Ballymun Utd – 1 Sandyhill Shangan – 0 In the end is was a 93rd minute goal from Mark Cromwell that sealed the win for Ballymun, who based on the possession they had perhaps deserved the victory, although Sandyhill Shangan will feel aggrieved not to come away from the game with their first point of the season after a late sucker punch. The game started at a frantic pace with Sandyhill Shangan almost going one up on two minutes when a corner from the right left Lee Clarke in space but his free header clipped the outside of the post. They had another good chance a few moments later with a Jeff Conway free kick but that went straight at the keeper. It took 15 minutes before Ballymun got into their stride and their first chance came from a Sam Dodd corner, flicked on by Danny Murphy’s boot and headed over by Craig McDonald. Ballymun were attempting to get it wide into the channels for their two frontmen Kavanagh and Murphy and Sandyhill were content to push forward on the break. Soon after the livewire Murphy had another chance after a good cross from Kavanagh but his header flew over. Despite bags of pressure there was a lack of cutting edge and as the half wore on Sandyhill Shangan came back into it. Their persistence paid off on 36 minutes when a shot blasted in at the goal got lodged under the body of Paddy O’Boyle was adjudged to struck him on the arm and the penalty was awarded. Up stepped Robbie Doogan but his effort was saved by recent junior international call up David Conroy. Sandyhill Shangan continued to push on with Jimmy Bell in the midfield enforcer role and Derek Martin hugely impressive in the centre spraying some wonderful passes around the park. Ballymun’s Dean O’Brien looked solid in the centre and has an impressive engine. As the half drew to a close we almost saw a spectacular goal. Mun’s Sam Dodd picked up the ball in the centre circle, spotted keeper Thomas Cullen off his line and smacked a Beckham-like shot that unfortunately smacked of the crossbar. Mun boss Dave Rodgers made a couple of changes at half time with Paul Montando and Paul Gannon introduced and the changes seemed to put a pep in their step. Their first chance fell early in the half after a long ball over the top was chased down by Dodd who played it back to Kavanagh but his shot sailed over. Just a minute later a curling free kick from Sandyhill Shangan’s Clarke was tipped away by an inspired Beef Conroy. Moments later Mun’s Kavanagh spun a defender on the edge of the box but his shot was straight at the keeper. Derek Martin seemed impressed by Sam Dodd’s first half long range effort and attempted one himself. His 35 yard effort however also cracked off the same crossbar. As the half wore on Ballymun enjoyed a sustained period of pressure with the excellent Montando at the centre of everything all over the pitch. Pressure and possession however was all that it was as a distinct lack of a cutting edge was evident in Ballymun’s play. Sandyhill Shangan were always dangerous on the break with Martin’s passing range causing real problems. Chances fell to both Paul Creighton and Jeff Conway but they could not be converted. In the end as the darkness was falling at a scoreless draw looked imminent, the impressive Murphy beat his man, fell over and scrambled the ball back to Mark Cromwell who toe-poked the ball home to the delight of the large home support. In terms of chances and possession Ballymun did perhaps deserve the win but Sandyhill Shangan will be gutted not to have come away with at least a point. Man of the Match: Paul Montando – Only came on as a sub at halftime but totally changed the game with his passing and movement. A superb ball player. Ballymun Utd: 1. David Conroy 2. Mark Cromwell 3. Paddy O’Boyle 4. Craig McDonald 5. Anthony McGuinness 6. Derek Barry 7. Sam Dodd 8. Dean O’Brien 9. Barry Kavanagh 10. Daniel Murphy 11. Robert Keeley 12. Paul Gannon 13. Noel Downey 14. Paul Kane 15. Paul Montando 16. Dean Hayden 17. Stephen Robinson Ballymun Utd Sandyhill Shangan: 1. Thomas Cullen 2. Jeff Conway 3. Lee Clarke 4. Pat Groves 5. Robbie Doogan 6. Jimmy Bell 7. Sean McMullin 8. Derek Martin 9. Sean O’Reilly 10. Paul Creighton 11. Kevin Kelly 12. Karl Robinson 13. P.J Broderick 14. Karl McMahon 15. Mark Eades 16. Joe Mahoney 17. Ian O’Reilly Sandyhill Shangan Like · . Write a comment...
Posted on: Tue, 27 Aug 2013 22:20:36 +0000
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