Tipperary Cup Final 27th May Match Reports
Tipperary Cup Final 27th May
St Michael’s 2 – 0 Old Bridge
St Michael’s applied some salve to the loss of their league title at the beginning of the weekend, by picking up another Tipperary Cup success, against a dogged but ultimately limited Old Bridge side in front of a large and vocal crowd at a sun-drenched Cahir Park on Saturday evening. It took two goals late in the first half to settle the tie, with the victors once again showing the difficultly they have had all year in turning chances into goals. Cheered on by a large travelling contingent from Clonmel, the Bridge started well and made inroads especially with a series of long throw ins from Simon O’Donnell, one of which found Sean Martin free in the area, but his flick went just wide of the goal. Ten minutes in, the Saints first real chance saw Jimmy Carr pull a ball back from the left flank, but Ed O’Dwyer saw his effort saved at the near post by the excellent Kian Quinn. Rhys Byron and Sean Martin then swapped chances from Michael’s and Old Bridge respectively midway through the half, but as it wore on, the Tipperary town side started to become more dangerous and see more possession of the ball. Eight minutes from the break, they thought they had opened the scoring when Carr was released by a quick free kick and his cross found Rhys Byron in space, but he headed wide. But just two minutes later, they finally made the breakthrough, when Joey Mulcahy free kick saw Carr’s header saved, but the ball ran loose and was forced home by Ed O’Dwyer from close range. A minute later it was two when O’Dwyer picked up a ball on the right, cut in on to his left foot and fired underneath the keepers body from twelve yards out. This knocked the stuffing out of the Clonmel side and they were happy to hear the half time whistle shortly afterwards.
The second half degenerated a bit football wise and a lot of the football was concentrated in dour midfield battles, with very little creativity that looked like adding to the score line. Just before the hour mark, Saints won a series of corners before an Ashley Kelliher shot from an angle hit the side netting, when most of the crowd thought it was goalbound. The First Division side were really living on scraps at this stage, but in the sixty sixth minute, Sean Martin did well to make space and spin it on to his left leg, but his shot went just over the Saints crossbar. Both sides used their benches over the last quarter and Old Bridge did their utmost to try and get the goal that might bring them back into the goal. They were finally presented with a golden effort minutes from the end, when they were awarded a penalty kick, after a handling infringement, but they saw the effort blaze wide. The referees whistle came shortly afterwards, and the Saints captain Jimmy Carr was presented with the prestigious cup, in the week before he travels out to represent the league and his country in the UEFA Regions Cup competition. It’s been a long season for the Saints, and one of transition. They may not have reached the heights that they have in recent years, but they have shown they are still one of the top junior sides in the country, and it looks like they’ll be operating at that level for a few years to come yet. A special mention was also made on the night to the man of the match, Christopher Higgins, who announced his retirement after the game. A long servant of member of the great Michael’s teams of the last decade, it was only fitting that Chris would bow out the recipient of another piece of silverware to add to a large and varied collection, which also included representing his country in the sport that he loved. He was wished a happy retirement by everyone in Tipperary football at the end of the presentation.