Drinagh Rangers 1

Togher Celtic 4

GER McCARTHY REPORTS

TOGHER Celtic turned the tables on league champions Drinagh Rangers to lift the Premier Division Gareth O’Driscoll Cup in impressive fashion at Ollie McCarthy Park on Sunday.

This may have been a surprise result, but it was a fully deserved victory for a Togher side that delivered when it mattered most.

Having been on the receiving end of three defeats to Drinagh during the campaign, Celtic gained a measure of revenge in Skibbereen.

‘It was very important to win a trophy this year,’ Togher manager Johnny Collins told The Southern Star.

‘This group of lads deserved to get something out of the season. The last few weeks just fizzled out for us. Drinagh beat us in the league and we were very lacklustre in that Beamish Cup defeat.

‘We were a completely different team today. The lads came out with a lot more intensity, a completely different mindset. Going 1-0 down wasn’t good but we levelled it and then just drove it on in the second half.’

Togher Celtic's Luke Hurley breaks away from Drinagh Rangers' Barry O'Driscoll (H). (Photo: Paddy Feen)

There will be no quadruple for Drinagh Rangers, though they still have two cup finals to prepare for. Improved performances will be required against Clonakilty Soccer Club (Parkway Hotel-Maybury’s Coaches Cup) and Ardfield (Beamish Cup).

Despite a pristine playing surface, awful weather conditions left both sides battling the elements for the full 90 minutes.

In the opening half, Drinagh were backed by a strong wind, though both teams struggled to adapt to the incessant rain. Chances were hard to come by in the opening quarter, apart from a Cillian Fitzpatrick effort cleared off Togher’s goal line.

Drinagh Rangers' JJ Collins holds off Togher Celtic's Paudie Crowley. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

It took a moment of quality to open the scoring. A sweeping Drinagh move saw Barry O’Driscoll find Eoin Hurley, who released Harry Carey with a first-time pass. Carey unleashed an unstoppable shot beyond Conor Horgan to make it 1-0 after 16 minutes.

Togher looked for an offside decision but the goal stood. Minutes later, Celtic had penalty claims waved away to add to their frustrations.

With Cathal Daly, Luke Hurley and Padraigh Crowley to the fore, Celtic got back on level terms courtesy of a set-piece. Peter Collins curled a free kick into the bottom corner from outside the box to level matters after 28 minutes.

Only a top-class Paddy McCarthy save prevented Padraigh Crowley from putting a rampant Celtic ahead. Drinagh responded with a succession of free kicks that Tom and Robbie McQueen couldn’t capitalise on.

One-all was a fair reflection on an even first half, as Togher restarted with the benefit of a strengthening wind. Yet it was Drinagh who came closest to adding to their total just after the break. Eoin Hurley and Barry O’Driscoll’s one-two ripped open Togher’s defence, but Hurley’s cross was met by a Michael Hennigan header that drifted wide by centimetres.

The Togher Celtic team celebrates their victory in the WCL Premier Division Cup final. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

Undeterred, Celtic redoubled their efforts and grabbed the lead courtesy of a superb individual strike after 53 minutes. Padraigh Crowley flicked up Donnacha Collins’ low cross before turning and volleying a dipping effort into the top corner.

Instantly, the Premier Division champions upped the tempo, with Robbie McQueen’s free kick saved by Brian Horgan and Eoin Hurley flicking a header wide.

Another Togher penalty claim was waved away as goalkeeper Paddy McCarthy and Padraigh Crowley clashed for a loose ball after 71 minutes. An injured McCarthy was replaced by Jack Payne-Murphy immediately afterwards.

The next goal proved decisive – and Togher got it on 76 minutes. Peter Collins took advantage of a rare defensive lapse to push his side 3-1 ahead.

Togher captain Cathal Daly raises the Gareth O'Driscoll Cup. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

Rangers pressed higher in search of a route back but found Celtic’s defence in no mood to concede again. Instead, Drinagh shipped a fourth goal deep into injury-time.

Jack Payne-Murphy’s attempted clearance was blocked by Luke Murphy, who reacted quickest to the rebound, and Hurley gleefully slammed home Togher’s final goal.

‘It was so important that we got something out of this season just to keep the lads going for next year,’ Johnny Collins added.

‘It has been a long year but this win keeps the momentum going. We were up with Clonakilty and Drinagh all year. With a couple more U18 lads coming through, we should be able to push on and keep things rolling.’

OUR STAR: Togher Celtic had plenty of contenders, but Padraigh Crowley marked an outstanding display with one of the goals of the season.

Drinagh Rangers: Paddy McCarthy, JJ Collins, Daniel O’Donovan, Steven Crowley, Robbie McQueen (captain), Tom McQueen, Eoin Hurley, Cillian Fitzpatrick, Michael Hennigan, Barry O’Driscoll, Harry Carey.

Subs: Jack Payne Murphy, Daniel McCarthy, Padraig Cronin, Padraic Hegarty, Sean Calnan.

Togher Celtic: Conor Horgan, Kevin Cotter, Ian Crowley, Peter Collins, Cathal Daly (captain), Luke Hurley, Eoin Murray, Patrick Collins, Padraigh Crowley, Brian Horgan, Donncha Collins.

Subs: Levi Bosma, Seamus Crowley, Niall Hurley, John Collins, Euan Lehane.

Referee: Niall O’Donovan, Assistant Referees: Martin Coakley, Tadhg O’Sullivan.