Stradbally Town 3 Frankford FC 4 (AET)
Combined Counties Cup Round 1
Stradbally Town officially opened their brand new playing facility at Charter Road on Sunday morning.
At the start of the 2023 season, the club lost its pitch in The Lawn in Stradbally – where it had been almost consistently since the club was established in 1996.
As a result of the war in Ukraine, refugees who had fled were being housed in cabins on the land of Stradbally Hall – right where the club’s pitch used to be.
A new site was located on Charter Road, which is located just off the Timahoe Road, and works began to turn what was essentially a field for grazing sheep into a football pitch.
In the 15 months or so in between, Stradbally Town were homeless but played their matches in Timahoe at the grounds of T&S United.
All of the time, the committee, under the stewardship of chairman JP Cushen, secretary Stephen Buggy and treasurer Matt Kelly worked extremely hard.
All of that work culminated on Sunday as a fantastic facility which now contains two full size pitches parrallel to each other was unveiled.
And while the record books will show that Stradbally Town did not manage to win their first game at their new grounds, it certainly was a classic encounter.
This was Round 1 of the Combined Counties Cup and Frankford FC, from Kilcormac in Offaly, were the visitors.
They played with the wind in the first half and took the lead when a free kick wasn’t defended by Stradbally Town and Patrick Maher was on hand to finish in the fifth minute.
Stradbally Town’s response was good though as three minutes later, they were level.
Liam Clancy, Ciaran O’Neill and Jake Byrne were all involved before Charlie O’Brien popped up from left back to volley home.
But the Offaly side regained their lead in the 15th minute when Maher turned provider for Stephen Leonard to score.
Stradbally Town had chances to equlaise with Jimmy O’Connor hitting the crossbar and Jake Byrne miscuing in a one-on-one situation.
And Frankford made them pay when Michael Murrell curled in a free kick to leave it 3-1 at half time.
Stradbally Town made three changes at half time but it was two players already on the pitch who combined to get them back in the game.
Mick Ramsbottom fooled everyone when he took a free kick short to Ciaran O’Neill who weaved into the box before finding the top corner.
That is how it remained until 15 minutes from the end when O’Neill was taken down in the box and Liam Clancy slotted in the resulting penalty.
Both sides had chances to win it but no more goals came as we headed for extra time with the score at 3-3.
Stradbally Town almost took the lead for the first time in the contest just before half time in extra time but Liam Clancy’s effort was cleared off the line.
Stradbally hearts were broken then with five minutes to play when a cross from Stephen Leonard was turned into his own net by the unfortunate Podge Fitzpatrick.
Stradbally Town pushed for the goal that would force penalties but time ran out as Frankford advanced to the next round.
Defeat for Stradbally Town but a historic day nonetheless. Many more games and better results to come.
SCORERS – Stradbally Town: Cha O’Brien, Ciaran O’Neill and Liam Clancy (penalty) one goal each Frankford FC: Patrick Maher, Stephen Leonard and Michael Murrell one goal each, Podge Fitzpatrick own goal
STRADBALLY TOWN: Cormac Curry; Gavin Langton, John Haydon, Richard Carolan, Cha O’Brien; Jake Byrne, Jimmy O’Connor, John Clancy, Liam Clancy; Mick Ramsbottom, Ciaran O’Neill. Subs: Justin Lalor for Byrne, Sam Rooney for Langton and Colm Fitzpatrick for Haydon (all HT), Podge Fitzpatrick for Ramsbottom (80), Cillian Maher for C Fitzpatrick (100)
FRANKFORD FC: Ciaran Moore; Stephen Delaney, Richard Downes, Padraig Kearns, Joe Scully; Stephen Leonard, Michael Murrell, Michael Ryan, Ronan Doolin; Patrick Maher, Cathal Kiely Subs: Graham Melia for Kearns (40, inj), Oisin McKeown for Doolin (100)
REFEREE: Declan Moran (Abbeyleix)
SEE ALSO – Laois is a conservative, comfortable county – change will only ever come slowly
