Nine-goal thriller sees Ardcroney edge Templetuohy in Shield final

North Tipperary & District League - Division 2A Shield Final

Ardcroney B 5

Templetuohy FC 4

In the lower divisions of local soccer, defending and goalkeeping can, more often than not, be an afterthought. This inevitably leads to high-scoring games.

Sunday afternoon in Ardcroney was no exception, as the hosts' second team edged a quite frankly crazy game with Templetuohy FC, in which a bicycle kick from a usual first-team player was required to kill off the relentless visitors.

With home advantage spurring Ardcroney forward, Kieran Molamphy’s newly formed side took the lead early doors through an own goal. Templetuohy’s Stephen Owens headed into his own net, rather beautifully, from a Daniel Needham cross.

Ardcroney’s tails were up now and they could have - if not should have - killed the game during what remained of the opening 20 minutes. However, Lady Luck was shining on Templetuohy, whose blushes were saved by the crossbar twice in quick succession through Fiachra O’Farrell Bond and Lucas Jones.

Midway through the half, Ardcroney were left ruing those missed chances when centre half Matas Mikalajunas left Templetuohy skipper Sean Gleeson reeling in agony on the ground. The high tackle was rightly deemed dangerous play by referee Derek Halpin, and all of a sudden they were down to 10.

Ardcroney’s newfound hardship was compounded from the resulting free-kick, when Rhys McCarthy’s menacing ball in was too hot to handle for goalkeeper Ronan Hayes, with Mikey Lanty not needing a second invitation to level the tie.

Templetuohy quickly became the hammer and they dealt another blow to Ardcroney’s hopes just minutes after, when Rhys McCarthy let fly from range again, with Adam Butler this time nipping in to finish the spilt shot.

Ardcroney were on the ropes now, but the game took another wild swing back towards parity when Lee Doran broke free through the centre before being brought down outside the box by the keeper, Ashton Jordan, who was swiftly given his marching orders.

Ardcroney drew level just before the break when Fiachra O’Farrell Bond volleyed in from a corner. But Templetuohy restored their lead almost immediately after the restart when Adam Butler netted his second of the game.

Ardcroney restored parity again on the hour mark when skipper Ross Hughes headed in from a long throw, but it was a case of anything you can do I can do better, when Templetuohy captain Sean Gleeson steered an even better header in off the post from a free-kick.

Templetuohy’s celebrations were short-lived though, as substitute Jamie Ryan left the crowd in astonishment just 10 minutes later with an outrageous bicycle kick into the top corner. The sheer audacity of the strike by the former Killavilla United striker was only matched by the outpouring of celebration that erupted from the home support.

At 4-4 there was a sense that maybe, just maybe, the scoring was finished. But no, Ryan stole in in the 90th minute to cap off a player of the match display with a finish across goal, having been played through by Lucas Jones.

Player of the Match: Jamie Ryan (Ardcroney)

Ardcroney ‘B’: (4-3-3): Ronan Hayes; Dylan Collins, Paddy Hayes, Matas Mikalajunas, Kevin Boyle; Daniel Needham, Fiachra O’Farrel Bond, Lee Doran; Lucas Jones, Ross Hughes (C), Ben Dwyer.

Substitutes: Jamie Ryan for Ben Dwyer (54); Harry Gannon for Daniel Needham (60); Craig McGrath for Fiachra O’Farrell Bond (83); Colm Hayes for Kevin Boyle (87).

Templetuohy FC: (4-2-3-1): Ashton Jordan; John Doran, Stevie Owens, Sam Cooney, Eugene Davy; Mikey Lanty, Rhys McCarthy; Eoin Stakelum, Sean Gleeson, Finbarr Ryan; Adam Butler.

Substitutes: Sean Costello for Mikey Lanty (42); Sean O’Dwyer for Sean Costello (75).

Referee: Derek Halpin

Assistant Referees: Michael Barry, Robert Mandrilla.