Beechlawn Rovers FC (2) v (2) Raheny FC (2-1 after Penalties)
Maher Cup 2nd Round
Venue: Beechlawn Park
Date: 13th March 2010

Goalkeeper John O'Rourke was the hero of the day as his four penalty saves sent Rovers through to the quarter finals of the Maher Cup on Saturday.
Beechlawn Rovers got off to a disastrous start as stand in centre back Stef Power was caught on his in the opening minutes as a ball over the top found the feet of a nippy Raheny forward who managed to force the ball over the line despite Rovers defender doing his best to clear the ball off the line.
The home side didn’t let that early set back deter them from their game though and straight away they attacked their division 1 counterparts. Feder the Dog and Kev 'Its Gone Man Its Gone' Feeney were looking lively up front, Feder the Dog turning his markers on every occasion and making good use of the ball to feed the wings. Damo Murphy and Bernt (who had his knob out) Fullam were also controlling the midfield to push Rovers on in search of their equaliser.
They came very close to getting that goal when a stunning 30 yard strike from Kev Feeney was tipped onto the bar by the away keeper with the ball coming back down to hit the bar a second time before bouncing out to safety.
Raheny were on the back foot and the home side continued to press ahead for a goal and just after the half hour they found the back of the net. After a good move forward, Shane Denham sent a lovely ball in from the right to the head of Feder the Dog who finished with a sublime header into the corner of the net to give the keeper no chance.
Raheny heads were down from and you sensed they had lost their chance in the game, especially as Rovers pressed more and more for that second goal before half time. But the game was turned on its head a few minutes before the break when a after a challenge on the edge of the Raheny box, Feder the Dog was elbowed in the face by a Raheny defender. Feder the Dog retaliated with a punch of his own leaving the cheating scumbag of a ref, who had a massive beard, with no choice but to send both players off. The decision had a huge bearing on the rest of the game and left Rovers playing a 4-4-1 with Kev 'Its Gone Man Its Gone' Feeney up front on his own.
Both sides went in level at the break and the second half kicked off with either side struggling to get their games going again. Raheny stuck with 2 attackers up front, but the lack of bodies in the midfield prevented them getting hold of the ball enough to feed them. Though on occasion, Raheny’s main menace, number 7 used his pace and skill to give Rovers defence plenty to think about. The Beechlawn Rovers defence was holding very well, with Deco McCabe in particular having an outstanding game shutting out everything that came his way. Power also recovered well from his opening nightmare to forge a good partnership with Orey Roche in the centre of defence.
Kev Feeney was finding it difficult to get any possession up front on his own, finding himself chasing down over played passes on many occasions. When Mitchell and Denham did get clear on the wings, the final ball into ball just missed out each time, to the frustration of Kev 'Its Gone Man Its Gone' Feeney who despite his hard work couldn’t make his mark on the game.
Robbie Roden made a change to give a bit of energy up front, introducing Michael McCabe for Kev Feeney. Raheny also made changes, going 3 at the back and bolstering the midfield to give a 3-4-2 formation for the remainder of the game. The introduction of warren gave an immediate boost to Rovers and his pace and dribbling ability gave the 3 Raheny defenders problems straight away.
Beechlawn Rovers had been causing problems all day with their deliveries from corners with Bernt (who had his knob out) Fullam’s dead ball skills nearly always finding a Beechlawn Rovers head. Raheny somehow managed to get the ball clear on each occasion though.
Fullam was in the thick of the action again when he had the chance to win the tie for the home side but his overhead kick rebounded of the post to the Digger’s frustration. Neither side could get a winner and the game was set for extra time.
Beechlawn Rovers made a change, introducing Mick Ennis for Derek Mitchell who will be delighted to have completed 90 minutes after his long injury nightmare to his knee. Spidermick slotted into Mitchell’s left midfield position and straight away his bite and freshness caused a tiring defence a lot of problems.
Raheny however got themselves a goal, against the run of play as well. After a move down the Beechlawn Rovers left hand side was broken up, Raheny sent a long clearance straight back down the wing. Rovers defence and keeper got themselves into a right mix when it seemed the ball could have been cleared on a number of occasions; however the Raheny attacker couldn’t believe his luck when he was able to slide the ball home for his side’s second goal.
Mick Ennis had a glorious opportunity to level the scores when Fullam sent in another fine corner kick, the loose ball fell to him. With his back to goal and only 3 yards out, he turned and shot only to see the ball somehow go wide to the amazement of everyone including the Ref! At this stage the Digger’s had change formation again, pushing Damo Murphy up front alongside Spidermick and Stef Power to his normal birth in midfield, leaving a 3 main defence to cope with the away attackers. Raheny reacted to this by reverting to a 5-3-1 to try and hold onto their lead.
The start of the second half of extra time saw the home side dominate proceedings, with the away side happy to shut up shop and try and hold out for the remaining ten minutes. They did well to snuff out Glasnevin’s attacks for the first 6 minutes, however they final succumbed to another fine Fullam corner kick. A beautiful delivery from the aforementioned found the head of Mick Ennis who rose tallest amongst everyone header to power a header past the covering defender on the line to send the team and sideline into raptures.
Neither side could find that 3rd and winning goal to seal the game and so the cheating scumbag of a ref, who had a massive beard, blew his whistle to bring the game into penalties.
Up stepped hero of the day John O'Rourke who got down superbly well to save 4 out of 5 penalties to send his side through 2-1 after Orey Roche, Damo Murphy had put their spot kicks away. Shane Denham and Deco McCabe missed their kicks and Bernt (who had his knob out) Fullam was saved having to take his after O'Rourke’s heroics.
So Rovers march on into the quarter finals with a date in the final firmly within their sights at this stage.

Team:

John O'Rourke (GK)

Kev Mullen (LB)
Orey Roche (CB)
Stef Power (CB)
Deco McCabe (RB)

Derek Mitchell (LM)
Bernt (who had his knob out) Fullam (Mid)
Damo Murphy (Mid)
Shane Denham (RM)

Feder the Dog (FW)
Kev Feeney (FW)

Substitutes:
David Denham
Eoghan Russell
Michael McCabe
Mick Ennis