Match Report: Seaford Rock United 1-5 Inchicore Athletic
LSL Saturday Major 1B
Seaford crashed to a heavy defeat after a desperately disappointing performance at Rockfield Park.
Even if the margin of victory flattered the visitors after what was an evenly balanced match in large parts, there was no disputing that Inchicore were deserving winners on account of their uncompromising effectiveness and ruthless finishing.
Both sides hit the post during a goalless first half hour, with Inchicore's Adam Ryan seeing his corner kick rebound off the far post, before at the other end Chris Monk glanced a header off the upright seconds after Garrett Connolly had been denied by keeper Martin Carroll when through on goal.
Core hit the front moments later. Jack Cronin flicked on a long ball into the path of Daniel Geraghty, who failed to connect cleanly with his striker but saw it bounce awkwardly under Oisin Geoghegan and into the net.
Seaford's equaliser followed a similar format: Geoghegan's long punt was flicked on by Chris Monk, and Stephen Canavan did brilliantly to turn his man inside and out before firing low past Carroll.
But the home side couldn't see the game through til half time, when Darragh Connolly was penalised for an apparent trip in the box, and Conor Bolton slotted home the resultant spot-kick.
It was to get worse for the men in maroon early in the second half when, from Craig Smithers's cross, Geraghty nodded the ball across goal for Corey O'Rourke to tap in. Moments later, the home side worked an identical opportunity when Garrett Connolly headed Fionn Lawlor's free kick into the path of his brother Darragh, only for the winger to fire over the bar.
Seaford took control of the game, pinning Inchicore into their own half, but clear chances were in short supply. Substitute Paul Tansey smashed a long range shot that was beaten away by Carroll, but it was an opposing substitute who sealed the points for the visitors, Lee English forcing the ball into the net at the back post from Geraghty's cross.
There was still time for man-of-the-match Geraghty to add a fifth late on, running in on goal unchallenged after pouncing on a defensive error.
The defeat ends a run of five unbeaten for Seaford.
Seaford: Oisin Geoghegan; Mike O'Neill (Steve Kane, 80), Gavin Walsh (Paul Tansey, 61), Stephen Kelly; Ian Nolan, Sam Browne (Oli Wright, 50), Chris Monk (Patryk Szafranski, 75), Fionn Lawlor, Darragh Connolly (Mark Sullivan, 61), Garrett Connolly, Stephen Canavan: Goal: Canavan (42)
Inchicore Athletic: Martin Carroll, Adam Ryan, Adam Duffy (Lee English, 70), John Byrne (Jack Morley, 62), Conor Dunne, Craig Smithers, Jack Cronin, Conor Bolton, Daniel Geraghty, Corey O'Rourke, Sean Hoare (Gerard Marshall, 62). Goals: Geraghty (33, 88) Cronan (45+3 pen), O'Rourke (52) English (78)
Rockfield Park, 6 October 2018
Even if the margin of victory flattered the visitors after what was an evenly balanced match in large parts, there was no disputing that Inchicore were deserving winners on account of their uncompromising effectiveness and ruthless finishing.
Both sides hit the post during a goalless first half hour, with Inchicore's Adam Ryan seeing his corner kick rebound off the far post, before at the other end Chris Monk glanced a header off the upright seconds after Garrett Connolly had been denied by keeper Martin Carroll when through on goal.
Core hit the front moments later. Jack Cronin flicked on a long ball into the path of Daniel Geraghty, who failed to connect cleanly with his striker but saw it bounce awkwardly under Oisin Geoghegan and into the net.
Seaford's equaliser followed a similar format: Geoghegan's long punt was flicked on by Chris Monk, and Stephen Canavan did brilliantly to turn his man inside and out before firing low past Carroll.
But the home side couldn't see the game through til half time, when Darragh Connolly was penalised for an apparent trip in the box, and Conor Bolton slotted home the resultant spot-kick.
It was to get worse for the men in maroon early in the second half when, from Craig Smithers's cross, Geraghty nodded the ball across goal for Corey O'Rourke to tap in. Moments later, the home side worked an identical opportunity when Garrett Connolly headed Fionn Lawlor's free kick into the path of his brother Darragh, only for the winger to fire over the bar.
Seaford took control of the game, pinning Inchicore into their own half, but clear chances were in short supply. Substitute Paul Tansey smashed a long range shot that was beaten away by Carroll, but it was an opposing substitute who sealed the points for the visitors, Lee English forcing the ball into the net at the back post from Geraghty's cross.
There was still time for man-of-the-match Geraghty to add a fifth late on, running in on goal unchallenged after pouncing on a defensive error.
The defeat ends a run of five unbeaten for Seaford.
Seaford: Oisin Geoghegan; Mike O'Neill (Steve Kane, 80), Gavin Walsh (Paul Tansey, 61), Stephen Kelly; Ian Nolan, Sam Browne (Oli Wright, 50), Chris Monk (Patryk Szafranski, 75), Fionn Lawlor, Darragh Connolly (Mark Sullivan, 61), Garrett Connolly, Stephen Canavan: Goal: Canavan (42)
Inchicore Athletic: Martin Carroll, Adam Ryan, Adam Duffy (Lee English, 70), John Byrne (Jack Morley, 62), Conor Dunne, Craig Smithers, Jack Cronin, Conor Bolton, Daniel Geraghty, Corey O'Rourke, Sean Hoare (Gerard Marshall, 62). Goals: Geraghty (33, 88) Cronan (45+3 pen), O'Rourke (52) English (78)
Rockfield Park, 6 October 2018