Stradbally had to dig deep to advance to cup semi-final

 Longford Shamrocks 1 

Stradbally Town 3 (AET) 

A NIGHT of high drama on the new Astro pitch in Gainstown, home of Mullingar Athletic, saw Stradbally progress to the last four of their Divisional cup and they had to do it the hard way.

Shamrocks started the game on the front foot and had the men in green under pressure early on but Stradbally grew into the game and looked dangerous when they broke forward. While Shamrocks were enjoying possession they were restricted to long range efforts that Anto Skelly had under control.

Stradbally thought they were ahead on 36 minutes after a scramble from a corner seemed to have crossed the line, however it was waved away by the referee.

The best chance of the half then fell to Jody Dillion who was put through on 40 minutes by Benny Lawlor but he was adjudged to be offside when just about to get his strike off leaving it scoreless at the break.

The second period carried a similar pattern to the first half with Shamrocks tough in their tackling, limiting the away side to few chances while at the other end the Stradbally defence stood firm at anything threw at them with Cillian Maher calling the shots and winning numerous aerial battles against a physical Longford attack.

The home side did take the lead on 67 minutes when a long punt from the Shamrocks’ defence to attack saw the Longford striker and Anto Skelly come together at the edge of the area. While the Stradbally stopper got there first with a sliding tackle it cruelly rebounded off the attacker and found its way to the net.

Stradbally didn’t panic however and made a couple of changes to add fresh legs. They continued to pass the ball well with Justin Lalor at the heart of most moves being created. One of these saw Jody Dillon put through on 81 minutes only for his clipped effort past the keeper to be cleared by a defender tracking back who clipped his own crossbar with the clearance.

It seemed it just wasn’t going to happen at this stage with the home keeper pulling off a couple more fine saves but then on 88 minutes Benny Lawlor was sent through and was brought down by the out rushing keeper who had been excellent all evening.

The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and the in form Justin Lalor stepped up and slotted home the resulting spot kick to send the game into extra-time.

The first period of extra time didn’t see too many chances created but it was clear the away side were on top now looking to have more left in the tank than their counterparts.

Stradbally kept moving, kept looking for that chance and thought they had it on 105 minutes when Podge Fitzpatrick found himself on the end of a Noah Delaney cross into the area but the ball just fell wrongly for him.

With the tie looking like it was heading for the dreaded penalties and with just a couple of minutes left Jody Dillion found himself 22 yards out from goal. While moving towards goal he used a couple of defenders in front of him to angle a magnificent curling effort around them and past the outstretched keeper’s left to nestle in the home net to the delight of the Stradbally travelling support, a terrific strike from the Stradbally front man.

The home side then threw the kitchen sink in an effort to take the game to penalties but just as they did Stradbally broke up the field with Tadgh Mullen down the right finding Dillion on the edge of the area who in turn squared it for Benny Lawlor who took a touch and slotted home cooly to the delight once again of the away bench and travelling supporters and send Stradbally into the semi-finals.

An incredible finish to a very entertaining night of action with the away side having to dig very deep and show great fight to get through this one after a fine display from their opponents Longford Shamrocks.

For Stradbally everyone had to battle hard on the night and give their all but Justin Lalor, Jody Dillon and Man of the Match Cillian Maher who was outstanding at centre-half were the pick of the bunch.

STRADBALLY TOWN: Anto Skelly, Noah Delaney, Cillian Maher, John Hayden, Colin Beale, Liam Clancy, John Clancy, Justin Lalor, Podge Fitzpatrick, Benny Lawlor and Jody Dillon.

SUBS: Charlie O’Brien for Beale, Tadgh Mullen for L Clancy, Gavin Langton and Cailium Kelly.