Late goals foil Knightsbrook

The dream of Challenge Cup glory ended for Knightsbrook in Drogheda on Saturday night when they were edged out by a stronger and more capable Clones Town team. However, it took the Monaghan side almost 80 minutes to make the breakthrough when Simons Douglas got a touch in the penalty area for his 18th goal of the season. All Knightsbrook could muster for the remainder was a weak shot from Craig O'Hanlon with six minutes remaining. When substitute Stephen Smyth flashed the ball to the net following a defensive mistake with four minutes remaining, the cup was its way to Monaghan for the first time. Knightsbrook manager Mick Craig was disappointed on a couple of fronts. "They were too strong for us, but a couple of our players didn't turn up tonight," he told the Meath Chronicle. "I have no complaints about the result, the better team won on the night, but it was fantastic achievement to get to the final. "The Clones substitute, Stephen Smyth, made a big difference when he came on, but they had good players all over the pitch, they're a Premier league team. "We did well against the wind in the opening half and we definitely had a good chance at that stage, but it didn't work out for us. "We can't complain, we've had a great season and we still can achieve promotion, so we have plenty to play for," he concluded. Knightsbrook made a tentative start against the wind. They had a let off in the seventh minute when hesitancy at the back gave Darren Freeman a chance for a shot which skimmed the top of the bar. Knightsbrook's first real opportunity arived from Anthony Craig's 11th minute free which put pressure on the Clones 'keeper and resulted in a free-out. O'Hanlon's ability to hold possession posed problems for the Clones rearguard and they had a lucky escape midway through the half when Eddie Murray broke through and was denied by a good save. Knightsbrook looked the more capable side as the half progressed, but they always looked vulnerable on the break. Clones threatened on a couple of occasions, but Knightsbrook's central defenders, TJ Garry and Alan Gilbane, always managed to get a touch on the ball. Close to the interval Clones Town's Gary McKenna had plenty of time to control the ball on the edge of the area, but fired wide. Soon after there was a major scramble in the six-yard box as Knightsbrook failed to clear a corner, but they averted the danger in a flurry of boots. Three minutes into the second-half Murray was denied a shot when Clones defender Sarto Quigley made a vital interception and then Garry fired over after he gained possession from a corner. Clones upped the tempo and Gary McKenna's cross was met by Brian McDonald, but Eugene Goulding made a great save. Knightsbrook absorbed the pressure, but the introduction of Clones substitute Smyth on the hour injected more mometnum. The Monaghan side enjoyed a spell of dominance and almost broke the deadlock when Smyth was narrrowly wide in the 28th minute and then McKenna surged through and unleashed a fierce drive which Eugene Goulding turned over spectacularly for a corner. Douglas headed his side in front in the 79th minute and that substitute, Smyth, sealed Knightsbrook's fate when he punished sloppy defending near the end. On a negative note, Smyth was announced as Patrick McGonnell when he was introduced which was in line with the information that was provided in the match programme. Unfortunately, no one from Clones Town corrected the mistake which only came to the attention of the Meath Chronicle the next day, thanks to a phone call from LMFM presenter Adrian Taaffe. Neither team selection tallied with the selections which appeared in the programme with Clones showing 14 changes and Knightsbrook rowing in with 10. Not good enough for the biggest game of the season. Clones Town - K Kearns; R McCormack, S McDonald, D Rooney, S Quigley, D Freeman, N Cassidy, B McDonald, G McKenna, S Douglas, C Monaghan. Subs - S Smyth for B McDonald 60 mins; G Toye for S McDonald 87m. Knightsbrook - E Goulding; D Gibney, D Blaney, A Gilbane, TJ Garry, A Craig, J Curran, C Keegan, C O'Hanlon, E Murray, J Moynihan. Sub - C Ryan for Murray 80 mins. Referee - Brendan Gillespie; assistant-referees - Brian Murphy, Martin Reilly; fourth official - Andy McNamara (Louth Branch ISRS).