Rian Greene wins Jim McLaughlin Cup quarter-final for St Peter’s

Shamrock Celtic 1

Rian Greene’s late winner sent St. Peter’s through the Jim McLaughlin Cup semi-final following a 2-1 victory over Shamrock Celtic on Sunday morning at the Fassaroe Community Centre.

The early stages of the match saw St. Peter’s dominating the play with Shamrock’s only threat coming from turnovers and breaking.

Shamrock Celtic’s back line held a high and well-disciplined line and on two occasions managed to catch the hosts’ players offside with over a third of the pitch in front of them.

However, this line was eventually beaten in the 10th minute when Dean Fletcher sent a long ball forward to winger Rian Greene in acres of space, Greene galloped into the box and squared it to Lewis O’Neill who finished despite the recovery runs from the Shamrock Celtic defence.

Only a minute later and it could have been 2-0 as Darren Lacey sent a ball through for O’Neill who cut inside and shot, but this was gathered well by Shamrock netminder Ken Turner.

In the 13th minute Shamrock Celtic found their equaliser through Luca Rampersaud.

The ball was played out to the left wing where Jensen O’Connor collected, he fired it low across the box and the Rampersaud took full advantage of a mistimed clearance attempt by the St. Peter’s defence to send it into the net and make it 1-1.

Only a minute later and more drama ensued as St. Peter’s were awarded a penalty when a Jake Kane shot at goal was blocked by the raised arms of Ian Brannigan. Referee Ruben Collins had no hesitation and pointed straight to the spot.

Darren Lacey was given the duty of taking the spot-kick and putting the home side back in the lead, however, his shot was quite central and was saved by the legs of Turner who leapt off his line and down low to keep the scores level.

Throughout the middle third of the first half nothing much was different. St. Peter’s were dominating the play and Shamrock Celtic were holding their line well and were looking dangerous on the break away.

This was typified most when Luke Messitt burst up the right-hand side, the full-back played the ball to Rampersaud’s feet at the edge of the box, the striker was fouled, and Shamrock had a free in a dangerous position.

Brannigan stepped over it and attempted to place it in the top left-hand corner, but it flew just over the crossbar.

Rampersaud had a chance to put Shamrock Celtic in front before the end of the half, but his shot from outside the box went low and wide leaving the teams level at the break.

In the second half, Shamrock Celtic created the first big chance. A long ball was sent forward and was not dealt with by the St. Peter’s defence as it bounced twice evading attempted touches and clearances.

Rampersaud took a gamble and ended up with just the goalkeeper to beat but couldn’t keep his shot down as it sailed over the bar. The match kept going in its familiar flow, but legs began to get tired, so long balls became a regular feature.

St. Peter’s were attempting to find dangerman O’Neill on many occasions, however he was being well marked by Messitt who composed himself well in many situations.

Rampersaud got another chance with 10 minutes to go after robbing the ball off Davy Berry high up the pitch. He attempted to chip St. Peter’s goalkeeper Niall Vaughan, but the shot flew over.

In the 85th minute the winner was found. Lacey won a ball high up the pitch and played Greene clear through on goal. With Turner rushing out, Greene finished low into the net, sending the Bray side into the semi-final courtesy of a 2-1 victory.

St. Peter’s: Niall Vaughan; Zach Ryan, Dean Fletcher, Davy Berry, Dylan Fitzpatrick; Killian O’Carroll, Simon Doyle, Jake Kane; Rian Greene, Darren Lacey, Lewis O’Neill. Subs: Darren McAteer for Z. Ryan (h-t, inj), Shane Doyle for J. Kane (59), Wayne Nelson for R. Greene (86).

Shamrock Celtic: Ken Turner; Luke Messit, Rob Keogh, Ian Brannigan, Killian Devine; Jack Crowley, Chris French, Dean Noble; Rob Talaga, Luca Rampersaud Jensen O’Connor. Subs: Zach Harris for R. Talaga, Simon Philips for I. Brannigan.

Referee: Ruben Collins