Ita Farrell Cup Champions

Combined Counties Football League - Ita Farrell Cup FinalMullingar Town Youths are Ita Farrell Cup champions when they beat Clongowes Wood over two legs by seven goals to six. Mullingar Town drew four all in the first leg in Clongowes Wood College and the Town won by three goals to two in the second leg played in Dalton Park last Saturday evening to bring the Ita Farrell Cup to Mullingar for the first time.The game was played in very wet conditions but both teams played good football in front of a decent crowd who braved the bad weather conditions.Mullingar Town went in front after twelve minutes when James Nea the 16 year old got on the end of a Philip Bell pass to give the Clongowes Wood keeper no chance to score a good goal. Both teams had other chances in the first half but both keepers were in control and were not beaten. Mullingar Town team were playing well as a unit and were working hard for each other. Dean Moore and Craig Charles worked hard in the centre of midfield and were well supported by James Nea and Adam Price. Ethan Scally the Town Captain and Mark Connolly in the middle of the Town defence were giving nothing away and were well supported by Darren Hickey and Sean Nester the Town full backs. Brian McGowan in the Town goals had a good game.Up front Philip Bell and Thomas Barry put in two great performances for the team and ran their socks off to help the team.In the second half Clongowes Wood with the help of the windy conditions were on top for the first twenty minutes and scored two goals, the first from a penalty and the second from open play in the 62nd minute to take the lead. Mullingar Town made two changes at this stage, Niall Kershaw on for a tiring Sean Hester and Kyle McGurran for the injured Mark Connolly. Thomas Barry and Craig Charles went back to centre back positions and Ethan Scally switched into midfield with Kyle McGurran going to centre forward. Mullingar Town fought for every ball and got back in the game when Ethan Scally was brought down on the edge of the box and was awarded a penalty. Ethan Scally put Mullingar Town level from the spot with a well taken penalty in the 75th minute.Both teams tried hard to get the winner in normal time but the referee blue for full time with the score level two all. Extra time was played with no score in the first period. In the second period Mullingar Town"s Dean Moore ran seventy yards with the ball down the left wing and forced a corner off the Clongowes Wood full back. Dean Moore"s corner kick was headed in by Thomas Barry for a great goal and a goal to win any cup final with three minutes left. Mullingar Town brought on David Ekstern and Daragh Darcy for the tiring Philip Bell and Adam Price.Clongowes Wood had one more chance to draw level in the last minute when the referee gave them a free kick just outside the area but they shot over the bar and then the final whistle blew and Mullingar Town Youths were Ita Farrell Cup Champions. After the game Chris Hand from the Combined Counties Football League presented the cup to the Towns captain Ethan Scally to the delight of the Towns players, management and supporters.Team: Brian McGowan, Darren Hickey, Sean Hester, Ethan Scally (capt.), Mark Connolly, Craig Charles, James Nea, Dean Moore, Philip Bell, Thomas Barry and Adam Price. Subs: Niall Kershaw for Sean Hester 56th minute; Kyle McGurren for Mark Connolly 59th minute; David Ekstern for Philip Bella and Daragh Darcy for Adam Price in the second period of extra time.Joint team managers were Martin Moore and Finian Farrell.