Late goal sinks ’Stute

Armagh City defender Ultan Lennon’s late header ended Institute’s remarkable Coca/Cola Intermediate Cup campaign.
Institute manager Paul Kee was bitterly disappointed after his side were knocked out of the Coca/Cola Intermediate Cup by Armagh City.Institute manager Paul Kee was bitterly disappointed after his side were knocked out of the Coca/Cola Intermediate Cup by Armagh City.
Institute manager Paul Kee was bitterly disappointed after his side were knocked out of the Coca/Cola Intermediate Cup by Armagh City.

The defeat was the Drumahoe side’s first in the competition for a few seasons, but in fairness to Armagh they worked their socks off and overall deserved to book their place in the final.

The Waterside men were a bit like Bayern Munich had the majority of the possession, but unlike the Germans they didn’t have the cutting edge up front.

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In fact City keeper Sean Morgan had one meaningful shot to save throughout the 90 minutes as he kept out Aaron Walsh’s second half shot.

After starting on the front foot it was ’Stute who had the first effort on goal in the 12th minute when Robbie Hume skipped in from the right and let fly with his left foot, but his effort was easily saved by City net-minder Morgan.

Stephen Murray, continued to cause the Waterside men problems and another long ball over the top found the lone front man on 17 minutes, he coolly controlled the ball on the edge of the box, but just as he was about to try and chip Michael Doherty, ’Stute skipper John Curran got back to make a super last ditch tackle.

Minutes later Hume’s left footed free-kick was deflected straight into Stephen O’Flynn’s path but the big striker’s close range header, while under pressure from City defender Ultan Lennon, failed to trouble Morgan.

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Right at the start of the second half a Kevin Keegan corner from the right found an in-rushing Dara Noonan, but the big centre-back should have done better but he headed wide from close range.

Moments later O’Flynn released Declan McKeever, but his effort from just inside the box was well saved by the out-rushing Morgan.

McKeever went close again on 51 minutes but this time his long range strike, which had Morgan worried, flashed just past the keeper’s left hand post.

Just after the hour mark Morgan came to his side’s rescue when at full stretch he did well to turn away Walsh’s clever curling long range strike.

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With virtually his first touch City substitute Matthew Hynds saw him cut in from the right before seeing his 20 yard drive kept out by a diving Doherty.

Doherty was called into action on 80 minutes when a quickly taken free-kick caught out ’Stute and released Shea McGerrigan, but the left-winger’s close range shot was well saved by the Institute net-minder.

The deadlock was broken on 85 minutes when McGerrigan’s in-swinging corner from the right drew Doherty from his line but he didn’t get anything on it and Lennon was on hand to head home from close range.

A minute from time McCauley’s left wing cross found O’Flynn at the near post but his glancing header was off target and summed Institute’s miserable night up.

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Institute: Doherty, Crown, Curran, O’Donnell, McLaughlin; Henderson (McFadden 75), Walsh, McKeever; McCauley, O’Flynn, Hume (Carlin 75). Subs: Varma, Logue & Gallagher (not used).

Armagh City: Sean Horgan, Dale Montgomery, Ryan McGerrigan, Ultan Lennon, Dara Noonan, Eamon Kelly, Kevin Keegan (Matthew Hynds 68), Liam Cullen, Stephen Murray, Philip Donnelly (Michael Toland 90), Shea McGerrigan (Paul Carvill 90). Subs: Conor McNamee & Michael Toland (not used).

Referee: Mr Wesley Campbell (Aughery).

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