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"Portmarnock ended their season on a high thanks to an excellent performance against Kildare side Newbridge." Fingal Independent
The victory lifted Porto up to sixth and manager Willie O’leary can be very pleased with his debut campaign in the top division.
For an end-of-season game there was a surprisingly fast tempo, with both sides looking to secure a top-six finish, and Portmarnock came into the match with confidence high, having despatched 2017 champions St Mochta’s in their previous game.
They took the lead after a spell of decent pressure and once again it was top scorer Chris Burgess who delivered the goods. Midfielder Noel Mcginty’s pass opened up the Newbridge defence before Burgess played a one-two with Raoui Lassoued. Burgess took the return pass in his stride before clinically finding the back of the net.
In form Lassoued doubled Portmarnock’s lead just before half-time as he ran onto a Barry Caulfield pass before cleverly dinking the ball over the onrushing visiting keeper.
The second half saw Newbridge come back into the game and they deservedly halved the deficit with a wonderful free kick from former Hibs and Longford player Cody Mulhall.
That goal spurred Portmarnock to lift their game once again and they deservedly restored their two-goal lead as Burgess scored a magnificent volley from fully 25 yards to seal victory for O’leary’s side.
It was an excellent finish to the season for the Paddy’s Hill side and they will have learnt plenty ahead of their second season in Senior Sunday.
O’leary’s side will return to action next month in a pre-season friendly against English League One side Oxford United who take on Portmarnock on July 9th. The match will act as a fundraiser for the club.
PORTMARNOCK: Brian Kane, Sean Murphy, David Redding, Ian O’reilly, Joe O’riordan (Cormac Herlihy), Barry Caulfield, Noel Mcginty, Mark Cassidy (Graham Rusk), Raoui Lassoued, Sam O’connor (Darragh Coates), Chris Burgess.
Article Credit: Fingal Independent 5th June 2018
