Match Report: Seaford Rock United 2-0 Templeogue United
LSL Sat Major 1
Seaford got off to a bright start in Major 1 with a commanding performance to see off Templeogue United in sweltering conditions in Rockfield Park.
The home side were on the front foot from the very start, forcing a string of early corners, and from one short-corner routine, Mike O'Neill got free at the back post. He met Al Kennedy's cross with a brilliant downward header, only for Jamie Austin to make a breathtaking save low to his right to divert the ball away.
O'Neill continue to offer a major set-piece threat, getting up brilliantly at the back post to tee up Ryan Scollard, only for his header to be taken off the line by a defender. Seaford thought that'd made the breakthrough on 41, when Al Kennedy's 20 yard shot rebounded off the post, allowing his brother Dan to find the back of the net with the rebound, but it was ruled out for offside.
Into the second half and the Penguins continued to dominate. Darragh Connolly was offering the biggest threat, cutting in off the left wing. First he was inches away from a brilliant finish when he met Ryan Scollard's threaded through-ball first-time, and then he let one go from 25 yards which fizzed just past the post with Austin rooted to his spot.
So it was no surprise when it was Connolly who finally made the breakthrough on 66 minutes, collecting Cian McGuinness's pass and bamboozling his man before firing home from the edge of the box, via a deflection.
Oisin Geoghegan had had a very quiet afternoon in the opposite goal and the closest Templeogue game all match was when striker Dillon met Alex Leech's left wing cross with a looping header, but it dropped over the crossbar.
Otherwise, the men in navy made all the running, with substitute MJ Tierney, clipping the post with a free kick before the game's outstanding moment on 78 minutes settled the outcome. Paul Tansey's superb pass set Scollard away down the left wing, and after initially trying to find Harry Crowe, he recovered the ball and let rip with an unstoppable 25 yard effort that nearly broke the far post in two before rebounding into the net.
Seaford might had added further sheen to the scoreline but they'll be more than satisfied with a win and a clean sheet to start the season.
Seaford: Oisin Geoghegan, Darragh Roche (Jack Burke, 74), Paul Tansey, Mike O'Neill, Cian McGuinness, Sam Browne Al Kennedy, Darragh Connolly, (Brian Murphy, 77) Adam O'Shea, (MJ Tierney, 65) , Dan Kennedy (Harry Crowe, 65), Ryan Scollard (Eoin Mahon, 87)
Templeogue United: Jamie Austin, Gvin Jones, Gavin Kenny, Danny Walsh, Robert Orr, Jamie Carroll, Fionn Carroll (Mark Dowling, 76), Will O'Brien (Miles Dibanzalua, 71), David O'Hara, Mattie Dillon, Alex Leech (Niall Farrell, 76)
Rockfield Park, 17 July 2021
The home side were on the front foot from the very start, forcing a string of early corners, and from one short-corner routine, Mike O'Neill got free at the back post. He met Al Kennedy's cross with a brilliant downward header, only for Jamie Austin to make a breathtaking save low to his right to divert the ball away.
O'Neill continue to offer a major set-piece threat, getting up brilliantly at the back post to tee up Ryan Scollard, only for his header to be taken off the line by a defender. Seaford thought that'd made the breakthrough on 41, when Al Kennedy's 20 yard shot rebounded off the post, allowing his brother Dan to find the back of the net with the rebound, but it was ruled out for offside.
Into the second half and the Penguins continued to dominate. Darragh Connolly was offering the biggest threat, cutting in off the left wing. First he was inches away from a brilliant finish when he met Ryan Scollard's threaded through-ball first-time, and then he let one go from 25 yards which fizzed just past the post with Austin rooted to his spot.
So it was no surprise when it was Connolly who finally made the breakthrough on 66 minutes, collecting Cian McGuinness's pass and bamboozling his man before firing home from the edge of the box, via a deflection.
Oisin Geoghegan had had a very quiet afternoon in the opposite goal and the closest Templeogue game all match was when striker Dillon met Alex Leech's left wing cross with a looping header, but it dropped over the crossbar.
Otherwise, the men in navy made all the running, with substitute MJ Tierney, clipping the post with a free kick before the game's outstanding moment on 78 minutes settled the outcome. Paul Tansey's superb pass set Scollard away down the left wing, and after initially trying to find Harry Crowe, he recovered the ball and let rip with an unstoppable 25 yard effort that nearly broke the far post in two before rebounding into the net.
Seaford might had added further sheen to the scoreline but they'll be more than satisfied with a win and a clean sheet to start the season.
Seaford: Oisin Geoghegan, Darragh Roche (Jack Burke, 74), Paul Tansey, Mike O'Neill, Cian McGuinness, Sam Browne Al Kennedy, Darragh Connolly, (Brian Murphy, 77) Adam O'Shea, (MJ Tierney, 65) , Dan Kennedy (Harry Crowe, 65), Ryan Scollard (Eoin Mahon, 87)
Templeogue United: Jamie Austin, Gvin Jones, Gavin Kenny, Danny Walsh, Robert Orr, Jamie Carroll, Fionn Carroll (Mark Dowling, 76), Will O'Brien (Miles Dibanzalua, 71), David O'Hara, Mattie Dillon, Alex Leech (Niall Farrell, 76)
Rockfield Park, 17 July 2021