An extra-time penalty from Reece Weldon secured the FAI Intermediate Cup for the first time in Glebe North’s 79-year history as the North Dublin side defeated Ringmahon Rangers 3-2 in a pulsating cup final in Drogheda.
In what will go down as one of the great Intermediate Cup Finals, both sides led the game at different periods, and it was forced into extra time with a last-minute goal from Ringmahon’s Aaron Ahern.
But Weldon was the hero for ‘The Villagers’ blasting home his spot kick in extra time to bring the trophy back to Balbriggan.
It was non-stop action from the first minute, and it was the Cork side that opened the scoring at Weavers Park. Jamie O’Sullivan helped on a cross from Phillip Keane on the right into the path of the onrushing Evan Galvin, who dived low to head it past Kiernan.
Glebe were to have their first sight on goal when Christopher McCarthy blocked down Ryan O’Shea’s well-struck effort.
Jack Cairns was to go close to a second for Ringmahon after some good build-up play. Cairns was to get behind his marker to strike a low effort from the edge of the area, which saw Kiernan do well to save.
Recce Weldon forced a great save from Eric Grimes after the Glebe winger latched onto an Ahu Obhakhan pass on the edge of the area, with his low curling effort having to be pushed away for a corner. In the next phase of the attack, Issa Kargbo struck the post following a through ball to the Ringmahon player, who saw his well-placed effort strike the woodwork.
O’Sullivan looked to have added a second for the Cork side after he broke down the left into the Glebe goal area, and his low effort goalwards took a deflection off McCann that saw it trickle wide for a corner. Obhakhan had a chance to level the tie after he got in behind the Ringmahon defence, but his effort went well wide of Grimes' goal.
Glebe was to level the tie in the opening minutes of the second half following a sweeping move that saw McCann play the ball into the path of Coleman, who slotted it past Grimes. Ringmahon almost went ahead again when a cross from the left from O’Sullivan was met in the area by Evan Galvin, but his header went over the bar. Glebe were to take the lead when Obhakhan chested down a cross from the right into the path of O'Shea, who struck a low volley to beat Grimes at the far post.
Weldon almost added a third for Glebe as he broke free of the attentions of Keane, but his low curling effort was deflected for a corner. Ringmahon went close to levelling when a cross from Issa Kargbo from the right flashed across the face of the goal, with O’Sullivan’s effort being cleared off the line at the near post for a corner.
Second-half replacement Adam O’Callaghan almost pulled Ringmahon level in the final minutes of the game with his low effort, forcing an excellent save from Kiernan. O’Sullivan found himself one-on-one with Kiernan, beating the Glebe defence for pace but the Dublin side keeper did brilliantly to save with his feet. Ringmahon were to draw level in added-on time as a free kick was sent into the Glebe goal area and the second ball by Carlson was met by Ahern, who hooked it to the back of the net.
In extra time, Greaney forced a save from Kiernan as Ringmahon went inches away from taking the lead once more but in the next attack for Glebe, they were awarded a penalty following a foul after an initial save from Grimes that saw the ball go loose. Weldon stood up for Glebe and dispatched the penalty, sending Grimes the wrong way in what would be the moment that clinched the cup.
Ringmahon were reduced to ten men as Jamie O’Sullivan was sent off for a challenge on O’Shea in added on time as he tried to prevent a Glebe counter attack.
But the final whistle sparked wild celebrations as Darius Kierans’ side made history with the club’s first major trophy since their foundation in 1945.
Glebe North FC: Kiernan (GK), McCann, Kierans, Cluskey-Kelly, Brennan (Connor, 73), Smith, Weldon, Barrett, Obhakhan (Simic, 112), Coleman (Hamzat, 85), O’Shea.
Subs not used: Marrey (GK), Carroll, Haran, Moore.
Ringmahon Rangers: Grimes (GK), Keane (Long, 105), Delurey (Ahern, 76), McCarthy, Whitehead, Kenny, Kargbo (O'Callaghan, 76), O’Sullivan, Cairns (Greaney, 96), McAlavey, Galvin (Harlson, 84).
Subs not used: O’Connor, (GK), Higgins.
Booked: Galvin (Ringmahon Rangers), Kierans (Glebe North)
Sent Off: O’Sullivan (Ringmahon Rangers)
Referee: Vincent Coonan.
