DOYLER'S DINK BAGS AFL's 'BIG ONE' FOR TEMPLEOGUE

AFL Amateur Cup Final: Templeogue United 1-0 Mountview FC

Home Farm's Whitehall venue hosted the Amateur Cup final that saw Templeogue United and Mountview duke it out for 'The Big One.

There's a new name on the cup, in fairness there had to be and to be honest there's plenty of space for it.

By DERMOT CLARKE

The inevitable feeling out process before the first decent opening was created in the 14th minute when Gavin Jones, at right-full for Templeogue, played an excellent through ball to Gerry Bambrick who looked as though he was about to lob David Byrne who had rushed from his line, perhaps Bambrick was distracted by this and Jones' feed was met with a fresh-air.

On 23 Mark Leech collected a ball from the right and made space before firing from 20 yards but Byrne got down well to save.

Six later Mountview responded and Keith Molyneux and Dave Farrell combined with the former firing inches wide at the end of the one-two.

Seven before the break Darragh Hollingsworth and Mark Leech combined to send Robbie Collins in but he scuffed his effort and it flew wide.

They went in tied at zilch.

These two went hell for leather from the get-go and, though there were some meaty challenges, they were, in the main fair and Sarah Dyas, it has to be said, was doing an excellent job behind the whistle.

In the 46th minute Mountview almost broke the deadlock. Molyneux again, with a ball over the top that was met with a looping volley from Dave Farrell. Alas for him, the ball dropped just a little too late and cleared the bar by inches.

However the deadlock was broken in the 51st and it was the boys from exit 11 that hit the front. Collins with a long gut-busting run down the right flank before his low cross was met by Neil Doyle who dinked it home at the near stick.

'View foraged for the leveller but were met with strong resistance from a well set-up Templeogue back four. However Stephen Herbert and Chris Barbour were introduced from the bench midway through the half and both caused headaches.

We all know what Barbour is capable of and in the 71st minute he almost worked the oracle. Stephen McCann played him in but again Byrne was up to his placed effort.

Ten later the two subs combined when Barbour met Herbert's cross from the right with a diving header but again Byrne was equal to the task.

Templeogue held on for a win that nobody would begrudge after the defeat in the LFA final a couple of weeks back. Mountview made them fight all the way and Ian McDermott was awarded MOTM.

Well done to Home Farm, Sarah and her team and the AFL as 'The Big One' travels southside to Tampleogue.

Templeogue United: David Frewen, Gavin Jones, Edward Orr, Gavin Quinn, Darragh Hollingsworth, Stephen Caverly, Leigh Coffey, Mark Leech, Gerry Bambrick, Robbie Collins, Barry Leech, Graham Gaughran, Declan O'Connor, Robin Jones, Ian McDermott, Neil Doyle, David Harvey.

Mountview FC: David Byrne, Trevor Macken,Thomas Martin, Daniel Fitzgerld, Martin Byrne, Joseph Sweeney, Keith Molyneux, James Leslie, David Farrell, Martin Mullarney, Stephen McCann, Darren Keogh, Richard Coates, Jonathan King, Mark Gouledge, Stephen Herbert, Christopher Barbour, Kenneth Cullen.

Referee: Sarah Dyas. Assistants: Gary Leeper, Wojciech Ponarad, Brian Cleary(4th), Glen Geraghty(4th).