Feature game

Christopher Stanley Division 1 Cup Final.

Bush Celtic FC 3 Clane United FC 3

(Clane United win 5-4 on penalties AET)

Clane United and Bush Celtic served up a six-goal thriller in the Christipher Stanley Division 1 Cup Final in Kilcullen on Sunday.

Bush are in the running to win the Division 1 league, whilst Clane have been disappointed with their league form, but both teams have always been evenly matched, so a tight game was always likely. Add to that the big occasion of a Cup Final, and the stage was set for a great contest, and the two teams did not disappoint. 

Clane started the brightest, and had two early chances which fell to Aaron Seery, but unfortunately, he narrowly missed the target on both occasions, with the ball slipping tantalisingly past the post. It was not surprise when Clane took the lead in the 10^th minute, when some lovely build up play saw the ball fall to Eddie O'Loughlin, who made no mistake from 12 yards, drilling the ball low into the Bush net. This seemed to spark Bush into action, and they equalised in the 15^th minute when a quick break and some lovely inter-passing saw Harry Dolan released on the left and he made no mistake, placing the ball behind Emmett Martin in the Clane goal. Clane then had two very strong appeals for penalty kicks, but to their consternation on both occasions they were waved away by referee Gareth Fletcher. Play was very much end to end, with both teams having opportunities to add to their tallies, but it was Clane who regained the lead on the half hour mark when a ball was cleared from a corner and landed at the feet of Danny Callan, who shot from fully 30 yards, and the wet ball, coupled with the power of the strike, saw the unfortunate Bush goalkeeper spill the ball over the line. 

Bush came back again and equalised right on the stroke of half time. Emmet Martin in the Clane came for a cross, and did look to be impeded, but as the ball broke Stephen Dunne in the Clane defence clipped Harry Dolan's ankles and Gareth Fletcher duly pointed to the spot. Alex King took the spot kick and duly despatched it beyond Martin in the Clane goal. The second half was again end to end with some fantastic football being played on the break. Clane and Bush both went very close, with Bush hitting the woodwork and Clane hitting the side netting, before Bush took the lead for the first time. A harmless looking cross from the right wasn't properly dealt with by the Clane defence and it was full back Ben Coleman who nipped in to header Bush into the lead. 

Clane pushed all the way, but the Bush defence held strong and were managing to thwart any Clane attacks. Just as the final whistle was about to blow, in the 94^th minute Scott Britton broke down the right flank and with the Bush defence expecting a cross, he unleashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net to make it 3-3 on the day and force us into extra time. Shortly afterwards James Ryan was perhaps a bit unfortunate to pick up a second yellow card so Bush were forced to play extra time with 10 men. Clane could not capitalise on the man advantage, and indeed Bush looked the likelier, with the post saving Clane when an outstanding Dolan shot curled past keeper Emmett Martin before bouncing out. So it went to the dreaded penalty shoot out. Clane’s first three attempts from Aaron Seery, Kiril Potapenko and Ross Murphy were on target and with the score at 3-2, it was the unfortunate Harry Dolan from Bush who hit the crossbar with his penalty. Clane's next two penalty takers Eddie O'Loughlin and Danny Callan duly held their nerve to see Clane win the cup on a 5-4 scoreline on penalties. 

This was a game that was a credit to Division 1 and Kildare football in general. Bush can count themselves unlucky, and Clane will consider they did maybe just enough to shade it, but there was only a kick of a ball between the two teams. The game was played in great spirit, two good footballing teams giving their all, but showing incredible respect and sportsmanship throughout. Best for Bush were James Ryan, Eoghan Molloy, Dean King and Harry Dolan, whilst for the winners it was an all-round superb team performance but special mention to Aaron Seery, Craig Murray, Stephen Dunne, Jack Crowly and Scott Britton for the outstanding equaliser.  For Clane, it was a superb way to end the season, whilst for Bush, whilst disappointed, all their efforts will now turn to winning the league title.

Special thanks to Kilcullen AFC for the use of their superb amenities, and to the supporters who attended the final and made it such a great occasion.