Terenure win Harding Cup after epic shootout

BEGGSBORO 1
TERENURE  1
(Terenure 6-5 on pens)

“The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning.” – Pelé

Terenure’s Over 35s discovered the truth of those words when they finally ended 13 years of waiting to lift the Amateur Football League Harding Cup.

It took penalties, drama, controversy and a huge dose of resilience, but at the end of a pulsating final, played on Saturday, August 30 at Templeogue United’s grounds, they kept their heads to claim the club’s very first trophy at this level.

From the first whistle it was clear this was going to be tight final. Beggsboro FC, seasoned and stubborn, struck the opening blow inside the opening 15 minutes.

Jason King (pictured above) kept the head to bury a penalty to give the Cabra men an early advantage and instantly put Terenure on the back foot.

For long stretches of the half, it looked as though Beggsboro would carry that lead into the break.

But Terenure had no intention of quitting.

Deep into stoppage time, centre back Ger Barry leapt like a salmon to bury a header into the back of the Beggsboro net that meant his side went into the half time break with their tails up.

The second half brought chances, nerves, and a mounting sense that one moment could settle everything.

That moment looked like it arrived in the 80th minute when Beggsboro bundled the ball into the net for what seemed like a winning goal.

For a split second their players and fans erupted in joy, believing they had snatched the cup.

But referee Johnny Jackson, after conferring with his officials, ruled it out for handball.

The sense of reprieve was electric, and Terenure clung on until the final whistle before heading into the dreaded lottery of penalties.

Shootouts are cruel. They are brutal examinations of nerve and composure.

Both sides struck their penalties with class, the standard impressively high, but the spotlight belonged to one man.

Goalkeeper Mark Fitzgerald was the hero, saving two penalties, including the decisive stop that sealed glory and sent his teammates charging towards him in wild celebration.

Up front, striker Ryan O’Doherty (pictured above) epitomised Terenure’s determination, leading the line with relentless energy and moments of real quality.

His tireless display earned him the Man of the Match award, a fitting recognition.

After all that drama, it was left to Terenure captain Jonathan Lee to lift the Harding Cup aloft for a moment that will live long in the memory.

The celebrations were about far more than just one afternoon’s work.

They were the culmination of over a decade of persistence and devotion.

When Terenure launched their Over 35s team in the summer of 2012, current gaffer Mark Glynn was still on the pitch as a player.

By 2018, he had stepped up as manager, carrying the weight of keeping the side going and ensuring it didn’t fold.

This year he was joined by Head Coach Joe Gorman, whose influence has been transformative.

Grassroots football management, as every volunteer knows, is a labour of love which can test the patience!

Yet for Glynn, Gorman, and the men of Terenure, Saturday was proof that the struggle is worth it.

Veterans like Darren “Dazzler” Finlay, now in his tenth year with the team, made his mark again after coming on after half an hour.

Another Terenure stalwart who deserves a shout out is Roscommon native Donal Donnelly who is also coming up on a decades service.

For 13 years, Terenure’s Over 35s chased glory.

On that epic Saturday, they finally broke on through to the other side!

Hopefully this is the first of many trophies to come for this great squad of players.