Munster Express Online

Blarney United 1; Southend United 1 (Blarney won 4-2 on penalties)

The Marty Crowe Memorial Cup is played every year in honour of a man who was a founder member of the Southend club.

The County Cork outfit opened up brightly and they forced three corner kicks during the opening minutes of the game and they had their hosts under pressure as they tried to open the scoring.

Robbie Butler whipped in the first two to the near post but Lee Russell and Daniel O’Sullivan were on hand to head clear, the third one fell to the feet of Dave Sweeney but Cliff Kearney raced from his goal to make a fine save.

On 20 minutes Southend put together a good move down the left. Michael Merrigan found David Croke and when his cross came in the Blarney defence looked in trouble but ’keeper Breen raced from his line to take the ball off the head of Sean Ryan.

Southend then suffered a major set back on the half hour mark when striker Dylan Murphy was carried of with a damaged ankle. He was replaced by Aaron Galibert who went on to put in a man of the match performance.

After 35 minutes Blarney United took the lead with a wonderful goal. Butler swung a cross into the box and Ken Coleman showed some neat foot work to dribble his way past three Southend defenders before slipping the ball into the far corner past the diving Kearney.

Southend responded well and they went close minutes later, Aaron Galibert swung in a corner kick that found the head of Lee Russell but his header was well saved at the near post by Breen.

Southend equalised on 40 minutes. Michael Merrigan overlapped down the left and crossed to the near post; goalkeeper Breen came for the cross but Southend striker Arron Galibert beat him to the ball and headed home.

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