College Corinthians reach FAI Intermediate Cup final after penalty shootout drama

College Corinthians will play fellow Cork side Ringmahon Rangers in their first intermediate cup final since 1998.

FINALISTS: College Corinthians' Adam Walsh (2nd left) is congratulated by teammates after scoring the opening goal against Douglas Hall in the FAI Intermediate Cup semi-final at Moneygourney. Pic: Eddie O'Hare

FAI Intermediate Cup semi-final: Douglas Hall 2-2 College Corinthians (College Corinthians win 3-0 on penalties)

College Corinthians will play Ringmahon Rangers in the FAI Intermediate Cup final following a dramatic penalty victory over local rivals Douglas Hall at Moneygourney.

It came down to Craig Donnellan and the former Republic of Ireland underage international put his club through to the decider for the first time since 1998.

History meant very little on a day where pride mattered the most, and it showed when Corinthians took what looked like a commanding 2-0 lead through goals from Adam Walsh and Killian Cooper.

Then Ben Holland knocked in a corner and a cross turned shot from Timmy O’Reilly went in and Douglas Hall drew level at the 85th minute.

It came down to penalties after a nerve wrecking period of extra-time and Donnellan made no mistake with the decisive spot kick after David O’Leary and Eric Cunningham hit the target.

The winning kick brought scenes of jubilation that seemed to be assured with College Corinthians’ free flowing and confident start.

The team managed by Gary Hackett burst out the traps and their persistence paid off when Walsh finished from in front of the posts at the 32nd minute.

Corinthians took the lead into the break and they were stunned after the restart when a penalty was awarded to the hosts.

After Gavin Ryan pushed away Anthony Brother’s effort, Keelan Crowley unleashed a cross that Cooper turned in.

With nothing to lose, Douglas Hall poured forward and mounted a comeback mission that paid off with Holland’s bullet header and Timmy O’Reilly getting the equaliser.

What followed was a tension filled extra half-hour that went both ways, with chances falling to either team.

Moynihan and Ryan impressed during that period, where each second seemed to be a minute in front of a crowd of near 1000 people.

It came down to penalties and Douglas Hall luck ran out with Chris O’Reilly, Brian Lynch, and George Howard missing.

Ringmahon Rangers qualified for their second successive final by defeating Liffey Wanderers 1-0 on Saturday afternoon on home soil.

Ethan Varian, formerly of Cork City and Bohemians, netted the winner in the 53rd minute.

That puts Ringmahon through to their third final of the season, following a victory over Douglas Hall in the Donie Forde Trophy decider last December, and they will contest Rockmount for the Keane Cup later this month.

DOUGLAS HALL: Daniel Moynihan; Ben Healy, Jonah Obode, Brian Holland, David Crotty, George Howard, Cormac Kelly (Eric Nolan 60), Michael Carroll (Chris O’Reilly HT), Anthony Brothers (Brian Lynch 63), Michael Hammett, Timmy O’Reilly.

COLLEGE CORINTHIANS: Gavin Ryan; Ian Turner, Adam Walsh, Andrew Neville, Eoghan Murphy, Eric Cunningham, Keelan Crowley (Destiny Okonkwo 81), Craig Donnellan, Mark O’Sullivan (Douwe Van Sinderen 81), Ross McCarthy, Killian Cooper.

Referee: Darren O’Sullivan