Double up for Stedfast
May 17th 1999. Evening Herald by Jimmy Geoghegan.
Stedfast United 2 - Sciroccos 0
After years of disappointment in the competition Stedfast United finally won the Leslie
Reynolds Cup at the AUL Complex on Wednesday evening.
Manager Nick Katus had every reason to be delighted with his charges afterwards as he
watched them give a confident, determined performance on an excellent surface that added
to the high quality of the match.
Two goals within a four minute spell early in the second-half decided the issue in favour
of a lively United side who created the more clear-cut chances throughout and in the end
were worthy winners of this keenly contested contest.
POUNCED
The opener arrived after 59 minutes when defender Darran Kavanagh powerfully headed a Gerry
Browne corner to the net and with Sciroccos still reeling Donal Deasy made it 2-0 - pounching
on a loose ball to score from 10 yards.
There was simply no way back for Sciroccos and suffering a double whammy in as many minutes.
But Stedfast could have easily notched up another goal or two at least with Deasy, Thomas
Kavanagh, Gordon Travers and Dino Mayanas going close and Stedfast had the better of exchanges
for the remainder of the game.
The performance of Sciroccos highly promising young keeper John Griffin also helped to contain
the Stedfast attacks - he brought off a couple of brilliant saves although he will be
disappointed to have spilled the ball for Deasy's goal.
INSPIRATION
Sciroccos worked very hard with Joe Dillon, Mike Carolan and Michael Coffey almost finding the
range in the first half.
They fell away after the break and were clearly lacking the flash of inspiration needed to
unlock the Fort Knox-like Stedfast defence.
And the evening was made complete for Stedfast's teenage full-back Alex Fox when he was named
man-of-the-match.
Stedfast United :
Hubert McCann, Mick Walsh, Alex Fox, Darran Kavanagh, John
Kingston, Gerry Browne, John Farrelly, Thomas Kavanagh, Dino Mayanas, Gordon Travers, Donal Deasey.
Subs : Conor Dalton for Browne, Tony Gillick for Mayanas, Alan Milton for Fox, Damien Byrne, Brian Lamon.
Sciroccos :
John Griffin, Eoin Corish, Joe Dillon, Conor Farelly, Neil Bedford, Mick
Carolan, Chris McGrath, Pat Bedford, Michael Coffey, John Barry, Conor Bedford.
Subs : Mick O'Shea for Barry, Alan Price for Coffey, Ken Gorman for Dillon, Declan Lowry.
Match Official :
Paul Tuite. Assistants : Bernard Brady, Paul Gartland.