Nine man Inny bow out of cup

Inny FC 2 St Aengus 5

Inny FC bowed out of the Paddy Cotter Cup with a five goals to two defeat to St Aengus of Laois, in Streete last Sunday morning.

Inny came back from two goals down in a pulsating first half that contained five goals in total, the visitors edging it 3-2 at the break. However, Inny’s chances of progression into the next round were dealt a blow when Cian Cheevers was shown a red card on 55 minutes; they never recovered, and actually finished the game with nine men due to Ciaran Fagan also getting his marching orders late on.

St Aengus, three-goal victors, were led by the impressive Rob Tyrrell, but they will be relieved to be in the next round of the Paddy Cotter Cup, as they easily could have finished numerically disadvantaged themselves following several second half skirmishes.

From the first whistle, it was clear that St Aengus meant business, the away team dominating the early proceedings. Just five minutes into the game, Emmet Jones broke the deadlock, scoring the first goal for St Aengus, pouncing on a corner from Darren Drennan. This was quickly followed by a second goal for St Aengus from centre back Rob Tyrell, who finished at the back post from a set-piece delivery from Dean Carey.

Despite the early setbacks, Inny FC continued to fight, and their efforts were rewarded in the 35th minute, Niall Fagan winning a penalty, before stepping up himself and finishing to the net.

This was a much-needed boost for the home team, and they brought the game level just minutes later, a great ball in behind the defence from Lee Keena found David Callaghan and he put the ball past Tadgh Moore, draw game.

There was still time for another goal in an exciting first half, St Aengus edging ahead with Emmet Jones’ second goal. Dean Carey put in the cross and found Jones, who scrambled the ball into the net with the home side claiming hand ball.

In total there were five goals in the first period with Inny battling back brilliantly, but they were dealt a hammer blow on 55 minutes.

A scuffle broke out involving St Aengus’ Jason McCoarmack and Inny’s Cian Cheevers, which culminated in Cheevers being shown a red card.

Inny continued to battle despite the numerical advantage, Niall Fagan the heart of their attack in the no.10 position. Fagan warmed the hands of St Aengus’ goalkeeper Tadgh Moore with two efforts, one from play and one from a dead ball.

With about twenty minutes left, the visitors extended their lead: Jason McCoarmack was adjudged to have been fouled by Aaron O’Brien in the box, and St Aengus’ Rob Tyrell dispatched the penalty, restoring the two goal cushion.

The outcome was put beyond doubt when Tadgh Cuddy went on a mazy run in the box and side-footed to the net for St Aengus’ fifth goal of the day.

The Inny management felt quite aggrieved at some of the decisions that went against them during the game and they finished with nine men when Ciaran Fagan was shown a red card late on.

It was an even contest for the most part, with a clinical St Agnes outfit relieved to get into next round of the cup.

Inny FC: Kevin Chuffe, Aaron O’Brien, David Devine, Malik Adagun, Anthony McKnight, Allan Devine, Lee Keena, David Callaghan, Edward Kinghorne, Niall Fagan, Cian Cheevers

St Aengus: Tadgh Moore, Evan Cuddy, Ben Shore, Rob Tyrell, Jamie Dooley, Tadgh Cuddy, Darren Drennan, Evan Power, Jason Mccoarmack, Emmet Jones, Dean Carey

Inny substitutes: Ciaran Fagan for Lee Keena (55 mins) Aaron Morrisey for Anthony McKnight, Adam Rossiter for David Callaghan (60 mins), Jack Buckley for Edward Kinghorne (85 mins). St Aengus substitutes: Ciaran McKelvey for Emmet Jones (62 mins) Colm Begin for Jason McCoarmack, Trevor Abbott for Evan Power (85 mins).

Referee: Billy Stokes