Gardiner spot on as Na Piarsaigh go extra for win
The city side were matched all the way by Dohenys in a match that developed into a gripping struggle; it took the tale of two penalties in extra-time to provide a resolution to the conflict. The first penalty arrived to Dohenys in the 63rd minute when Pat McCarthy was upended. Unusually Dohenys decided to dispatch goalkeeper Darragh Farr upfield to take the spot kick, despite the presence of hotshot Ger McCarthy amongst their ranks, and the decision backfired when Farr struck his shot wide of the post.
That miss was exacerbated in the 76th minute when Na Piarsaigh were presented with a penalty opening of their own. Stephen Glasgow’s marauding run was interrupted illegally by the Dohenys defence and John Gardiner needed no invitation to send the ball to the net.
