Bilboa
3 - Doon 2
The 2005 Ann Kennedy Cup Final saw the pairing of neighbouring rivals Bilboa and Doon with Bilboa coming on on top by the odd goal in five, the opening period was a tense affair with both sides defending in depth, Tommy Ryan Luke came close for Bilboa on the five minute mark with a smashing effort, Bilboa were enjoying the better of the exchanges at this point, Andy Muphy(J) delivered in to the danger area from the right, however the ball didn't fall too kindly and the scoreline was kep intact. Doon were failing to repeat the form that had seen them earn a place in the final although Robert Harty did made good contact with a headed effort that wasn't far off the mark midway through the half. Bilboa's overall dominance was about to pay off and the opener came in the 30th minute when Andy Murphy latched on to a through ball, advanced and slotted past Doon's Michael McGrath, Paddy Ryan Luke was truly on form for Biboa popping up all over the field and came close with a headed effort after stretching to reach a long delivery from a free kick in the middle of the field, the crossbar denied Bilboa a second four minutes later when Brian Sheehy's headed effort came back in to play before being cleared. Doon rallied somewhat towards the end of the half and were back on level terms in the 37th minute when Kevin Shanahan took advantage and rolled the ball over the goal line from inside the eighteen yard box. Bilboa didn't delay and were back in front three minutes later when Andy Murphy's free kick was collected by Niall Leahy who had gone behind the Doon rearguard before tapping to the net, it was all Bilboa at this stage, Andy Murphy then made it 3-1 on the stroke of half time with a delightful free kick from outside the box that finished in the top corner of the net. Bilboa took the boot of the pedal in the second half and it was Doon who made the early running, Robert Harty got a shot in, however the effort was off the mark, indeed it was to be a feature of the second half as Doon dominated for long spells but failed to increment the scoreline, Bilboa did come close in the 65th minute when a well stuck shot was superbly tapped over the bar by the Doon custodian, three minutes later saw a goalmhouth scramble that should have yielded more for Jody Shanhans' charges. Bilboa should have put the issue beyond doubt with twelve minutes remaining, however the stike from the penalty spot was outside the upright, Doon enjoyed all the possession in the remaining minutes and had more than their fair share of chances, however it took a coverted penalty from the boot of James Bradshaw to reduce the deficit to a minimum with two minutes left on the stopwatch, however it was too little too late and Bilboa held on to secure their first victory in the Tournament, well done to both sides for producing a competive game of football in the final, Paddy Ryan Luke accepted the Ann Kennedy Cup at an after match function in Kennedy's Lounge, the Player of the Tournament also went to Bilboa's Paddy Ryan Luke and to cap off a memorable Tournament for the Bilboa captain, Paddy Ryan Luke also won the Golden Boot accolade, this award was shared with Bilboa's Andy Murphy who finished level on goals with Paddy Ryan Luke, thanks to Kennedy's Bar & Shop for their sponsorship of the Tournament.
Bilboa
F.C.: Simon Bourke, Paul Ryan, Colin O'Doherty, Niall Leahy, Paul
Leahy, Mark Hehir, Brian Sheehy, Paddy Ryan Luke, Andy Murphy, Tommy Ryan
Luke, Mikey Ryan
Subs: Conor Coleman for Colin Doherty, Liam Leahy for Mikey Ryan
Sub not used: Mike Cunningham
Manager: Andy Murphy
Doon
F.C.: Michael McGrath, Michael Bradshaw, Eugene Carew, Wesley Ryan,
James Bradshaw, Kevin Shanahan, Robert Harty, James McLoughlin, Con Barry,
Brian Fenton, Tom Shanahan
Subs: Michael Ryan for Con Barry, Dan Riall for Tom Shanahan
Subs not used: David Stapleton, Alan Shanahan, Joe Shanahan
Manager: Jody Shanahan
Referee:
Jim Lees
Assistant
Referees: John Sheldon, PJ O'Rourke