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Portmarnock AFC 6 - 3 Mid Sutton
The incredible start continues, for the Portmarnock 4th senior team, as local rivals Mid Sutton were dispatched in the first round of the O'Neills Challenge Cup, where both teams were desperate to make their mark in this year's competition.
The game was won by two standout performances from Goalkeeper Mark O'Connor and lone Striker Paul O'Sullivan, who netted his second addition to the website's infamous Hat-trick Hero’s section. The boys looked very comfortable from the start capitalizing on a sun soaked Carrickhill Pitch 1, and playing up to the parish support, they led 3-1 at half time. The goals coming from Sean Daly, Paul O'Sullivan and an OG from a perfectly whipped free kick.
Despite the quick start a tactical change at half time let Mid-Sutton right back into the game. Man-of-the-Match Mark O'Connor had made two world class saves in the first half to keep Portmarnock ahead but was helpless as two quickfire goals brought the game back to all square. Boos rang out from the home crowd as linesman Cian Molloy was late to raise his flag on an offside equaliser!!! Things then went from bad to worse as Portmarnock gave away a penalty with 15 minutes remaining. Porto had already lost key midfielders Sean Daly and Jack O'Brien to injury and their grip on the game was starting to disappear. But cometh the hour cometh the man, Mark O'Connor at full stretch saved the penalty down low to his left hand side. And like that the belief was back!
Big man James Hendriken held off two Sutton defenders at a corner before calmly laying it off to O'Sullivan who buried it from just outside the 6 yard box with a real poachers finish. He found himself there again moments later, converting a long overdue Porto penalty. This was the sixth time O'Sullivan had found the back of the net, already having 3 strikes ruled out in the first half.
Arthur Martinkevic completed the rout in extra time, beating three players and refusing to use any of his open teammates. But nobody shouted pass as the determined Arthur carried the ball from the halfway line to the edge of the box and buried it low past the Mid-Sutton goalkeeper.
The game was capped off with the return of Ben Hackett to the club, who was quick to remind everyone after the game that the score was 3-3 when he was brought on!!! The jury's still out on that one.....
With the first away day to come this weekend in Blackrock, be sure to follow the action live on Instagram. Training is still open to any new players interested in joining the club, Wednesday at 8.30 in Paddy's Hill.
