Ardfield 5

Beara United 1

GER McCARTHY REPORTS

FIVE-STAR Ardfield ended the club’s long wait for West Cork League silverware with a dominant Championship Cup final victory.

The Beamish Cup finalists proved too strong for Beara United in a rain-lashed decider at Skibbereen AFC’s Ollie McCarthy Park on Sunday.

In atrocious conditions, Ardfield struck four second-half goals after taking a 1-0 lead into the break. Niall Keane (2), Michael Maguire, Sam Linehan and Paul Hodnett were all on target for the winners.

‘Overall, I’m very happy with the lads and absolutely delighted to win this trophy,’ Johnny Lawless told The Southern Star.

‘This is Ardfield’s first West Cork League adult trophy in a long time – it’s a nice achievement.

‘I actually thought we played better against the wind in the first half. We played the ball a lot more on the ground. In the second half, we were just trying to adapt to the conditions. I thought we did well in some stages and in others, not so well.’

Beara United's Tom Dickinson tries to clear under pressure from Ardfield's Niall Keane. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

Beara kicked off looking to make history by winning the club’s first West Cork League (men’s) trophy. Their opponents, still in the hunt for the Championship division title as well as preparing for a Beamish Cup decider against Drinagh Rangers, began as favourites.

Backed by a strong wind, Beara’s Daniel Hanley had the final’s first opportunity, drawing a save from Aaron O’Brien after seven minutes. Encouraged by that effort, the Beara side enjoyed a positive spell with Tom Dickinson and James Spencer forcing hurried clearances.

Devoid of possession and on the back foot for much of the opening stages, Ardfield underlined their counter-attacking ability after 15 minutes. Conor Twomey raced from deep in his own half and found Paul Hodnett, who in turn released Sam Linehan. Cormac Whelan made a good save from Linehan’s attempt. Apart from that effort, clear-cut chances were scarce.

That was until Ardfield broke the deadlock with a well-crafted goal after 26 minutes. Gaining possession in Beara’s penalty area, Paul Hodnett evaded two defenders before squaring for Niall Keane to confidently side-foot home.

Beara United's Daniel Hanley and Ardfield's George Cannon in a race for possession. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

Beara were fortunate not to concede a second to the same player shortly after. Amazingly, Keane hammered his first shot off an upright only to divert the rebound against the opposite post.

Having survived that scare, Beara tried to work their way back into the game with Liam Steele and Reuben McAtasney prominent in midfield. United came closest to an equaliser when Daniel Mason and Declan Dunne combined for the latter to force Aaron O’Brien into a smart stop after 35 minutes. O’Brien had to go full length to deny Dunne as United finished the half strongly.

Amid heavy rain and backed by a strengthening wind, Ardfield doubled their advantage two minutes after the restart. Failing to clear another Ardfield attack, Beara were punished by a thunderous Michael Maguire shot that gave Cormac Whelan no chance.

Declan Dunne had an opportunity to pull a goal back, but the Beara striker’s free kick drifted wide. That proved a rare second-half opportunity for a United side forced onto the back foot.

Ardfield captain Fintan Barrett raises the trophy. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

The cushion of a two-goal lead allowed Ardfield to build their attacks before confirming victory with a third strike on 65 minutes. Niall Keane guided a superb long-range effort into the roof of the net for an unassailable 3-0 lead.

Only a brilliant Cormac Whelan save prevented Conor Twomey from adding to United’s misery. Yet Ardfield didn’t have to wait long for a fourth, as Sam Linehan was rewarded for an all-action display with a superbly struck goal.

Beara kept pressing and were rewarded for their endeavour with a consolation effort. Awarded a penalty, Declan Dunne dispatched to make it 4-1 after 75 minutes.

United’s joy was short-lived, however, as Ardfield restored their four-goal advantage. Sam Linehan’s cross was met by a powerful Paul Hodnett header to complete the scoring and seal a deserved Championship Cup success.

‘We are just taking it one game at a time from here on in,’ Lawless added.

‘We have Aultagh Celtic next in the league and that’s our only focus for now.

‘It will be over the final couple of weeks that we’ll start building towards the Beamish Cup final with Drinagh. Please God, we will do it this year.’

OUR STAR: Niall Keane was excellent throughout for Ardfield, scoring twice and was denied a hat-trick after striking both uprights in the same attack.

Ardfield: Aaron O’Brien, Caolan Hayes, Fintan Barrett (captain), Michael Maguire, Ronan Hayes, Niall Keane, Sam Linehan, Sean Lawless, Paul Hodnett, George Cannon, Conor Twomey.

Subs: Peter Barrett, Diarmuid Kerr, Karol Siwek, Colm Hayes, Cillian White, Eric Hicks, Jerry McCarthy.

Beara United: Cormac Whelan, Kieran Darb, David McCarthy, Reuben McAtasney, Liam Steele, James Harrington, Daniel Mason, Daniel Hanley, James Spencer, Tom Dickinson, Declan Dunne.

Subs: Con Sullivan, Richard Murphy (captain), Jakob Hesse, Jonathan Rosales Harrington, Rory O’Neill, Jamie Healy, Aleksandr Spundov.

Referee: Tadhg O’Sullivan.