Black Forge hit the spot

By John Mooney

A GOAL from Ryan McCormack with three minutes remaining hauled Black Forge FC’s UCFL Division 3C Shield hopes out of the fire as they finished deadlocked with St Maelruan’s at 1-1 before continuing on to beat the Tallaght side in a penalty shootout.

The Forge were trailing for most of this tie and were still behind when Maelruan’s were first reduced to 10 men with 15 minutes remaining, and then to nine with 10 minutes left on the clock.

By this point it was backs-to-the-wall stuff for the Saints although they looked to have done enough to edge the match.

That was until the linesman spotted an infringement just outside the area and the referee awarded the Forge a free kick.

McCormack, who had replaced Jamie Stears, placed the ball and delivered a superb effort that nestled in the Maelruan’s net.

Tallaght side St Maelruan’s were pipped on penalties

They almost then won the game outright in the final minute when Philip Massey’s effort missed the target by inches.

However, there was still plenty of drama to come as goalkeeper, Shane Cahill emerged the hero after he saved two successive spot kicks in the eventual shootout to ensure the Shield went to the Driminagh side.

This was a cagey affair and chances were very scarce on the day, but the Saints opened their account with a beauty in the seventh minute.

The Forge failed to clear a threat from the right side of the area, allowing Jack O’Loughlin to pounce and slip the ball to Dave Nolan who curled it home.

That was the only clear-cut chance of the half, although Stears did have an effort blocked while another few attempts lacked the power needed to see them to the target.

As the game wore on Black Forge did try to up the pressure, but the Saints were more than a match until they lost two players.

And when Forge finally got their first real chance of a goal by way of a set-piece, McCormack delivered to effectively force a decisive shootout.