Tallaght raise Bedlow Cup after derby win
By Alex Barrett
Tallaght United raised the UCFL Sidney Bedlow Cup after Dylan Kelly struck in the first half to edge out local rivals St Maelruans at Whitehall Stadium in Drumcondra on Saturday afternoon.
Maelruans started strong from the kick-off, with Scott Brian immediately attacking down the wing, but he was caught offside, leaving Tallaght’s Dylan Kelly to relieve the danger with the resulting free kick.
Tallaght United proudlt raise the UCFL Sidney Bedlow Cup
Kelly then made a run down the left wing for a shot on goal, but Maelruans keeper Sean Hyland pulled off the first of several great saves during the match.
Tallaght were awarded another dangerous free two minutes later after Maelruans Glen Davis brought down Jamie Walsh.
The latter took the resulting setpiece, dropp-ing it down onto the head of Jason Carpenter but Sean Hyland once again made it look easy, catching the ball cleanly.
Maelruans countered quickly from the goal kick, pressuring defender Robert Baxter into hitting it out for a corner that saw Scott Brien cross to Aaron Kennedy, but his shot deflected off the Tallaght defence and flew over.
Tallaght were beginning to assume control of the game, with attacking duo Jamie Walsh and Dylan Kelly wreaking havoc down the left wing. Walsh made several great crosses into the box, but none were directed to the net thanks in no small part to the efforts of Sean Hyland.
They seized an opportunity however, after a free was awarded against Maelruan’s in the 28th minute. Walsh delivered it into the box and a clever redirection from Kelly slipped it past the keeper, putting Tallaght in the lead.
Tallaght almost extended their advantage two minutes leader after Walsh attempted a similar shot, but Hyland snatched the ball right off the head of Kelly.
A pep talk and some clever substitutions led to a mighty effort from Maelruans in the second half, but despite some close efforts were unable to get back into the game.
A long shot from Daire O’Connor was tipped over by Tallaght keeper Adam Nilano’s while captain Jamie Kennedy had another opportunity but was intercepted by Tallaght defender Robert Baxter.
Maelruan’s spirit was not broken, fighting until the last minute, when Kenn-edy’s free kick had to be punched over by Nilano.
However, with emotions running high, matters turned a little fractious after the final whistle with Maelruan’s Luka Efretin and Tallaght’s Byan Kinsellla both being sent off after an otherwise great game.
Tallaght: A Nilano, D. Elton, G. O’Hara, J. Murray, J. Daly, R. Baxter. J. McLewan, J. Carpenter, D. Kelly, J. Walsh, K. Curry. Subs: D. Collins, B. Kinsella, L. O’Brien, D. Ledden, J. Rooney, C. Stewart, K. Doherty.
St. Maelruans: S. Hyland, D. Fernandez, J. Kennedy, I. Doyle, J. Keating, S. Brien, A. Kennedy, D. O’Connor, J. Dawson, G. Davis, P. Makuba Subs: D. Nwgor, L. Efretin, R. Moradi, M. Dalton, F. Said, R. Kennedy
