Ashwood add MMI Cup to their haul this season

Ashwood add MMI Cup to their haul this season

By John Mooney

ASHWOOD FC’s first season in the UCFL got even better on Saturday morning in Home Farm after they captured the MMI Cup following a hard fought victory over Castle Celtic.

This game was a bit of a slow burner, but the Division Three champions proved deserved winners.

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Ashwood FC celebrate capturing the MMI Cup following their battle with Castle Celtic in Home Farm on Saturday Photos by John Mooney

Stephen Bayliss set the Clondalkin side on their way when he opened their account on 10 minutes after applying the finishing touch to a great attacking move involving Andrew Flemming, Paul Crowe and Ken Ramsey.

Castle's response was positive and a couple of efforts from Aaron Cole and Cosmin Hohulea just failed to see them back on level terms, while at the other end Bayliss attempted a cheeky lob from distance that failed to trouble Conor Seery.

Celtic knew they had to produce something after the break and from the off they began to turn the screw on their opponents.

But it was the end product that they were lacking as whenever they did breach the Ashwood defence they found goalkeeper Aaron Clarke hard to beat.

Ashwood also had their chances, mainly through Paul Tumilty, but he was unable to convert a couple of decent opportunities before they bagged their second with 30 minutes remaining.

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Castle Celtic came up just short in their quest to land the UCFL’s MMI Cup this season after they lost out to Ashwood in the decider

Ken Hammond proved the provider when he gathered the ball on the right hand side and centred for captain Nathan Killeen to slot home.

That might have broken other sides, but back came Castle to reduce their arrears with eight minutes remaining when Hugh Kennedy finally got the better of Clarke.

Kennedy had an opportunity to level the tie minutes later when he connected with a delivery in, but he lost his balance and the danger was cleared.

And, as often happens, when you miss at one end there is a goal at the other and Ashwood delivered the final nail in the Castle coffin with a stunning third in the dying minutes.

Again Hammond, who just missed out on the man-of-the-match award to

Ramsey, was the provider this time for Tumilty to powerfully head home and seal a great win for Ashwood.

ASHWOOD FC: A Clarke, Paul Crowe, I Flemming, S Bermingham, A Flemming, K Hammond, N Killeen, K Ramsey, S Bayliss, A Caul, S Conway, P Tumilty, J Mullan, G Dunne, D Archbold, S Murphy.

CASTLE CELTIC:  C Seery, A Cole, D McCreery, J Thompson, S Langley, A Meehan, M Thompson, C Hohulea, J Mahon, D Groake, F Aposto, G Ward, L McMahon, H Kennedy, S Flynn, M Healy.

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