Ballinhassig AFC

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Huge Congratulations to our J1's who lifted the

Corinthians Cup

in Turners Cross Wednesday 22nd May 2013

Corinthians Cup Final Ballinhassig 1 0 Waterloo Match Report by Dáire Coughlan

A somewhat anti-climatic final in Turners Cross last night, saw the J1's claim their 3rd piece of silverware in 3 seasons, beating a plucky Waterloo side 1-0 in the Corinthians Cup finale. Hassig started the far better of the sides and dominated possession in the opening quarter of the game, and creating a few half chances that didn't lead to any real goal threat. Lone striker Julius Dranginis was working hard up front, but as the Waterloo defence began to cope with the Lithuanian's movement, they began to then exert some pressure in the middle of the park. Waterloo's outlet was to the incredibly quick and agile left winger, who ran at the Ballinhassig defence at every opportunity. Midway through the first half, he had one or two great chances after cutting infield from the wing, but his shots were weak and trickled wide past Mark Dooley in goal. The low sun and surprisingly strong headwind meant that Hassig had to work the ball out from defence and looked comfortable on the ball without any sustained Waterloo pressure, but as the ball progressed up field and a longer or more direct pass was needed, Hassig couldn't fight the breeze and struggled to service Dranginis up top. This meant much of the game was played in midfield with neither team really creating much in open play. Waterloo did look dangerous from set pieces however, but Peter Desmond was outstanding when dealing with their aerial threat, while centre backs Senan Carrig and Tadhg Coleman were incredibly solid throughout and never looked under duress during the 90. Mark Dooley was required to pull off a great save from a Waterloo free-kick but other than a few corners, he hadn't much to do. That calmness in the core of the Blues' defence meant that Hassig went into the half time break knowing they had weathered Waterloo's attacks and now had the sun and breeze behind them.
In the second half Hassig matched and raised the physicality Waterloo had shown in the first 45 and employed a more direct game, hoping the low sun would affect their number 1 in goal. He dealt with the direct approach well for most of it and his deliveries from kick outs were giving Waterloo a dangerous counter-attacking option. Again though, Hassig's back line, and in particular Coleman and Carrig, read and dealt with their through balls and dinks over the top.
In a cagey game, it was looking likely that a set piece was going to be what separated the 2 teams and that proved to be the case, as a Kevin Bruton free kick, deep from the right side, forced Waterloo's keeper to come and attack the ball. He only got a glancing fist to it. The dropping ball fell to left winger Joseph Desmond, who could only drag it across goal. Senan Carrig swung at it, but he too couldn't catch it cleanly. It was Peter Desmond who put the loose ball in the net, scoring from a narrow angle and with 2 Waterloo men on the post. With 5 minutes to go, it was the winning goal and although Waterloo threw everything at the Blues for the dying minutes of the game, it wasn't enough and it was skipper Kevin Bruton who lifted the cup!
Ballinhassig AFC - Corinthians Cup Champions 2012/13

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