Kennedy Cup success for Inishowen as they edge Roscommon in 'Trophy' final

There was Kennedy Cup joy for the young Inishowen lads at the weekend as they overcame Roscommon the ‘Trophy’ decider.

Inishowen were drawn in a tough group in this year’s Kennedy Cup, pitted against Limerick District, Wexford, and Mayo at the annual event held at the University of Limerick.

Inishowen 0 Limerick District 1

Inishowen began their Kennedy Cup campaign on Monday evening with a narrow defeat to a strong Limerick District side. After a promising start, Inishowen were penned back, and the breakthrough came on 13 minutes when a cross from the left by Sheehan was superbly finished first time by O’Shea past Cianan Wallace from 14 yards. Wallace then produced two excellent saves from Sheehan as half-time approached.

Inishowen pressed hard after the break, but clear chances were hard to come by. Oisin O’Hare had one effort from the left drop just over, and another goalbound shot cannoned off one of his own players and went wide. Late on, with Inishowen pushing forward, they were caught on the break, but Wallace spread himself superbly to deny Sheehan again.

Inishowen 1 Wexford 2

On Tuesday at noon, Inishowen faced Wexford on the astro pitch and again turned in a strong performance but came away with nothing. They started well with Jack O’Donnell heading just over from a Mark Faulkner corner. At the other end, TJ Orr tipped a close-range effort onto the bar.

Inishowen responded with good interplay involving Harry McDaid and Harry McHenry, setting up Sean McCool whose shot was turned around the post by Wexford’s Sam Hourihan. 

Wexford struck with two goals in three minutes. On 13 minutes, Ade Adedeji crossed for Evan Thorpe to head home from eight yards. Soon after, Patrick O’Leary fired into the roof of the net from the edge of the area after a corner wasn’t cleared.

Inishowen nearly pulled one back through a Faulkner effort, again denied by Hourihan. 

After the break, chances fell to McCool, O’Hare and Faulkner, with Hourihan continually frustrating them. 

With four minutes left, Michael Bradley set up O’Hare, who drilled home to reduce the deficit. Inishowen nearly equalised at the death when O’Hare rounded the keeper, but his shot from a tight angle rolled agonisingly across goal and was cleared.

Inishowen 3 Mayo 5

On Tuesday evening, Inishowen completed their group campaign against Mayo on the astro pitch. 

Things went awry early as Aidan Gaughan forced a fine save from Cormac Moyne before Rory Gruddy smashed Mayo in front on nine minutes with a stunning 20-yard strike.

Inishowen equalised five minutes later with Puaric Doherty converting a penalty after a handball. But Mayo quickly retook the lead after Moyne parried a free kick and Gaughan reacted quickest to drill home. Gaughan then volleyed home Mayo’s third from 15 yards.

Inishowen had a goal ruled out for offside before O’Hare slotted past Needham from a Cullen cross to make it 3–2 at half-time. However, just minutes into the second half, Gaughan completed his hat trick after a defensive lapse. Inishowen battled back, and O’Hare had an effort cleared off the line before Faulkner converted a second penalty to make it 4–3.

Chasing an equaliser, Inishowen were hit on the break, and Ethan Canny’s powerful strike sealed a 5–3 win for Mayo.

Kennedy Cup Trophy Quarter Final

Inishowen 1 Sligo Leitrim 0

On Wednesday afternoon, Inishowen faced Sligo Leitrim and, although they dominated the game, only had a single goal to show for their efforts. Michael Bradley fired an early shot across goal before Oisin O’Hare released Harry McDaid on 11 minutes to fire low past Oisin Keenehan.

O’Hare had a shot cleared off the line and McDaid blazed over the rebound. Sligo had one half-chance, but otherwise, Inishowen were in control. Faulkner curled a shot just wide, and McDaid missed a big chance on the stroke of half-time.

The second half was more cagey, with Inishowen defending strongly. A late Rhys Nicholas effort was brilliantly tipped over, but the single goal was enough to send Inishowen into the semi-final.

Kennedy Cup Trophy Semi-Final

Inishowen 2 Cavan Monaghan 1

In damp conditions on Thursday, Inishowen returned to the grass pitch for their semi-final against old rivals Cavan Monaghan. Rhys Nicholas went close in the opening minute before Jack O’Donnell bundled home Faulkner’s corner to give Inishowen a dream start.

Faulkner then set up O’Hare, who rifled a brilliant 20-yard strike into the net for 2–0. Nicholas nearly made it three but was denied. Cavan Monaghan came into the game late in the half, with Orr making a vital save from McDermott.

In the second half, Inishowen had to defend against the wind. Jasinski scored on 46 minutes after following up a saved shot. Inishowen had chances to kill the game, with McCool and McDaid both going close, while O’Hare forced another save late on. Inishowen held on to reach the final.

Kennedy Cup Trophy Final

Inishowen 2 Roscommon 1 

In Friday’s final, Inishowen began brightly with Faulkner forcing a save before centre-back Owen Kazaca was forced off with a knock. The opening goal came on 6 minutes, O’Hare sending James Cullen down the right, whose cross was flicked on by McDaid for Sean McCool to finish smartly.

Stephen Grant had a shot cleared off the line before Roscommon’s James Costello crossed for Daithi Finn, who blazed over. Inishowen doubled their lead on 23 minutes with Faulkner breaking on the left and crossing for McDaid to glance a superb header into the corner.

Roscommon were awarded a penalty early in the second half, which was converted, setting up a tense finish. Inishowen remained dangerous on the break, with O’Donnell and O’Hare both denied. O’Hare went close again after great work by Kai Doherty before the final whistle blew to secure a brilliant trophy win.

Harry McDaid was named Man of the Match in the final.

Summary

A tough week for Inishowen, where the players performed admirably and played excellent football throughout. Despite a disappointing group stage, their resilience and quality shone in the knockout rounds, securing only the second trophy in the league’s Kennedy Cup history.

Sincere thanks to the parents for their unwavering support, and to Jack (Manager) and Damien (Coach) for their dedication since last September. The players conducted themselves with distinction on and off the pitch and were a credit to their families, clubs, league, and themselves.

They now look ahead to the Foyle Cup in July.

Kennedy Cup Squad: Cianan Wallace, TJ Orr, Cormac Moyne, Michael Bradley, James Bradley, Owen Kazaca, Jack O’Donnell, Mark Faulkner, Puaric Doherty, Sean McCool, Stefan Hegarty, Rhys Nicholas, Christopher O’Connor, Alex Bradley, James Cullen, Stephen Grant, Oisin O’Hare, Harry McDaid, Kai Doherty, Harry McHenry.