Shelbourne have a good Knight

SHELBOURNE SSC finally got their hands on a coveted trophy they were looking for at their tenth attempt, when they won the UCFL Richard Knight Cup on a penalty shootout over AGPFC in Frank Cooke Park on Wednesday night reports John Mooney.

After nine defeats in various other cup finals, and Leagues, Shells finally entered the winners enclosure in what was a more dramatic than classic final.

With the sides level after 110 minutes play it was all down to the dreaded shootout, and the Shells lads kept their cool from the spot to get their names engraved on the second biggest prize on offer in the UCFL.

They got off to a perfect start against their Premier Division opposition when Gavin Fullam lobbed the ball into the area, where Daniel Lacey ghosted in between to defenders and slipped the ball beyond the advancing Jay Behan.

AGP’s response was positive enough and Shells knew they were in a game, and really their only problem was that they scored so early and had to soak up a bit of pressure.

So, really, when AGP got back on level terms it was no surprise, but the way they got back in the game was a surprise.

A free kick on the edge of the area was taken by Robin Schiller, Shells keeper Michael Murphy had it in his grasp, but let it slip between his legs and into the net.

Although, in the second half, both sides hit the crossbar this was still a very cagey affair, with no one wanting to make the mistake that would have conceded a goal.

However, on 65 minutes Shells got what looked like the winning goal when Lacey outpaced the defence and slipped the ball past Behan, who got a hand to it and almost prevented it from going in.

But in the dying minutes Chris Dunne lobbed home a beauty to send this game into extra time.

In fairness AGP were the better side in extra time and the Shells goal was, at times, peppered but they stood firm, and when the shootout came around they more than held their nerve to bring the Knight Cup down to Division 1.

AGPFC: J. Behan, C. McLoughlin, R. Schiller, M. Tuite, M. Cawley, P. Tuite, C. Glynn, T. Donoghue, C. Dunne, O. Meflah, K. Doyle, A. Molloy, G. Hamilton, S. McGarragle, G. Bailey, A. Cribben.

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