1996/97
Limerick Junior Soccer Chronicles
Tuohy Cup; Fairview Rgs Premier League; Fairview Rgs
1996/97
FAI Junior Cup
The long wait is finally over Portmarnock 0 Fairview Rgs 1
It's over! The long, long wait for FAI Junior Cup glory is finally over with Fairview claiming the title at the expense of Dublin's Portmarnock in a less than epic final at a rather dilapiFAI Junior Cup; Fairview Rgs dated Dalymount Park yesterday. FAI Area Symmington Cup; Fairview Rgs While the game won't go down in memory as being a classic it was nevertheless nail-biting and full of honest endeavour from Lawson Cup; Fairview Rgs both sides. There was far too much at stake for either side to show their flamboyant side with the result that much of the first 45 minutes were rather tentative. The second half sprung to life when manager Finnan brought in Paul O'Donnell who opened the Dubliners defence on a number of occasions. Jason Purcell crashed a superb header off the upright and an absolute dazzler of a shot from 50 yards that looked to have goal written all over it but the Premier league, FAI Junior, Lawson, Symmington and Tuohy Cup winners, 1996/97. Back row: John ball slammed off the Whyte, Ronan Hanrahan, Colin Fleming, Ian Sullivan, Eddie Parker. Centre: Derek Whyte, Paul O'Donnell, crossbar and was cleared Jimmy Sheehan, Trevor Lovelle, Kevin McCarthy, John Collopy, Alan Rice. Seated: Dermot Finnan, manager, to safety. Barry Flynn, Sean Lipper, Jason Purcell, capt.; Declan Considine, Joe Hannan, Paul O'Halloran, asst. manager. My man of the match and that of the Examiner and the Evening Herald had to be Colin Fleming, the most under-rated player in the region today. He was nothing short of magnificent on Sunday and on three occasions brought off goal-saving stops and how he kept that ball out in the dying seconds of injury time nobody knows. Fleming got the start he needed. He did well to cleanly catch an early attempt and was smartly off his line to punch the ball clear from a corner. Fairview were that little bit slow to settle with Portmarnock coming at them from all angles. Fairview needn't have worried. Their defence was nothing if not brilliant. Portmarnock couldn't take their eyes off either of the two front-runners all day with the result that the likes of Purcell and John Whyte had chances. Paul O'Donnell came into the side after 15 minutes and made an immediate impact. Switching from left to right and back again, the highly talented forward had Portmarnock at sixes and sevens and began to prise gaps in the home defence with some deft touches. With eleven minutes remaining O'Donnell swung over a vicious corner that keeper Kavanagh let slip through his hands and there was John Whyte to finish the ball to the net. Portmarnock responded and had three chances of scoring but found Fleming too big an obstacle. The scenes following referee Dwane's long whistle just had to be seen to be believed. No words here could describe the sheer emotion of the minute. Fairview supporters swarmed onto the field. The more reserved sat in the stands and heaved a mighty sigh of relief. Fairview Rgs.: Colin Fleming, Ronan Hanrahan, Sean Lipper, Joe Hannan, Derek Whyte, John Whyte, Jason Purcell, Jimmy Sheehan, Trevor Lovelle, Barry Flynn, Declan Considine. Res., Paul O'Donnell for Lovelle; Alan Rice for Lipper, Ian Sullivan, Eddie Parker, John Hannan, John Collopy, Kevin O'Grady and Robbie O'Connell. Back room team; Dermot Finnan, Paul O'Halloran and Fergal O'Grady. TSB Cup; Geraldines