Brennan goal ensures cup joy for ‘Mitten
By Hayden Moore
A CRAIG Brennan goal on 70 minutes was enough to see Knockmitten United over the line against Sallynoggin Pearse as they won 1-0 to lift the Vere Deane Cup on Saturday in John Hyland Park.
In a tight affair, it was the Clondalkin side who got the better of their opponents after the break when Craig Hanlon released Brennan down the left and he made no mistake with the opening.
Knockmitten United did just enough to clinch the Vere Deane Cup.
Hanlon was instrumental throughout with his ability to quickly turnover possession while captain Liam McGuigan demonstrated great ability in getting from box-to-box.
The sides each had several opportunities to break the deadlock but after numerous wayward efforts, they headed into the interval all square.
Yet centre forward Brennan hit the net after the recess when he dropped out wide to pick up the ball and made his way towards goal before unleasing a strike cross keeper to the bottom right corner.
The goal spurred Sally-noggin into action and over the following few minutes they peppered goalkeeper Darren Green with strikes from distance, the Knock-mitten netminder tipping over two attempted lobs.
With the clock running down, centre-half Sean O’Keefe held firm cutting out multiple Pearse advances while they went close down the other end when McGuigan broke free on goal, but the opening was snuffed out.
The victory completed an impressive campaign by the Clondalkin outfit that began with a 7-0 trouncing of Enniskerry YC 7-0.
Things were not as straight forward for United afterwards as their quarter and semi-final match-ups with Iveagh Celtic and Ashbourne both went to extra-time.
In the quarters, they drew 3-3 against Celtic after extra-time and survived a penalty shootout before a Hanlon strike against Ashbourne in the semis in the first period of extra-time edged them into the decider.
