Match Report: St Mochta's 4-2 Seaford Rock United
LSL Sat Major 1B
Seaford battled hard but ran out of steam against a talented Mochta's side in sunny conditions in Castleknock.
The first half was low on goalmouth action. Seaford had the first chance when home keeper Adam Kmet picked up a backpass, but from the resultant indirect free-kick, MJ Tierney, was unable to find the corner with his side-footed effort, the ball cleared off the line by Brian Kelly.
Mochtas enjoyed plenty of possession in front of the Seaford defence but struggled to create an opportunity until late in the half. Jay Morgan saw his effort blocked by Fionn Lawlor, and Simon McGinty was called upon to beat away a powerful Aaron O'Brien strike, before Glen O'Donnell was laid on by Graham Hughes, only to slide his effort just wide.
Seaford took the lead against the run of play early in the second half when Garrett Connolly dispossessed Kelly and ran in on goal to finish, but the home side were quick to restore parity, as Hughes found the net amidst offside appeals.
Mochta's added two more stylish goals in the space of five minutes to give themselves a commanding lead, as first Hughes side-footed home following a counter-attack, before O'Donnell's backheel laid in Aaron O'Brien to make it 3-1.
The visitors were beginning to tire, but Connolly was inspirational leading the line, and he netted a copycat second on 79 minutes, this time nicking the ball off Dave Bellew before beating Kmet.
There was some controversy about the goal which ultimately put the outcome beyond doubt. Seaford were furious with the decision not to adjudge O'Donnell offside, but instead he squared for O'Brien to complete his brace at the back post.
Seaford exerted some late pressure, with substitute Carl Doyle forcing a fine stop from Kmet after Fionn Geoghegan had laid him in, but they had left themselves with too much to do and for all the visitors' complaints about a couple of the Mochta's goals, there was no question but that the better team won on the day.
Seaford: Simon McGinty Alan Brennan, (Conan Murphy, 81), Paul Tansey, Fionn Lawlor, Fionn Geoghegan, Andy Roe (Gavin Walsh, 84), Paul Lydon (Steve Kane, 76), MJ Tierney, Donal Howley, Peter Tierney (Carl Doyle, 84) Garrett Connolly. Goals: Connolly (54, 79)
St Mochta's: Adam Kmet, Craig Murray, Conor Grogan, Dave Bellew, Brian Kelly, John O'Leary, Aaron O'Brien, Jay Morgan (Dylan Sweeney, 70), Glen O'Donnell, Mark Sheridan, Graham Hughes (Mick McCauley, 76). Goals: Hughes (62, 70) O'Brien (74, 81)
Porterstown Road, 21 April 2018
The first half was low on goalmouth action. Seaford had the first chance when home keeper Adam Kmet picked up a backpass, but from the resultant indirect free-kick, MJ Tierney, was unable to find the corner with his side-footed effort, the ball cleared off the line by Brian Kelly.
Mochtas enjoyed plenty of possession in front of the Seaford defence but struggled to create an opportunity until late in the half. Jay Morgan saw his effort blocked by Fionn Lawlor, and Simon McGinty was called upon to beat away a powerful Aaron O'Brien strike, before Glen O'Donnell was laid on by Graham Hughes, only to slide his effort just wide.
Seaford took the lead against the run of play early in the second half when Garrett Connolly dispossessed Kelly and ran in on goal to finish, but the home side were quick to restore parity, as Hughes found the net amidst offside appeals.
Mochta's added two more stylish goals in the space of five minutes to give themselves a commanding lead, as first Hughes side-footed home following a counter-attack, before O'Donnell's backheel laid in Aaron O'Brien to make it 3-1.
The visitors were beginning to tire, but Connolly was inspirational leading the line, and he netted a copycat second on 79 minutes, this time nicking the ball off Dave Bellew before beating Kmet.
There was some controversy about the goal which ultimately put the outcome beyond doubt. Seaford were furious with the decision not to adjudge O'Donnell offside, but instead he squared for O'Brien to complete his brace at the back post.
Seaford exerted some late pressure, with substitute Carl Doyle forcing a fine stop from Kmet after Fionn Geoghegan had laid him in, but they had left themselves with too much to do and for all the visitors' complaints about a couple of the Mochta's goals, there was no question but that the better team won on the day.
Seaford: Simon McGinty Alan Brennan, (Conan Murphy, 81), Paul Tansey, Fionn Lawlor, Fionn Geoghegan, Andy Roe (Gavin Walsh, 84), Paul Lydon (Steve Kane, 76), MJ Tierney, Donal Howley, Peter Tierney (Carl Doyle, 84) Garrett Connolly. Goals: Connolly (54, 79)
St Mochta's: Adam Kmet, Craig Murray, Conor Grogan, Dave Bellew, Brian Kelly, John O'Leary, Aaron O'Brien, Jay Morgan (Dylan Sweeney, 70), Glen O'Donnell, Mark Sheridan, Graham Hughes (Mick McCauley, 76). Goals: Hughes (62, 70) O'Brien (74, 81)
Porterstown Road, 21 April 2018