Tullamores u18 clash ends early after injury to opposing player

SOCCER: Combined Counties FL Under-18 Division

St Peter’s 0 Tullamore Town 2
(Match abandoned after 40 minutes)

A competitive league meeting between St Peter’s and Tullamore Town came to an unfortunate end last Saturday, after one of the home team’s players sustained a serious injury.

With the Offaly visitors leading by two goals - and with both sides already reduced to ten men - match referee Paul Tone, in consultation with both team managers, came to a decision to call a halt to proceedings in light of an injury to St Peter’s midfielder Chris Roche.

Young Roche appeared to catch his studs in the McCarthy Park turf while pursuing a Tullamore attacker near the corner flag. Both sets of club officials quickly rushed to his aid and an ambulance was called for, with everyone in attendance wishing the unfortunate player the very best in his recovery.

The game itself had been competitive but with Tullamore looking the better side.

In terms of players who shone over the time played, Tullamore midfielders James Finnegan and Jordan Daly pulled the strings for their side, with the former’s well taken header giving his side the lead.

That goal came in the seventh minute when great work down the right flank by Bryan Pidgeon was finished off by Finnegan’s superb header from eight yards. Tullamore felt they should have had a penalty on 17 minutes when Cormac Deegan appeared to be fouled by Steven Kelly, but the referee waved play on. 

Moments later, Darragh Coyle of St Peter’s was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Deegan before a bizarre incident in the 21st minute. St Peter’s forward Patrick Reilly clearly handled Roche’s cross to send it into the net. The referee quickly blew his whistle and with the home players racing back towards the halfway line, the Tullamore side assumed the referee had awarded the goal. The visiting players were so incensed that right-back Darren Hennessy was red-carded for dissent. It was only after Hennessy’s dismissal that matters calmed down sufficiently for the referee to indicate a free-out had, in fact, been awarded. O’Reilly was booked for deliberate handball.

The visitors doubled their advantage in the 31st minute when fine play by Finnegan and Jordan Daly set-up Deegan to beat Eric Lynch at his near post.

However, matters were soon to reach an unfortunate end as Roche sustained injury and was taken to hospital.

Sensible decision
Well done to both managers for the way they handled the matter after Chris Roche’s injury. Even though they led by two goals, the Tullamore management said their team’s plight was insignificant compared to a bad injury sustained by a teenager. It was an admirable and mature response to a regrettable situation.

What happens next? 
Both sets of players were keen to know what will happen to this fixture. The most likely scenario is that the game will be replayed in its entirety, though it’s also possible it could restart from the 40th minute. However, a replay is most likely, said referee Paul Tone, who added that the issue will be decided by the league committee.

St Peter’s: Eric Lynch; Jack Ruane, Steven Kelly, Kondrat Krysiak; Dylan Dempsey, Conor Conroy, Liam Flowers, Darragh Coyle, Patrick Reilly, Chris Roche, Gerson Duarte.

Tullamore Town: Kevin Bryant; Darren Hennessy, Keelan Galvin, Cathal Kavanagh, Aaron Moore, James Finnegan, Cormac Deegan, Jordan Daly, Bryan Pidgeon, Bart Gorski, Stephen Duane.

Referee: Paul Tone.