later Shane Doyle had it at his feet on the left edge of the Sallypark box, before cutting inside the defence to fire home. Sallypark were defensively very open for this goal, which is not what we are used to seeing from the cup experts.

Just after the half hour mark, Ben Stapleton raced clear before going down in the box after Paul Walsh made contact, a penalty was awarded to Harps. Stapleton picked himself up and fired home to make it 3-0 to Harps.

Sallypark got into the game after this and had a couple of real chances before the break, the best of which fell to Padraig Ryan off a corner, but the false nine lashed over on this occasion while David Young had the keeper beat with a flick on from a free-kick, but the Toomevara man saw his headed effort go over the bar too.

Harps had a few more chances before half time but were well dealt with by the Sallypark defence with Stevie Nolan and Fintan Purcell going close.

Sallypark had the wind in the second half, and they came out the blocks quick and were instantly rewarded when Paul Walsh headed in a goal from a corner.

What happened next was the killer blow for Sallypark as Harps responded almost immediately, Jordan Moloney playing a great pass through to Ben Stapleton who made no mistake with the finish restore ‘The Harps’ three goal lead.

Sallypark then pushed on with nothing to lose with the clock ticking down, creating some good chances only to be stopped by some great saves by Evan Byrne. Harps had a couple of chances on the break, but Damien Corcoran made some good stops to deny the Templemore men, whilst Brian Duffy was also on hand to keep the faint hopes of a comeback alive.

The holder’s task was made even harder when they were then reduced to ten men following an off the ball scuffle, in which Stephen Murray saw red.

Sallypark rallied again and Paul Walsh was moved up top for the last fifteen minutes, he put in an immense display and was good value for a goal or two, but his performance was matched by the goalkeeping of Evan Byrne. One save in particular stood out above all the rest, as he went flying through the air to deny a Paul Walsh thunderbolt that was struck with venom from all of thirty yards and destined for the top corner.

Late in the game, Danny O’Donoghue pulled one back for Sallypark from a corner kick, but it turned out to only be a consultation goal.

Full time and the cup was going back to Templemore, with the man of the match award going to Lyndon Fairbrother. NT&DL Fixtures Secretary Richard Fogarty presented the Kevin Fogarty cup to BT Harps captain Ben Stapleton, this cup is named in memory of Richard’s late son, Kevin.

Player of the Match: Lydon Fairbrother (BT Harps).

BT Harps: Evan Byrne; Fintan Purcell, Lyndon Fairbrother, Cian Russell, Darragh Doyle, David O’Shea, Stevie Nolan, Jordan Moloney, Shane Doyle, Ben Stapleton, Jack Kennedy. Subs: Nick Keane for Moloney (60); James Kennedy for S Doyle (70); Killian Fennell for Stapleton (80); Marco Quinlan for Fairbrother (81); Martin Ryan for D Doyle (90).

Sallypark Odhrans: Damien Corcoran; Jack Sanders, Kieran Ryan, Eoin Ryan, Paul Walsh; Daniel Keogh, David Young, Willie Connors; Brian Mitchell, Padraig Ryan, Tom McCutcheon.

Subs: Brian Duffy for Connors (45); Stephen Murray for Young (50); Danny O’Donoghue for Mitchell (75); Patrick Ronan for McCutcheon (83); Thomas McLoughlin for Sanders (90).

Referee: David Butler.