Match Report: Bluebell United 3-0 Seaford Rock United
Noel Ryan Cup

Seaford fell at the first hurdle in the Ryan Cup despite a fine performance against one of Ireland’s elite amateur clubs.
With a number of ex-pros in their starting eleven, not to mention a difference of three divisions between the teams, Bluebell were overwhelming favourites for the tie, but the final score was a harsh reflection on what was a reasonably tight contest for much of the game, even if the home side had a touch of extra quality on the crucial moments to turn the match to their advantage.
There was an early scare for Seaford when Stuart Smith fizzed a shot just wide in the first minute, but the first clear opportunity fell to the visitors on five minutes when Garrett Connolly got through on goal only to be denied by a fine Ross Gleeson tackle, with Kohei Masaki forcing a save from Craig O’Brien on the rebound.
Whilst the hosts largely controlled possession, Seaford’s pacey front four offered threat on the break, with MJ Tierney inches from opening the scoring with a whipped shot on 33 minutes. Only a brilliant recovery by Seaford keeper Eoin English denied Bluebell shortly afterwards after Robert Bayly’s through ball was deflected past him by Adam Finnegan , presenting Stephen Larkin with what seemed a tap-in before English somehow managed to get back to push the ball wide.
But Bluebell weren’t to be denied much longer. Moments later, Larkin slipped a through-ball for Smith, whose shot found the corner despite English getting a hand to it . English made another fine save to deny Larkin late in the half, but the Bluebell winger doubled their lead early in the second period, meeting Bayly's free kick with a downward header which found the bottom corner.
Seaford battled on, but couldn't catch a break in the opposition box. First, MJ Tierney rattled a free kick against the angle of post and bar, before Fionn Geoghegan burst forward from fullback on an overlap run, only for his cross to be clawed away by O'Brien, with Masaki ready to pounce. At the other end, Wanda Tomose missed a golden opportunity to put the outcome beyond doubt, before English made a fine save to deny Andy Noonan.
Tierney flashed a cross-shot just wide as the match moved into injury time, and Bluebell broke to add a third goal, as Noonan received a brilliant through-ball from Smith to fire in at the near post. The final score somewhat flattered the hosts, who had been made sweat for the win by a resilient Seaford performance.
Seaford: Eoin English,Fionn Geoghegan, Alan Brennan, Fionn Lawlor, Adam Finnegan, Denis Donnelly (Paul Lydon 67), Neil Harrington (Richard Barrett, 85), Chris Monk, (Conor Tobin, 67) MJ Tierney, Garrett Connolly (Ryan Scollard, 45), Kohei Masaki .
Bluebell United: Craig O'Brien, Gilmar Mandiangu, Stuart Smith, Adam Griffiths, Ross Gleeson, Adrian Harper, Toyeeh Mustapha, Andy Noonan, Jordan Keegan, Robert Bayly (Wanda Tomose 59), Stephen Larkin (Aaron Robinson, 67), Goals: Smith (37) Larkin (54) Noonan (90+1)
Red Cow, 11 November 2017
With a number of ex-pros in their starting eleven, not to mention a difference of three divisions between the teams, Bluebell were overwhelming favourites for the tie, but the final score was a harsh reflection on what was a reasonably tight contest for much of the game, even if the home side had a touch of extra quality on the crucial moments to turn the match to their advantage.
There was an early scare for Seaford when Stuart Smith fizzed a shot just wide in the first minute, but the first clear opportunity fell to the visitors on five minutes when Garrett Connolly got through on goal only to be denied by a fine Ross Gleeson tackle, with Kohei Masaki forcing a save from Craig O’Brien on the rebound.
Whilst the hosts largely controlled possession, Seaford’s pacey front four offered threat on the break, with MJ Tierney inches from opening the scoring with a whipped shot on 33 minutes. Only a brilliant recovery by Seaford keeper Eoin English denied Bluebell shortly afterwards after Robert Bayly’s through ball was deflected past him by Adam Finnegan , presenting Stephen Larkin with what seemed a tap-in before English somehow managed to get back to push the ball wide.
But Bluebell weren’t to be denied much longer. Moments later, Larkin slipped a through-ball for Smith, whose shot found the corner despite English getting a hand to it . English made another fine save to deny Larkin late in the half, but the Bluebell winger doubled their lead early in the second period, meeting Bayly's free kick with a downward header which found the bottom corner.
Seaford battled on, but couldn't catch a break in the opposition box. First, MJ Tierney rattled a free kick against the angle of post and bar, before Fionn Geoghegan burst forward from fullback on an overlap run, only for his cross to be clawed away by O'Brien, with Masaki ready to pounce. At the other end, Wanda Tomose missed a golden opportunity to put the outcome beyond doubt, before English made a fine save to deny Andy Noonan.
Tierney flashed a cross-shot just wide as the match moved into injury time, and Bluebell broke to add a third goal, as Noonan received a brilliant through-ball from Smith to fire in at the near post. The final score somewhat flattered the hosts, who had been made sweat for the win by a resilient Seaford performance.
Seaford: Eoin English,Fionn Geoghegan, Alan Brennan, Fionn Lawlor, Adam Finnegan, Denis Donnelly (Paul Lydon 67), Neil Harrington (Richard Barrett, 85), Chris Monk, (Conor Tobin, 67) MJ Tierney, Garrett Connolly (Ryan Scollard, 45), Kohei Masaki .
Bluebell United: Craig O'Brien, Gilmar Mandiangu, Stuart Smith, Adam Griffiths, Ross Gleeson, Adrian Harper, Toyeeh Mustapha, Andy Noonan, Jordan Keegan, Robert Bayly (Wanda Tomose 59), Stephen Larkin (Aaron Robinson, 67), Goals: Smith (37) Larkin (54) Noonan (90+1)
Red Cow, 11 November 2017