What a game, Ballyoulster started off well, and could of beena goal up in the first 15mins. But then they started to let Ballybrack into the game and gave them a very easy goal after 25 mins(just to make it interesting). Then with 1 min to half time, a needless foul on the edge of the Ballyoulster box, led to a direct free kick being well taken and now Ballybrack were 2-0 up. Ballyoulster tipped off and the ref blew the whistle for half time. A heated discussion at half time with Ballyoulster led to the players going out with renewd confidence and showing how much they wanted this cup final appearance. Ballyoulster huffed and buffed , but could not blow down the Ballybrack defence, so they tried something different - they decided to strat going in for tackles and winning them. This new found arsenal in their armour paid off, when Aaron Commons broke free on the right to finished with a fantstic shot past the keeper, with the ball rippling the Ballybrack net. The feeling in the air and I sure on the pitch was GAME ON. Ballyoulster looked like a caged tiger that had been unleased. They fought with great pride for every ball and Ballybrack started to look dead on their feet. Time and time again Ballyoulster opened them up and where unlucky not to get the equalizer. But Mourinho was never in doubt , and has the ball suddenly made its way to Matt Murray, Moorinho knew this was it - With two minutes to go in normal time Murray broke free and scored the equalizer to put the game into extra time.
Ballyoulster now feeling the game was theirs , went out into extra time and tore the Ballybrack defence to shreds time and time again. Ballybrack fell backwards and gave up alot of territory. Ballyoulster were awarded a free kick after 5 mins of extra time, The ball was swung in and Kev Mc managed to get a head onto it - this fell just perfect for Jamie Hennesey to despatch the ball into the BAllybrack goal with the keeper looking on. Ballyoulster 3-2 up and Ballybrack looking at each other for some inspiration. With 3 mins gone in the 2nd half of extra time, a nothing ball from Ballybrack caused some confusion in the Ballyoulster defence and Ballybrack had equalized. 3-3 and now the dreaed penalties were looming. Moorinho had pre-dicted a 1-1 draw and a Ballyoulster win on penoes - okay he got some of this wrong - But it was 1-1 in extra time.
5 players stepped up. First up was Ballybrack, The Ballybrack players sent Eoin Smith the wrong way and so it was now 1-0 to Ballybrack. First up for Ballyoulster was Kev McGeough and Kev who is always lethal from this distance showed no mercy has he cooly put the ball in the Balllybrack net 1-1. Ballybrack took their second and scored. Matt Murray stepped up and once again All square. Then Eoin Smith pulled off a fantastic save - This was his 3rd penalty save of the year. Advantage Ballyoulster - Dylan Haugney then stepped up and once again the crowd cheers , you just knew Ballyoulster were on thier way. Eddie Ojo then stepped up to the crowds delight with a great finish. Last up was Shane O'Brien is perfectly uted sent the home team and fans into wild celebrations. With this kind of attitude and determination - Nobody will fancy playing us in the final.
In his after match interview - Moorinho took all the credit and told the onlooking reporters that this was alll part of the plan. "we just fooled them into thinking this was a game" we had planned to entertain the large crowd on the A pitch and felt that only a penalty shout out - after being 2-0 down at half time and with thier captain sent off - this is what dreams are made off. No MAN of the Match - to be honest could not single anyone out - the performance by the whole squad today was the best I have seen - Roll in the Final and Sacred Heart - Buster is coming to the party and unlike most of the players in the squad , we plan on pulling at the cup final - The cup better be on its way - one more game we need to work hard for.
