Clinical Ewington ends 99-year hurt

Andy Ewington’s remarkable short corner prowess helped Monkstown end 99 years of hurt with a rip-roaring 5-4 Irish Senior Cup victory over Pembroke Wanderers at Belfield yesterday. The New Zealander’s recent return to their lineup has been a spectacular one, as he nailed five drag-flicks from six attempt to twice down Three Rock Rovers. The first two came in last weekend’s Leinster Senior Cup final as his side fought from 3-1 down, and they repeated that comeback trick in Saturday’s Irish Senior Cup semi-final with a hat-trick to break Rovers’ hearts once more. Pembroke came from two goals down to draw with Banbridge and see them off on penalties, setting up a final that was one for the ages in terms of both skill and drama.

Davy Carson and Ewington gave Monkstown a 2-0 lead but Alan Sothern’s 41st and 42nd goals of the season levelled it early in the second half. Ewington rocketed home another drag before Sothern got a beautiful touch to George Dagg’s cross for 3-3. Monkstown’s Gareth Watkins saw a penalty stroke saved by former team-mate Mark Ingram while Andrew Ward missed an open net for the Rathdown side, necessitating silver goal extra time; three goals followed in a crazy five minutes. Ward thought he’d won it but back came Pembroke through Ronan Flannery, before Ewington dragged home the winner with seconds to go — his eighth strike in just 12 attempts on goal. It’s Monkstown’s first ISC title in 99 years, all the sweeter given they had lost three finals in the previous five seasons. Meanwhile, a controlled midfield performance from Railway Union helped them dislodge UCD as women’s Irish Senior Cup holders, winning 3-2 against the students. Sarah Greene put UCD in front inside 80 seconds but Emer Lucey’s corner bash levelled it up eight minutes later. Emma Smyth’s stunning solo run was ended with a crisp reverse for 2-1 but Caroline Hill levelled for UCD 12 seconds before half-time. But Alex Speers played in Zara Delany for what proved to be the winner midway through the second half, as Railway shut the game down brilliantly, not allowing UCD any shots on goal until the dying minutes.