Carbury 3-2 Strand Celtic

Carbury captain Mark Hannon dedicated Saturday’s cup triumph over Strand Celtic to manager Damien Dunleavy as Carbury fought off a strong Strand side to win the Frank Kennedy Memorial Cup.

“We’d like to dedicate this win to our manager Damien who’s had a very tough year,” Hannon said afterwards.

“That’s for you, Damien”, Hannon added as the celebrations got underway at MacSharry Park.

Carbury came into this cup final in the middle of a sticky patch in the Sligo Southern Hotel Super League, losing four of their last five league games.

But that was all put to one side for Saturday’s final, with Carbury coming out on top.

Zach Gilligan put Damien Dunleavy’s side ahead after six minutes when he got on the end of Donagh Crowne’s cross.

Carbury had chances to add to their lead in the first-half, but just couldn’t find a second goal.

Strand were deservedly back in the game before the hour mark when Conor McKeon’s free-kick was palmed away by Jack Teape, with Luke Mavrak on hand to fire in the follow up.

Eight minutes later, Carbury went ahead once again.

A defence splitting ball from Ray Walsh caught the run of Donagh Crowne nicely, with Crowne getting around the ‘keeper and slotting in for 2-1.

In additional time, it was 3-1 when Gary Farren worked his way past the Strand defence, and with just the keeper to beat he coolly slotted in, with the celebrations starting.

But there were some nerves for the final stages, as Strand pulled one back late in added time.

Barry O’Mahony’s superb ball eventually was fired in by Daniel Gray-Harrigan after Carbury failed to clear their lines.

Our thanks to Strand Celtic for a great time, and to everyone who turned up to support both sides in what was a great evening at Sligo Leitrim HQ for a game.

“It feels unbelievable to win a cup in a tough year for us in the league,” captain Hannon added as he accepted the trophy from Noel Kennedy, Sligo Leitrim DSL Secretary.

Our thanks must be extended again to Niall Tierney in the Troubadour Lounge for hosting our post match celebrations.

Team: Jack Teape, Gary Finan, Kyle Cawley, Mark Hannon, Ray Walsh, Steven Armstrong (Ross McLoughlin, 85), Lee Conway, David Brick, Gary Farren, Zach Gilligan, Donagh Crowne (Mark McGoldrick, 90).