Stradbally march into the Shield thanks to seven of the best against Cloneygowan

CCFL Shield s/f 

Stradbally Town 7 

Cloneygowan Celtic 0 

CONOR Davis Park, home of Mountmellick United, was the venue for Saturday night’s semi final, played on a surface presented in excellent condition by the host club.

The opening half hour was evenly contested, with neither side able to assert dominance. Stradbally created the more threatening chances and broke the deadlock on 33 minutes. Conor Buggie cut in from the left flank and delivered a low cross into the box, where Benny Lawlor finished from close range to give his side the lead.

Stradbally doubled their advantage four minutes before the interval. James Devoy threaded a precise through ball to Buggie, who took his chance well, shooting low past the goalkeeper from 14 yards to send his side into the break 2–0 ahead.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Stradbally maintaining control. The lead was extended shortly after the restart when good work involving Buggie and Fionn McEvoy resulted in Jody Dillon finding the net from close range. On 53 minutes, Buggie capped an influential performance by scoring his second goal of the night, finishing another well constructed passing move.

Further goals followed as Stradbally pulled clear. Dillon added his second of the game before Justin Lalor struck from long range. Lawlor completed the scoring late on, also finding the net from distance to secure his second goal of the contest.

Stradbally were solid throughout, with goalkeeper Anto Skelly well shielded by a defensive unit that included captain Podge Fitzpatrick, Eamon Delaney, John Clancy and Man of the Match Cillian Maher. In midfield, Lalor worked tirelessly, while the experience of Lawlor and Dillon proved decisive in front of goal.

The result sees Stradbally progress to the final, where they will face either Gracefield United or Killavilla United.

Attention now turns back to league action, with Stradbally away to Killeigh this Wednesday night. That fixture was abandoned earlier in the month following a serious injury to the Killeigh goalkeeper. The match will take place at Frank McEvoy Park, Killeigh, with a 7pm kick off.

STRADBALLY: Anto Skelly; John Clancy, Eamon Delaney, Cillian Maher, Podge Fitzpatrick; Conor Buggie, James Devoy, Justin Lalor, Fionn McEvoy; Benny Lawlor, Jody Dillon.

Substitutes used: Ben Dillon, John Hayden, Tom Shiel.

Other subs: Cha O’Brien, Gavin Langton, Noah Delaney, Colin Beale.