FAI Junior Cup 6th Round Match Report: Westport over the moon with win over Cow!

??Finbarr Buckley

Doolan’s Cow 2 – 3 Westport United

WESTPORT UNITED came from two down to defeat Cork Business League opponents Doolan’s Cow in a thrilling FAI New Balance Junior Cup 6th Round tie at Mayfield Community School last Sunday afternoon, writes Finbarr Buckley.

James Cotter almost gave the Doolan’s the ideal start inside the 2nd minute when he struck Aaron Hennessy’s  pass the wrong side of the far post. At the other end Jasper Frisch shot narrowly over from Cillian McGlade’s cross. The host went in front in the 21st minute from a set-piece free-kick on the right, swung in by Hennessy, for Tony O’Reilly to loop a header over Gary Cunningham. Doolan’s keeper James Murphy was called upon to make two brilliant saves to deny Phil Keegan and Peter Corcoran before Hennessy doubled Doolan’s’ lead with a second in the 35th minute. Jamie Murphy got free on the right to split the defence for the unmarked Hennessy to fire low past Cunningham.

The visitors pulled one back inside a minute though Peter Corcoran who rifled the ball to the back of the net after the home defence failed to deal with a breaking ball. Murphy again kept the score at 2-1 with another save at full stretch, this time from Jack Murphy, to leave the sizable attendance eagerly awaiting more in the second 45.

Westport manager Mickey Feeney’s half-time talk certainly worked the oracle as the visitors took the game to their opponents from the off and equalized in the 53rd minute. Jack Murphy’s corner was pushed out into a crowded goalmouth by keeper Murphy for Corcoran to hammer in a carbon copy of his first to set up a nail-biting finish.

Doolan’s worked their way back into the tie with a succession of corners in the final ten minutes but were undone at the death from a breakaway. Substitute Danny O’Toole was caught by Stephen McCarthy but a fine piece of refereeing by Grahame Duffy allowed the winger to race in on goal and pick out Corcoran. The striker’s first attempt was again well saved by Murphy’s out-stretched foot but the rebound was clinically dispatched by Corcoran for his hat-trick. Westport were relieved to hear the final whistle moments later and progress to the last sixteen of the competition for the second year in-a-row, while it might have been a bridge too far for Doolan’s, they can be well pleased with their performance on the day.

Hat-trick hero Peter Corcoran put in a man-of-the match performance and along with his three-goal tally he was at the heart of all of Westport’s attacks throughout the ninety minutes.

Doolan’s Cow: James Murphy: Alan Monaher, Ian McCarthy; Keith McCarthy, Craig Keegan; Stephen McCarthy, Aaron Hennessy {Sean O’Sullivan); Tony O’Reilly (capt.), James Cotter, Jamie Murphy (James O’Shea).

Westport United: Gary Cunningham (capt.) : Mikey O’Brien, Mark McDonagh; Shaun Tagg, Cillian McGlade; Caoimhin O’Toole, Philip Keegan, Jack Murphy; Peter Corcoran, Darren Browne, Jaspor Frisch (Danny O’Toole).

Referee: Grahame Duffy | Assistant Referees: Brendan Dowling & Yves Kriwan (All CBL)

?➡️View Match Photos here courtesy of Finbarr Buckley⬅️?