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Date: 25-01-2015
Match: Portmarnock AFC Vs Grange Woodbine
The home team arrived at this fixture with a renewed sense of optimism following some very good
training sessions over the Christmas break and much improved performances towards the end of
2014. Sure enough the home team took the initiative from the off with Sean Canavan leading the
line superbly from the front. The home team made this early pressure tell with a fine run and finish
from Matthew Coogan. The game then settled into a pattern with two evenly matched teams
creating chances at either end. Towards the end of the half Grange Woodbine did gain a foothold in
the game and just before the break got the equalising goal that their efforts deserved.
Some changes at half time saw the home team replace the hardworking Sean Canavan with firstly
Jack Smith and then Nathan Miland to continue leading the line from the front. The Portmarnock
midfield lead by Adam Gardner and ably supported by Kevin Doyle, Matthew Coogan, Senan Mullan,
James Reed and Andrew Comiskey began to dominate the exchanges and soon enough a second
goal came. Again it was Matthew Coogan, he took a fine pass into his stride before coolly slotting
past the advancing Grange Woodbine keeper.
There then followed the games stand out moment, and a real contender for goal of the season.
From a Portmarnock corner the advancing Cian Hurst met the ball and from fully 25 yards found the
top corner with an unstoppable shot. Further Portmarnock pressure soon resulted in a fourth. Again
from a corner the ball broke to James Reen and he found the bottom corner with a very measured
finish.
Despite these setbacks the Grange Woodbine side continued to play their football, but for long
periods found no way through a Portmarnock backline expertly marshalled by Ethan Mitchell.
Matthew Gleeson making his first appearance in the Portmarnock goal looked very assured.
The game opened up as it entered its final stages with both teams tiring and Grange Woodbine did
get the second goal that their efforts deserved.
However, this was Portmarnock AFC’s day and they ran out as worthy winners in the end.
Man of match: Ethan Mitchell
