Dundalk IT win the Bob Eustace cup

Dundalk IT 3-0 Tipperary Institute
Murphy 55
Johnston 65
O’Donnell 88

Dundalk IT finished on top in the Bob Eustace Cup Final played at Salthill Devon’s grounds in Drom, Galway on Wednesday last. The game was played in poor conditions with a very strong wind blowing from end to end, making it the proverbial game of two halves.

Dundalk won the toss and elected to play against the wind in the first period and while Tipperary Institute applied pressure and Hensey looked dangerous up front, they were unable to create many clear chances against a resolute defence. In fact the best chance of the half felt to Dundalk when O’Donnell volleyed against the underside of the crossbar.

With the sides level at the break, the teams switched around and the pressure immediately came on the Tipperary side. The breakthrough for Dundalk came following a corner from the left side. The clearing header was met on the half volley by Murphy on the edge of the area and driven low to the corner of the net through a forest of bodies with the keeper unsighted.

Tipperary Institute went in search of an equaliser and came close when Rencontre got in behind the defence, but unfortunately his shot from a tight angle went over the bar. Shortly after Tipperary received a further set-back when they conceded a second. A free kick from out on the Dundalk right wing, was met at the back post by their centre back, Barthe, and headed back into the path of Johnston to score with the simplest of headers from four yards out.

While TI brought on some fresh legs and continued to plug away to reduce the deficit, Dundalk held strong and used the wind to ensure there were no clear chances. In the end it was Dundalk who scored next to end the game as a contest on 88 minutes. A direct free kick from about forty yards with a strong wind behind, was powerfully struck by Flynn, and while Dargan in the Tipperary goal made an excellent save, the ball rebounded to O’Donnell to turn it home and wrap up the game.

At the presentation directly after Bob Eustace, the president of the Colleges Football Association of Ireland, commended both teams on an entertaining game played in extremely difficult conditions.

Tipperary Institute/St Pats : Pierce Dargan, Jonathon Crean, Kevin Keegan (Capt), Rob Browne, Graham Guiry, Proinseas Matthews, Phil O’Brien, Seamus Ryan, Robin Murray, Simon Hensey, David Rencontre Subs: Tony Greene for Rencontre 60, Gearoid O’Connor for Matthews 60, David Brophy for Murray 70, Dean Grannell for Ryan 75, Justin Dermody for Phil O’Brien 85, Paul Bowe, Ciaran McConway, Management: Michael Cox, Phil Treacy

Dundalk IT: Michael McEvoy, Darren Kane, Karl Johnston, Luke McDonnell, Ben Barthe, Brendan O’Donnell, Alan Doyle, Joseph Flynn, Eoin Murray, Sean Hand, Gary McGrane Subs: Johnny McGailey, John Scott, Barry Mooney, Des Eiffe, Colin Nolan Manager: Brian Donnelly