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Ashbourne United win Unidare Cup
On Friday 14th May 2010, Ashbourne United faced Collinstown FC in the final of the Unidare Cup in the AUL Complex, Clonshaugh. Both teams play in Division 3 Saturday of the AUL and during the season they shared the spoils, both winning their home games. United finished second in the division and Collinstown finished fourth.
Although United have had a lot of success at this level down through the years in the AUL, this is only their 2nd Unidare Cup final - the first was back in 2006/07 when they were beaten 1 v 0 by Dingle United. Many of this year's side have come up through the ranks together in successful United schoolboy teams and the experience of Aidan Ryan, John McKeown, Paul Mullen, Aidan Brett and Barry Gardner helped the youngsters along.
The game started very well for United with David 'Rocky' McKeown and Stephen 'Scoby' Bourke dominating midfield proceedings. Collinstown's right back looked to be feeling the nerves of the occasion and it was down United's left that they were having the most joy - with good play from Ian Cawley and Andy Griffith on that flank.
In the 10th minute Rocky picked up a ball in midfield, beat his man and played a slide rule pass to Cawley on the left, who then beat his man and sent in a low driven cross. Semi-final man-of-the-match, Wayne Cantwell had come in from the right and got on the ball in the box only to be taken down with a poor tackle but amazingly the referee waved play on. In the opening half hour United created many a shooting opportunity and forced successive corners. The corners were beautifully delivered by either Cawley or Cantwell but John McKeown, who seemed to be on the end of every one of them, just couldn't get the right connection to trouble the Collinstown keeper.
The half came to an end with nobody having any clear cut chances but neither defence was dominating either - there were gaps that could be exploited and now it was down to the manager's to do their jobs. Tony Carroll sent his charges out unchanged but stressed the need to use the right flank more where John Connelly and Cantwell were quite capable of making things happen.
15 minutes into the second half, Cantwell went on a mazy run which saw him fouled mid way in the Collinstown half. Bourke stood over the dead ball and delivered a perfect cross which John McKeown bravely headed despite the keepers presence but the header hit the top of the bar and went to safety. United had much more possession now on the right and Collinstown continued to foul Cantwell - their only means of stopping him since doubling up his markers did not.
From these frees on the right United sent in their most dangerous balls, Bourke and Cantwell sending in perfect deliveries but United never exploited the large space in the Collinstown rearguard. With tired legs, particularly across midfield, came mistakes and Collinstown mounted a series of attacks but nothing really troubled Danny McShane in the United goal. Andy Griffith had to be replaced by Neil Harpur and his fresh legs gave United new impedes on the left. Ian Cawley too, having given his all, had to be replaced and the spectators hoped that Ronan Powers pace might cause problems for a very tired Collinstown back four.
15 minutes before the end Jonathon Noctor replaced a shattered Barry Gardner and United now seemed fresh again, the McKeown brothers looked to have their second wind and the team lifted as a whole. Harpur had put in a series of crosses from the left wing but they had all been dealt with until the ball fell to him from a corner clearance, he controlled it and sent a fabulous ball back into the box. Bourke had stayed forward and lost his marker to head the ball back across goal and into the net - there was 6 minutes left on the clock.
It was time for the United defence to stand strong and hold this lead. Aidan Ryan and Daragh Fitzpatrick were determined to keep Collinstown out. With the minutes ticking away, Rocky found the feet of Noctor who turned and played a perfect pass to Power who had remained onside. It looked like the striker might have missed his chance when the ball got stuck under his feet, but he managed to 'dig it out' and finished well past the Collinstown keeper to seal the game in the final minute. The whistle blew just after the tip off and United had earned their first ever Unidare Cup victory - a tremendous achievement for Tony and the lads.
In the midst of all the celebrations it's always good to spare a thought for a few individuals - Kevin Cullen got a hamstring injury mid-season and he never played any more games; Andy Beggy also picked up a hamstring injury just a couple of weeks ago but could only recover to earn a place on the bench, having played right full for the majority of the season; David Kitson was the victim of an act of thuggery in the final game of the season on Saturday 8th May and watched the game with a fractured nose - forcing him to hand his left full berth to Andy Griffith.
It was nice to see the squad recognise these players and include them in all celebrations. You could also see the respect the lads had for the other players in the squad - Rob Hoare, Aidan Brett, Paul Mullen all contributed throughout the season! Individual flair can win you games, but teamwork and a 'United' squad can win you trophies . . . this Division 3 side are a credit to the club.
