Murroe hold out to win Tournament Title

Cappamore Celtic 1 - Murroe AFC 2

Murroe pulled out all the stops against neighbours Cappamore to hold out for a narrow 2-1 victory in this well attended Ann Kennedy Tournament Final played at Rearcross FC Grounds last Saturday. Cappamore showed strongly early on and golden boot contender Andy Murphy came close with a good effort following a corner kick. Cappamore were enjoying the better of the exchanges and went ahead on sixteen minutes when Robert McLoughlin nipped down the left flank and sent a low effort from an acute angle whizzing to the corner of the net. Murroe retaliated minutes later with a long range effort which was on target, however Kevin Timmons in the Murroe goal was positioned to save. Cappamore's Brian Fitzgerald made a timely tackle to thwart Thomas Cummins on the twenty minute mark. Cappamore went on to be the more dominant team in the opening half and will rue not having increased their tally. Murroe made a strong finish before the break and a Thomas Cummins strike in the 44th minute saw the ball fly just left of the post and then seconds later Tony Ryan picked out Kieran O'Sullivan who headed over the Cappamore crossbar from close range.
Murroe made the early running in the second half and got back on par three minutes after the restart when a cross from the right saw Evan Walsh tap home from close range at the back post. Cappamore were still very much in the game despite the concession of an equaliser and Andy Murphy was unlucky to see his well stuck effort drift over the bar five minutes later.. Murroe edged ahead in the 55th minute when a free kick was blocked in the area, the follow up passage of play saw the referee pointing to the spot. Greg O'Loughlin stepped up and planted the ball in the back of the net despite the best efforts of the Murroe custodiam. Cappamore battled gallantly to get back in to the game and had their chances with Andy Murphy, Oliver Devine and Robert McLoughlin all in the action, however Damien Ryan did exceptionally well throughout to quell the Cappamore attack. In the end it proved not to be for a luckless Cappamore side that surely deserved more for their efforts while Murroe took full advantage of their first Tournament Final appearance with a well earned victory.

Player of the Tournament: Damien Ryan(Murroe AFC)
Golden Boot Award: Andy Murphy (Cappamore Celtic):

Golden Boot League Table
Tournament Results

Cappamore Celtic: William Bourke, Gary Colbert, Brian Fitzgerald, Denis Ryan, Uche Mangoor, Denis Fitzgerald, Michael Fitzgerald, Seamus Ryan, Oliver Devine, Robert McLoughlin, Andy Murphy.
Subs: Kenneth Ryan, Thomas Madden, David Madden, John Ryan, Peter Laffan

Murroe: Kevin Timmons, Jeff Roche, Damien Ryan, David Rainsford, Eoin Hartnett, Kieran O'Sullivan, Tony Ryan, Adrian Ryan, Thomas Cummins, Liam Quinn, Greg O'Loughlin,
Subs: Evan Walsh, John Humphreys, Brian Doherty, Jason Clohessy, Chris McKenna.

Referee: Pat Gibson
Assistant Referees: Jimmy McCarthy, Jim Lees

Murroe - 2009 Tournament Winners


Cappamore Celtic - Tournament Runners Up

 

(L to R:) Jimmy McCarthy, Michael Fitzgerlad(Cappamore Captain), Pat Gibson,
Damien Ryan(Murroe Captain), Jim Lees

(L to R:) Damien Ryan (Murroe AFC Captain) receiving the Ann Kennedy Cup
from Rody Kennedy (Tournament Sponsor)



(L to R:) Michael Fitzgerald(Cappamore Celtic Captain) receiving Runners Up medal from
Rody Kennedy (Tournament Sponsor)

(L to R:) Andy Murphy (Cappamore Celtic) receiving the Golden Boot Award from
Rody Kennedy (Tournament Sponsor)

(L to R:) Damien Ryan (Murroe AFC) receiving the Player of the Tournament Award from
Rody Kennedy (Tournament Sponsor)