10/12/2011: Afton Villa 2 – Grangevale 2 (aet) (Corinthians Cup)
Grangevale won 4-3 on penalties

Grangevale advanced to the last sixteen of the Corinthian’s Cup after a nail biting penalty shoot out victory over a gallant Afton Villa in Killeady on Saturday afternoon.  Dave Burke started his first game in goal in recent memory and was protected by a back four of Peter Radley, Ross Farrell, Keith O’Callaghan and Ken O’Connor. Damo O’Callaghan ©, Shane Kennedy, John Harris and Dan Cronin made up the midfield with Dave O’Connor and Alan O’Mahony up front.

The surface in Killeady had a big bearing on this tie with severely soft underfoot conditions making it very difficult for both sides to play a passing game. The Vale were ahead after 15 minutes as a result of an unfortunate Afton Villa own goal but the home side went into the break 2-1 up with two well taken opportunities when the visitors defense failed to clear. Grangevale got back on level terms thanks to an Alan O’Mahony finish from O’Callaghan’s cross on 58 minutes. After this, neither team managed to score again in normal or extra time and the dreaded penalty shoot out followed.

To say that the shoot out was bizarre would be an understatement! Each team missed three from their opening five spot kicks with Harris and Damo O’Callaghan scoring for The Vale. Four extra kicks each were required before The Vale emerged victorious on a 4-3 shoot out scoreline, Maher and O’Neill netting in sudden death for the eventual winners. The five players who missed from the spot shall remain anonymous to save any blushes!

Next week the lads return to league action when UCC visit Grangevale Park on Sunday morning, kick off 10.45am. Grangevale really need to overturn the result from their previous league meeting on the 15^th of October last when the students surprised everyone running out comfortable winners on a 5-2 scoreline.

25/11/2011: Glenvale 2 Grangevale 0 (AUL 1A)

Grangevale lost further ground on league leaders Douglas Hall on Friday night having lost 2-0 to 4th place Glenvale on Mayfield’s all-weather facility.  Paul O’Halloran started in goal and was protected by a back four of Dan Cronin, Phil Holland, Dave Burke and Ken O’Connor. Damo O’Callaghan, Shane Kennedy, John Harris and Colin Murphy (C) made up the midfield with Dave O’Connor and Adam Cann up front.

The Vale controlled possession for the majority of the 1st half but found themselves 1-0 down at the break due to an unfortunate 19th minute Dan Cronin o.g. Despite their dominance, The Vale failed to produce the opportunities the possession merited with O’Connor & Kennedy coming closest. O’Connor’s shot came back off the post in the 34th minute and Kennedy saw his powerful header go narrowly wide on the stroke of half time.  Glenvale set their stall out for the second period changing to a more defensive 3-5-1 formation, and, to their credit, they defended resolutely, limiting the visitors to a few half chances at best. The second goal came in the 63rd minute with a classic counter attack, and, having rounded O’Halloran, the Glenvale midfield player made no mistake. Grangevale themselves changed to a 3-4-3 formation for the remainder of the game but still could not fashion any real chances of note. In fact, had it not been for a few excellent saves from O’Halloran, the scoreline could have been worse.

Next weekend the lads are in AOH Cup 3rd round action when they travel away to take on Richmond on Saturday at 2pm. The two sides have met in the league already this season when goals from Alan O’Mahony and Adam Cann gave The Vale a 2-1 away win.

13/11/2011: Grangevale 6 Hibernians 3 (AOH Cup)

Grangevale striker Adam Cann was the star of the show in Sundays AOH Cup victory over Hibernians B at Grangevale Park. Cann scored four goals before being substituted in the 70th minute having picked up a slight injury.  Paul O’Halloran was in goal and the back four comprised of Ken O’Connor, Keith O’Callaghan, Phil Holland and John O’Connell. Dan Cronin, John Harris, Shane Kennedy and Damo O’Callaghan were in midfield and Adam Cann and Alan O’Mahony formed the strike partnership.

Dan Cronin was switched from full back to wide on the right flank for this encounter and caused the visitors trouble from the beginning with great runs and some super crosses into the area. Cann was unlucky not to open the scoring on two occasions as a result of Cronin’s delivery but narrowly missed. His partner up front O’Mahony had a great opportunity to open the scoring in the 14th minute but shot over the bar from 15 yards out.  Cann managed to make the breakthrough in the 19th minute with a cool finish from Harris’s through ball. His and Grangevales second followed 18 minutes later when Cronin’s shot was parried into his path by the Hibs keeper and Cann made no mistake from close range.

The home side got a wake up call in the 52nd minute when Hibs scored making it 2-1. Cann stepped up to the plate yet again and scored with two sublime lobs leaving the keeper stranded each time. The visitors scored a second after some sloppy Grangevale defending before Cronin scored a fifth from a tight angle. Hibs kept battling and got a third in the 80th minute before Kennedy finished the days scoring after great work by O’Callaghan.  Next week it is back to league action with the visit of Dunbar Celtic to Grangevale Park on Sunday morning, kick-off 10.45am.

06/11/2011: Grangevale 5 Rathcoole    1 (AUL 1A)

Grangevale made it six wins from eight league games played with a comfortable victory over Rathcoole at Grangevale Park on Sunday morning.  After last weeks performance where the lads came from 0-2 down to run out 4-3 winners, the team selection posed a severe headache for the management with a number of players who were absent last week available for selection.  David Long was in goal and the back four comprised of Dan Cronin, Dave Burke, Keith O’Callaghan and Ken O’Connor. Colin Murphy, Ross Farrell, John Harris and Damo O’Callaghan were in midfield and Adam Cann and Dave O’Connor formed the strike partnership.

The home side began well and dominated the opening exchanges but it was the visitors who took the lead in the 16th minute from a superb free kick from 25 yards out. As per last week, it was Cann who equalised when O’Callaghan’s 27th minute corner kick was headed into Cann’s path by Burke and he slotted the ball passed the keeper with ease. Cann got his second of the game in the 37th minute to put the lads 2-1 up going into the break.

The second half was only seven minutes old when Damo O’Callaghan got his first goal of the season with a well struck left footed drive to the bottom left hand corner. Colin McSweeney replaced Farrell in the 64th minute and he added a fourth goal only 5 minutes later with a great header at the far post. Maher and O’Mahony replaced O’Connor and O’Callaghan and Captain Colin Murphy scored the fifth with seconds remaining on the clock to top off a good mornings work which keeps The Vale in second spot in the league behind neighbours Douglas Hall.  Next Sunday morning, Hibernians B visit Grangevale Park for an AOH Cup 2nd Round tie, kick-off 10.45am.

30/10/2011: Greenmount 4 Donoughmore 3 (AUL 1A)

Having beaten the same opposition 3-0 away from home only three weeks ago, The Vale had to battle hard to get the 3 points on offer in Grangevale Park on Sunday morning. In fact, there were six changes to the starting eleven that began the previous encounter for various reasons.  Paul O’Halloran was between the sticks and Diarmuid O’Neill, Ross Farrell, Keith O’Callaghan and John O’Connell formed the defensive quartet. Ken O’Connor, John Harris, Colin Murphy and Dave O’Connor made up the midfield and Adam Cann was partnered up front by Eric Maher.

The visitors got the perfect start when they were awarded a penalty after only 6 minutes, O’Halloran saved but the striker was quick to score at the second attempt. Grangevale to their credit didn’t panic and were very unlucky when Cann and O’Callaghan both came close with headed efforts. Unfortunately, it was Donoughmore who scored again on 28 minutes putting them 2-0 ahead against the run of play. The lads kept trying and their efforts were rewarded in the 36th minute when in-form Cann scored from close range and the crowd wondered if Grangevale could possibly come from behind and win for the first time this season.

The second half was only 4 minutes old when Harris’s shot/cross gave the lads the equaliser they deserved. The goal of the game came in the 57th minute when Eric Maher controlled, turned and struck an awesome shot that gave the Donoughmore keeper no chance. Cann got his second and The Vale’s fourth in the 70th minute with a bullet header from a well delivered O’Connor corner. The visitors did make for a nervous final 2/3 minutes when they were awarded another penalty which made the scoreline 4-3, but thankfully, Grangevale hung on and took the points.  Next Sunday morning, the lads are at home to Rathcoole Rovers, kick-off 10.45 at Grangvale Park.

15/10/2011: UCC 5 Grangevale 2

Grangevale spurned the chance of joining their neighbours Douglas Hall at the top of the AUL 1A league table having been convincingly beaten by UCC at The Farm, Curraheen on Saturday afternoon.  Paul O’Sullivan started in goal and was protected by a back four of Dan Cronin, Keith O’Callaghan, Dave Burke and Ken O’Connor. Colin Murphy, Damo O’Callaghan, John Harris and Colin McSweeney made up the midfield with Dave O’Connor and Alan O’Mahony up front.

In what was only their second game of the season due to the College calendar, the students started with fire in their bellies and took the game to Grangevale from the off. They were ahead after 6 minutes when a neat through ball was controlled well and tucked away by the striker. It was 2-0 after 19 minutes when slack marking from Grangevale allowed the midfielder to score from distance. Things got worse in the 31st minute when the home side scored a third and The Vale looked all out of sorts.  Farrell replaced O’Connor in the 33rd minute and Cann was introduced in the 40th minute for O’Mahony, with McSweeney moving to full back and O’Callaghan going to the left flank.

At half time, Kennedy was introduced in place of McSweeney and a 3-4-3 formation was introduced in an effort to try and salvage something from the game. However, it was the home side who came out of the blocks quickest for the second period and scored their fourth of the game straight from the restart. At 4-0, all involved feared the worst but Cann delivered a ray of hope with a neat finish in the 53rd minute. O’Connor went agonisingly close soon after only to see his shot come back off the upright. O’Connor had another opportunity in the 60th minute from the penalty spot but the keeper saved to his left. Burke got a second for the Vale in the 64th minute and it was now all one-way traffic with the home side seeming content to soak up the pressure. The Vale had a few more decent opportunities but poor finishing let them down and it was UCC who had the final say with a breakaway fifth goal just before full time.  Next week the lads take on 3rd Division opposition in the AOH Cup where they will face Hibernians B in Shanbally, k.o. 3pm.

08/10/2011: Donoughmore 0 Grangevale 3

Grangevale continued their current impressive league run with a 3-0 victory away to Donoughmore on Saturday. This is never an easy place to go and secure points and with difficult underfoot conditions combined with a strong breeze, the lads knew that if they were to get something from the game they would really have to earn it.

David Long started in goal and was protected by a back four of Dan Cronin, Keith O’Callaghan, Dave Burke and Ken O’Connor. Colin Murphy ©, Damo O’Callaghan, John Harris and Colin McSweeney made up the midfield with Dave O’Connor and Alan O’Mahony up front.

Both teams started tentatively in an attempt to get a handle on the conditions, however, The Vale had a clear opportunity after only 6 minutes when Captain Murphy fired over from 10 yards after good play from O’Mahony and O’Callaghan. Murphy would have been disappointed with his effort but that was soon forgotten when Harris, having lost possession, fought back to retrieve the ball ending up with him being upended in the penalty area and referee Stephen McDermott immediately pointed to the spot. O’Connor slotted home the spot kick with aplomp giving Grangevale a 1-0 advantage.

The Vale began to take control of the game after this and the home team were finding it increasingly difficult to come to terms with the tenacity and spirit of the visitors. McSweeney had an opportunity to increase the lead on 31 minutes but his shot flew passed the far post and wide. In the 33rd minute, Grangevale were awarded a free kick midway between their own box and the half way line. Centre back Burke stepped up and launched a fierce drive goalwards, confusion ensued between the home keeper and defender resulting in the ball going straight into the net for a bizarre second goal.

As expected, the home team tried to put the pressure on in the second half but to no avail. Long was rock solid in goal and O’Callaghan and Harris were completely controlling the centre of the pitch. The third goal came in the 73rd minute when, again, it was Harris who was fouled in the box and, again, O’Connor finished coolly from the spot. Maher, O’Connell and Murray replaced McSweeney, O’Connor and O’Mahony and the lads saw the game out securing another vital 3 away points.

Next Saturday is another away league assignment against the students of UCC, k.o. 3pm at the Farm.

10/09/2011: Greenmount 0 Grangevale 4

Grangevale put last week’s disappointing St. Michael’s Cup exit behind them with a terrific away win on Saturday against a much fancied Greenmount side, who were unbeaten in all competitions coming into this fixture. In sometimes monsoon-like conditions, the lads put in an inspirational performance, outplaying the home side for long periods of the game.

Paul O’Halloran was between the sticks and Dan Cronin, Ken O’Connor, Keith O’Callaghan and Dave Burke formed the defensive quartet. The midfield comprised of Damo O’Callaghan, Colin Murphy ©, Shane Kennedy, Ross Farrell and John Harris, with Adam Cann the lone striker.

The Vale had their first scoring opportunity after 8 minutes but unfortunately Cann shot over the crossbar, having beaten the offside trap and controlling the ball well. After 21 minutes, Harris got the opener, coolly picking his spot from 20 yards after Cann’s initial shot was blocked. Harris was on the mark again on 32 minutes for his & Grangevale’s second, finishing well from a tight angle wide on the left.

0-2 at the break and really this was a great show of determination from the lads in the opening 45 minutes. The second half saw more of the same with the home side becoming frustrated with the constant harassment being inflicted on them which inhibited them for playing the flowing football for which they are known.

The 3rd goal came from the right foot of Ross Farrell following an O’Connor throw in on the left flank. Cann controlled the ball well and layed it up for Farrell to shoot passed the home keeper. Greenmount were given a flicker of hope in the 76th minute when awarded a penalty kick, but, despite striking the ball well, the striker was denied by a superb save from O’Halloran in the Grangevale goal. Burke got the 4th and final goal of the game with a strongly struck free kick from 30 yards which the home keeper couldn’t manage to keep out.

Next Saturday sees the lads travel away from home for the 4th week in succession with a trip to Donoughmore.

03/09/2011: Cathedral Celtic 5 Grangevale 3 (St. Michael's Cup)
 

Having reached the final of this competition last season, The Vale made a disappointing exit from the St. Michael’s Cup in the 1st round on Saturday having been beaten 5-3 by Cathedral Celtic.

Paul O’Sullivan started in goal and was protected by a back four of Mark Hackett, Keith O’Callaghan, Dan Cronin and Colin McSweeney. Damo O’Callaghan, Shane Kennedy, Ross Farrell and Colin Murphy (C) made up the midfield with Dave O’Connor and Alan O’Mahony up front.

The Vale made a sluggish start and having failed to clear a long ball in the 14th minute, were punished by the home striker. Things went from bad to worse in the 25th minute when the home side scored again to make it 2-0. The long ball over the top was causing all sorts of problems and the home side could smell blood and went for the jugular scoring 2 more before the break.

Adam Cann and John Harris were introduced at half time and both were positioned up front alongside O’Connor in an effort to try to get back into the game early in the second period, however, it was the home side who again hit the net in the 48th minute making the task even more difficult, if not impossible. To their credit, Grangevale dug in and eventually began to find some momentum. Harris got a goal back in the 57th minute and Farrell added a second soon after. Colin Murphy scored another in the 65th minute and, all of a sudden, there was a belief that all was not lost, the home side seeming to crack under the constant pressure. An apparent blatant penalty was turned down by the referee with 12 minutes remaining and this really was a cruel blow as, had it been given and dispatched, the ultimate comeback could well and truly have been on the cards. The Vale keep the pressure on the home side and created a few more chances but Cathedral managed to keep the lads at bay and held on for the victory.

Next Saturday sees the lads resume their league campaign with an away assignment against Greenmount in Murphy’s Farm (Curraheen) at 3pm. Greenmount have been blazing a trail in the league so far and also recorded a notable victory over Fariview (The Vale’s conquerors in the Cup Final last April) in the St. Michael’s Cup at the weekend.
 

27/08/2011: Richmond 1 Grangevale 2

Grangevale won their second game in three days with a hard fought victory over old rivals Richmond in Garrandarragh on Saturday afternoon.  Paul O’Halloran started in goal and was protected by a back four of Dan Cronin, Keith O’Callaghan, Dave Burke and Colin McSweeney. Damo O’Callaghan, Shane Kennedy, Ross Farrell and Colin Murphy (C) made up the midfield with Dave O’Connor and Alan O’Mahoney up front.

The home side had failed to register a point from their opening two league fixtures and after The Vale’s super win the previous Thursday in Millstreet, the lads were full of confidence going into the game. The conditions on the day were somewhat mixed and the poor playing surface meant that flowing football was probably not going to be the order of the day.

Striker Alan O’Mahony broke the deadlock after 15 minutes following sustained pressure from the lads, O’Mahony tapped home from close range after good work and a mazy run from his strike partner O’Connor. The Vale were now well in control but as the first half wore on, the home side found some momentum and had Grangevale under pressure before the break.

The second half again saw Grangevale up the tempo but clear cut chances were difficult to create given the conditions. Adam Cann replaced O’Mahoney in the 65th minute and only 6 minutes later, Cann beat the offside trap, rounded the keeper and coolly slotted home to give The Vale some breathing space. Soon after the second goal, Mark Hackett replaced Burke at centre half for his first run off the season. Richmond made the game interesting by scoring a breakaway goal in the 80th minute. John Harris was immediately introduced in place of O’Connor with Grangevale opting for a 4-5-1 formation in an attempt to preserve their slender lead. Cann almost put The Vale two clear again in the 87th minute only to see his header come back off the crossbar after a great cross from Harris. There was relief at the sound of referee Denis Donovan’s full time whistle and, after falling at their first hurdle with defeat at the hands of Innishvilla, The Vale have found redemption with two wins from two difficult away assignments.

Next Saturday sees the lads travel away from home for the 3rd game in succession when they take on Cathedral Celtic in The Fairfield in Round 1 of the St. Michael’s Cup in which they were Runner’s-Up last season, k.o. 3pm.

25/08/2011: Millstreet 1 Grangevale 4

The long spin home from Millstreet was made all the more bearable on Thursday night with the lads celebrating a fantastic away victory over last years AUL 2 champions.

Paul O’Halloran started in goal and was protected by a back four of Dan Cronin, Keith O’Callaghan, Dave Burke and Colin McSweeney. Damo O’Callaghan, Shane Kennedy, Ross Farrell and Colin Murphy (C) made up the midfield with Dave O’Connor and Alan O’Mahoney up front.

The Vale began the game at a frantic pace and O’Mahoney came close in the 7th minute but his shot flew narrowly over. Colin McSweeney was the next to threaten with a flashing shot across the face of the goal after superb build up play in the midfield.  The deadlock was finally broken in the 23rd minute when Damo O’Callaghan’s cross was expertly controlled and volleyed to the net by O’Connor. The scorer had a frustrating afternoon on the previous Saturday and his delight was obvious at getting off the mark for the season. Michael O’Farrell brought the half to a close with the score still 0-1 to The Vale.

During the break, the Management strongly encouraged that a second goal would probably be enough to put this game beyond Millstreets reach and it was O’Connor again who scored, lobbing the keeper from wide on the right in the 52nd minute. This knocked the wind out of the home sides sails and 5 minutes later O’Connor completed his hat trick having smashed a loose ball to the net. It was 0-4 in the 67th minute when inspirational Captain Colin Murphy’s header beat the keeper all ends up. Peter Radley, John O’Connell and Ken O’Connor were introduced in place of Burke, Murphy and O’Callaghan and despite the home side getting a consolation goal in the 89th minute, all that travelled hit the road back to Cork in jubilant mood and relishing next Saturday’s game away to Richmond.

23/08/2011: Grangevale 0 Innishvilla 2

Grangevale’s season got off to a disappointing start last Saturday in Grangevale Park, the lads going down 0-2 to newly promoted Innishvilla.

New signing Paul O’Halloran started in goal and was protected by a back four of Dan Cronin, Keith O’Callaghan, Dave Burke and Colin McSweeney. Damo O’Callaghan, Shane Kennedy, John Harris and Colin Murphy (C) made up the midfield with Dave O’Connor and Adam Cann up front.

The first 15 minutes saw both sides sparring with each other with a few half chances created but nothing of note. Innishvilla had a good opportunity on 18 minutes but O’Halloran made a great full length save to deny the visitors, punching clear. The follow up shot saw Cronin magnificently clear off the goal line. The visitors were reduced to 10 men on 33 minutes when their left full saw red for a second bookable offense. When Con Long blew for half time, the home contingent were confident that the game was there for the taking especially with the one man advantage. This confidence took a severe blow in the 52nd minute when Grangevale got caught in possession and the Innishvilla striker broke free to finish well passed O’Halloran.

The Vale went in search of an equaliser and began to lay siege on the visitor’s goal only to be thwarted on a number of occasions by a combination of excellent goalkeeping and poor finishing. The Vale changed to a more attacking 3-4-3 formation for the last 25 minutes with debutant Ross Farrell replacing McSweeney and shortly after, Diarmuid O’Neill and Eric Maher replacing Harris and Burke. As Grangevale sought the elusive equaliser, they got caught with a sucker punch in the 82nd minute when a long Innishvilla kick out somehow managed to reach their lone striker in space and he made no mistake putting the visitors 2-0 in front and effectively ending the game as a contest.

It doesn’t get any easier for the lads, as Thursday evening requires a tough journey down to Millstreet for a 6.45pm kick off against another newly promoted side.