Springfield pip Ringmahon Rangers in U19 league cup semi final

Ringmahon Rangers 1 

Springfield Ramblers 2

Springfield Ramblers advanced to the U19 League Cup final after they defeated last year's finalists Ringmahon Rangers on Saturday morning.

After a very entertaining first half the game was level at 1-1. 

The visitors struck first when Mathew Daly turned home Callum O’Brien’s cross after 17 minutes but the hosts' pressure told 11 minutes before half-time when Alan O’Callaghan headed home Sean Murphy's cross.

Ringmahon had more possession and chances in the second half but were undone by an unlucky own goal that saw them bow out.

Huge credit to Ringmahon head groundsman Tony O’Connell and his staff, Steven Jordan, John O’Donovan and John Deasy, as their pitches were in impeccable condition as always.

Ringmahon started brightly with the lively Adam O’Callaghan and Sean Murphy causing problems forcing three consecutive corners in the opening eight minutes. 

However, Springfield also looked dangerous on the break and when Callum O’Brien found a pocket of space on the edge of the box two minutes later, he had the Ringer’s keeper Jake Malone worried with his powerful effort that just went the wrong side of the post.

The East Cork club then took the lead in the 17 minute, O’Brien chased a hopeful ball down the left wing and his pinpoint cross was met by Mathew Daly who poked his effort home from close range. 

Ringmahon came close to levelling the game in the 26th minute. Ciaran O’Sulleabhain put in a beautiful delivery for Dara Walsh to get on the end of but his powerful header was saved by Bryan Stapleton. 

Ramblers broke again five minutes later this time on the right wing and Malone had to be alert to make a finger-tip save from Stevie Denis' powerful effort from the edge of the box. The Ringers came close again in the 38th minute. 

O’Callaghan cross was met by Murphy inside the Ramblers box, but Oran Ross made a superb tackle. 

A minute later they levelled. This time Murphy turned provider and his inch-perfect cross was met by O’Callaghan who headed home into the roof of the net.

The home side started the second half on the front foot and when Murphy cut in from the left flank a minute from the restart his effort was parried away by Stapleton, but Ryan Casey then pounced on the loose ball it took another fine stop by the Ramblers netminder. 

They came close to taking the lead again five minutes later when Ryan McCarthy’s header was cleared off the Ramblers line by Billy Maher. 

A minute later the visitors were ahead when the centre-back was put under pressure by Billy Murphy and he turned the ball into his own net. 

The home side came agonisingly close to another equaliser in the 80th minute, Jayden O’Leary put in a superb cross to the back post, but Murphy’s powerful header came crashing off the crossbar. 

Murphy was denied again two minutes later when he turned in the box, however, Stapleton was there to make another superb save.

RINGMAHON RANGERS: Jake Malone, Ryan Casey, Oran Ross, Ben Heas, Ryan McCarthy, Jayden O’Leary, Dara Walsh, Shane O’Herlihy, Adam O’Callaghan, Sean Murphy, Ciaran O’Suilleabhain.

Subs: Nico Crowley for Casey (54), Tyrese O’Leary for O’Herlihy (68).

SPRINGFIELD RAMBLERS: Bryan Stapleton, Jake Morley, Alan Kelly, Matisse Zaouia, Billy Maher, Charlie Morrissey, Mathew Daly, Billy Murphy, Stevie Dennis, Calum O’Brien, Zack Whelan.

Sub: Alex Lawlor for Dennis (52).

Referee: Timmy Kelleher.