Tallaght United win bragging rights

TALLAGHT UNITED won the bragging rights to this UCFL Division 3B, Tallaght derby when they struck twice in quick succession shortly after half time to secure a great win, reports John Mooney.

The three points moved them above the Bawn and into contention for a promotion place, after a cracking encounter in Aylesbury Park on a cold Saturday morning.

This was a game of two halves as United opted to play up the slight hill on the pitch in the first half, soak up whatever pressure that was thrown at them, and come out flying in the second half.

It worked to a tee and, really, the Bawn will be wondering why they were left with nothing to show for all their possession.

They were the dominant force in the opening half and had United on the back foot for long periods, but a combination of stern defensive work and some smart saves by their keeper Rian Wade kept the visitors in the game.

But that all changed minutes into the second half, when Tallaght netted twice in the space of three minutes to gain control.

Old Bawn FC lost 2-1 to Tallaght United in Aylesbury Park

Five minutes after the restart they opened their account when a huge free kick from Gareth McGinn, from well inside his own half, caught the Bawns keeper Jordan Keating off guard and the ball sailed over his head and into the net.

That really rocked the home side back on their heels and barely three minutes later they doubled that, when Idris Kabia split the defence with a superb pass for Carl Gallagher to slip under the advancing Keating.

It was an uphill battle for the home side from that point, even though there was plenty of time to recover, but Tallaght had the bit between their teeth.

They harried and chased every ball as though their lives depended on it, even though the home side reduced the deficit with 20 minutes remaining.

Tallaght United won the bragging rights in the local derby

Matt Johansson played a high free kick into the area, Wade called to collect but Aaron Breslin got there before him and glanced a header home.

It was all systems go from that point but the Bawn just couldn’t secure the goal that would share the spoils, and Tallaght headed back to base the happier of the two.

OLD BAWN FC: J. Keating, K. Nville, D. Slevin, D. Kennedy, M. Johansson, A. Breslin, G. Perry, K. Coady, R. Geraghty, G. Murphy, D. O’Brien.

TALLAGHT UNITED: Rian Wade, John Niland, Idris Kabia, Paul Barry, Zakaria Oudineche, John Kelly, Gareth McGinn, Adam Notaro, Evan Byrne, Paul O’Dwyer, Darren Collins, Alan Fitzpatrick, Carl Gallagher.

REFEREE: P. Sheehan.

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