Monksland retain Counties Cup crown

Monksland United 3 Birr Town 1

By John Dingle

Monksland United retained the Counties Cup with a relatively easy victory over Birr Town at Leah Victoria Park in Tullamore last Saturday evening.

An evenly contested opening half with few incidents looked set to end scoreless until United struck in the final minute through Dylan Jinks. The lead was doubled from the penalty spot early in the second half and a third Monksland goal followed midway through the half.

Either side of the third score both teams were reduced to ten men. Birr gabbed a consolation goal after 71 minutes but Monksland were not to be denied as a somewhat disappointing campaign for Tony O’Sullivan's men still ends with silverware on display.

The opening half did not reach any great heights as the on field play failed to match the height of the temperature. Early corner kicks were exchanged with Jinks firing wide for Monksland. Most of the noteworthy moments came from set pieces as Birr's John Corboy tested Cathal Hannon with a free kick from the right. At the other end Jinks was again in action when drilling a free over the bar. Another United corner delivered by Jinks saw Denzel Da Costa have a headed effort cleared.

Neither team was able to get a firm grip on proceedings as caution prevailed. Birr forced two more corners as the experienced Nicky Molloy also had a free saved. Few clear-cut chances were created with the outcome very much in the balance.

The situation was to change dramatically in the final minute as the holders finally broke the deadlock. Aidan Reilly raced clear to open up the Birr defence and his precise pass set up the incoming Jinks who found the net from close range. It set O’Sullivan's men up nicely for when play resumed and took some of the sting out of Birr's challenge.

Birr needed to fight back when action got underway again but the second half was less than a minute old when the Cushla Park outfit was handed the opportunity to double their lead. John Shine was fouled as he prepared to shoot and a penalty kick was awarded. It took some time for the action to resume and although goalkeeper Conor Hogan guessed right as he dived to his left, he was unable to prevent Callum O’Brien from converting his spot kick.

The cup was now firmly back in the holders' grasp and two more corners kept up the pressure on Birr. The 2018 cup winners tried to respond but the greater big time experience of Monksland was now dominating the youthful Birr outfit.

Ryan O’Connor had a chance to seal victory after 64 minutes but the end-of-season decider still took a major swing Monkland's way when Birr were reduced to ten men two minutes later. A second yellow card for John Corboy saw the scorer of the winning goal in the semi-final sent off.

Monksland made it 3-0 after 68 minutes as Birr were carved open at the back. Reilly was again the provider from the left and O’Connor completed the move with a well-taken goal.

There was little time for either team to catch their breath after the insurance score as a second sending off took place before the game could restart. O’Brien picked up a second yellow card for Monksland and it was now back to even numbers with ten against ten for the closing stages.

A water break had the desired effect as it cooled down a contest that had shown indications of overheating. Thankfully both teams got back to playing football after the short break.

Birr got some reward for their efforts with a goal after 71 minutes. Monksland were penalised for a foul inside the box and the second penalty of the game was awarded. Molloy sent the keeper the wrong way with the resulting spot kick.

The Offaly outfit then tried to further reduce the deficit with a corner kick but were lucky not to have again slipped three goals behind with six minutes remaining. O’Connor was denied by the keeper at the expense of a corner when appearing to have the goal at his mercy.

Birr rallied in the closing stages but off target efforts from Nathan Williams and Campbell Boyd and two stoppage time corners were of no use as United held firm. The holders, after an extended stoppage time period, were soon celebrating retaining the trophy as team captain Stephen Francis held onto the cup.

Man of the match: Dylan Jinks (Monksland). The number nine was lively throughout and his goal late in the first half put Monksland on their way to victory.

Key moments: Goals either side of half-time effectively killed off the Birr challenge as a red card before the hour mark further increased the odds of a cup shock.

Monksland United: Cathal Hannon, Michael Harrington, Callum O’Brien, Kevin Dunne, Brian Francis, John Shine, Stephen Francis, Dylan Jinks, Denzel DaCosta, Aidan Reilly, Ryan O’Connor. Subs: Reece Moran for DaCosta (81 mins); Sean Ryan for O’Connor (86); Kevin Gaylard for Shine (90); Matt Scally for Jinks (90).

Birr Town: Conor Hogan, Ceilim King, Nathan Williams, Joe Ryan, Campbell Boyd, Nicky Molloy, Ricky Fitzsimons, Jamie Corboy, Hubert Zakrzewski, David Tooher, John Corboy. Subs: Matty Power for Jamie Corboy (77); Luke Morris for Ryan (90).

Referee: Ray Conlon.