HARD AND 'FAST WIN
United book final place
March 23rd 1999. The Star by Derek Wilcox.
Loughlinstown Boys 1 - Stedfast United 3
Premier Division high flyers Stedfast are still on course for a double this season. They
cruised into the Progressive Cup Final after a victory over Division 1 side Loughlinstown
Boys at the AUL Complex last Saturday. Loughlinstown stunned Stedfast by taking the lead in
the fourth minute when a long clearance by Trevor Smyth was headed into his own goal by
Stedfast defender Joe Reynolds.
Magnificent
Substitute Karl Walsh equalised for Stedfast in the 49th minute with a magnificent strike
from the edge of the 18 yard box after a poor clearance by the Loughlinstown defence. Robert
Doyle grabbed Stedfast's second of the game and Gary Whyte was on target with United's third
after a determined run to kill off the game. Playing with the hill and a strong wind at
their backs Loughlinstown looked very dangerous in the first half and created a number of
chances but Stedfast keeper Derek Dunne was always quick off his line and alert to every
danger, Robert McLoughlin thought he had doubled Loughlinstown's advantage in the 12th
minute but unfortunately his goal was disallowed for off-side. The match proved very
frustrating for Stedfast central defender Reynolds who was forced to retire in the 37th
minute due to a hamstring injury. Stedfast were forced to reorganise at the back and sent on
lively winger Karl Walsh to replace Reynolds and his substitution certainly proved
inspirational. Stedfast came out all fired up at the start of the second-half and, with the
wind and hill in their favour, it was not long before they were back on level terms. Stedfast
killed off the game in the 63rd minute after a lovely one-two involving Gary Whyte and Robert
Doyle before Whyte forced the ball home.
Entertaining
Stedfast will now play Strand United in the final at Tolka Park on the date yet to be confirmed,
in what should be a very close and entertaining match. A delighted Stedfast manager Billy Long
said after the game, "I was delighted with the way the team played and stuck with the
game plan, despite going behind to an early goal. I knew Loughlinstown would be fired up for
today's game but I felt we had the quality to go all the way. Karl Walsh did very well when he
went on and took his goal superbly. He was a bit disappointed not to be in the starting line
up having played every game this season. Full credit to Loughlinstown for making it a very
entertaining and exciting match and hopefully we can now go all the way and lift the trophy."
STEDFAST
: Derek Dunne, Ken O'Reilly, Paul Nugent, Joe Reynolds, Paul Geraghty,
Robbie Donnelly, Kevin Norris, Niall Little, Gary Whyte, Bob Doyle, Eugene Long.
Subs : Karl Walsh for Reynolds (37 mins), Robbie Giltrap for Donnelly (77 mins).
Subs not used: John Garvin, Willie Houston.
REFEREE: Bernard Brady.