Five-star Coachford lift fourth major trophy with Mossie Linnane Cup victory over Grattan United

Coachford 5 Grattan United 0

Coachford’s domination over the season became absolute after lifting the Mossie Linnane Cup at Turner's Cross on Sunday.

In a season of unmatched brilliance, this team swept the boards after winning the Munster Junior Cup, the AUL Premiership, AOH Cup and now the Mossie Linnane Cup in what was a historic period for the club as well as the Cork AUL, who were proud to see one of their teams showcase themselves across Munster with exceptional performances, followed by impressive results.

In the game itself, Grattan United worked hard throughout, but Coachford had a magnificent cutting edge to all aspects of their play and delighted the crowd with some devastating and clinical finishing which in the end was too much for Grattan.

Getting the nod for the man of the match was Mark O’Connell who produced a Trojan performance in midfield throughout the game.

Coachford were purposeful from the off and the first chance of note fell for them when Luke Casey threaded a balanced through for Evan O’Sullivan, but he failed to beat James Byrne with his effort.

Then, at the other end, Adam Lee just failed to get a touch to David Curtin’s free inside the box.

But, Coachford threatened again when Jamie Griffin forced James Byrne to collect at the second time of asking with his low effort from a narrow angle before a neat move commenced with Casey helping it on to Evan O’Sullivan who found Adam Murphy to strike an effort that was blocked out for a corner by Anthony Byrne.

From the corner, Coachford forged in front when Mark Murphy leapt highest to power his header into the corner and hand his side the lead on 20.

Then, Adam Murphy skipped by two tackles before finding Luke Casey in space, but the striker’s low effort was collected by James Byrne.

When Grattan won a corner on the right, Bullman headed goalwards – only to see Steven Murphy grab to safety from the threatening Anthony Byrne.

Soon after, Coachford doubled their advantage when Luke Casey produced a superb finish when his turn and strike soared into the top corner for a lovely finish on the half-hour.

A neat move ensued just before the break when Luke Casey played it short for Evan O’Sullivan, who helped on to Mark O’Connell.

The midfielder then found the ing Evan O’Sullivan who knocked it back for Matthew Bradly to swing a floating cross in for Luke Casey, who headed agonisingly wide.

Mark O’Connell started the second half with a strike that sailed narrowly over.

It was 3-0 to Coachford in the 50th minute when a sweeping from Mathew Bradley reached Jamie Griffin, who showed a steadying touch before turning to rifle a terrific finish into the corner.

Then, what an effort from Luke Casey when he saw his cracking strike from 30 yards out, cannon off the bar before going away to safety.

Coachford were well in control now and when Cialan O’Sullivan worked it on for Mathew Bradley, he failed to get sufficient force on his effort from the edge of the box before Luke Casey just failed to get a touch with his head from Cathal O’Neill’s cross.

Then, came the goal of the game and what a finish it was.

Luke Casey won possession around the halfway mark and noticing the Grattan keeper off his line, he struck an audacious effort that dipped accurately into an unguarded net to make it 4-0 on 71.

With Coachford so much in control now, the inevitable happened as they got a fifth.

Cathal O’Neill was very impressive when he made his appearance from the bench and got on the end of Mathew Bradley’s cross to slam home not long before referee Paul O’Sullivan brought closure to the game.

COACHFORD A: Steven Murray, Dara Lynch, Matthew Bradley, Christopher O’Connell, Mark Murphy, Adam Murphy, Evan O’Sullivan, Mark O’Connell, Luke Casey, Cialan O’Sullivan, Jamie Griffin.

Subs: Cathal O’Neill for Evan O’Sullivan (67), Ryan Leahy for Cialan O’Sullivan 72), Gary Murphy for Mark O’Connell (75), Neil Moynihan for Dara Lynch (79), Michael O’Sullivan for Jamie Griffin.

GRATTAN: James Byrne, Gary Coughlan, David Curtin, Anthony Byrne, Anthony O’Callaghan, Anthony Peelo, Cian O’Sullivan, Keith Harris, Adam Lee, Christy Bullman, Shane Spitere.

Subs: Dean Murray for Keith Harris (57), Thomas White for Cian O’Sullivan (57), Kyle Higgins for Adam Lee-Reynolds (62), Michael Kent for Anthony Peelo (76).

Referee: Paul O’Sullivan.

Assistants: Stephen Moore, Paul Bowdren, Jim Hennessy.