Matthew Henry’s 81st minute goal fired Greencastle to a superb FAI Junior Cup win over St Francis today at Chapel Lane.
Greencastle FC 1 St Francis (Dublin) 0
In good conditions the home side had an early opportunity when Christy Hegarty broke on the right and his cross was gathered by John Mills.T
he visitors Ryan Dick then fed Patrick Knowles who cut in from the right but fired just over the bar.
At the other end Hegarty raced onto a long ball and fed Nigel McMonagle who laid the ball back for Matthew Henry but he fired over from twelve yards before McMonagle turned well inside the area but saw his effort blocked by a defender.
On 22 minutes Paul Caffrey’s cross was blocked for a corner which Dillon Doherty gathered well. Caffrey then cut in from the right and went past a defender before seeing his effort well saved by Doherty.
Greencastle replied with Gerry Gill firing a free just past the angle.
On the half hour Ryan Dick headed just wide from a Caffrey free kick before McMonagle cut inside past two defenders and unleashed a low effort which Mills saved superbly.
The best chance for the visitors saw Caffrey advance into the area but his low effort was superbly tipped onto the post by Doherty who gathered the rebound.
The last chance of the half fell to McMonagle who chipped over the defence for Hegarty whose low effort was well saved by Mills.
Caffrey had the first chance of the second period but his effort lacked the power to beat Doherty before Sean Kennedy fed Knowles who turned and fired high and wide.
At the other end Hegarty broke into the area but was denied by Aiden Price with a fine tackle.
On 65 minutes a long ball over the top saw Doherty come well out of his area to clear before David Simpson for the visitors fired just wide. Greencastle replied and when a corner was cleared to Matthew Henry his shot was deflected into the hands of keeper Mill.
Good build up on the left saw Henry feed Hegarty who laid it off to James henry but he fired over from the edge of the area. Caffrey then found space on the left but his attempted chip was easily claimed by Doherty.
Greencastle then had a great effort when McMonagle cut in past two defenders and saw his effort crash back off the post before Hegarty fired just over the bar and McMonagle was denied by a good save from Mills.
The home side made the break through on 81 minutes when a superb Shaun Doherty ball over the top found Matthew Henry who controlled superbly and finished expertly past Mills.
The visitors threw men forward but failed to trouble Doherty in the home goal.
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