Published: Wednesday, 31st March, 2010 5:00pm

Knightsbrook fail to beat Banagher

Knightsbrook 3 Banagher 3, Banagher 6-5 penalties

Killian Ryan (Knightsbrook) under pressure from Fintan McDermott (Banagher) during Sunday's Leinster Junior Shield semi-final at the MDL, Navan.

Defeat on penalties at the penultimate hurdle is the worst way to be knocked out of any competition and that was the fate of Knightsbrook on Sunday when their Leinster Junior Shield aspirations faded against Banagher at the MDL, Navan.

The Trim men squandered a 2-0 interval lead and then had three sudden death penalties in the shoot-out to advance to the final, but were denied by visiting goalkeeper Gary Kelly.

After the sides had ended 3-3 following a thrilling conclusion to the 90 minutes, there was no further scoring in extra-time and so penalties were necessary.

Both sides missed spot kicks in the regulation five, with Alan Gilbane's effort saved and Eugene Goulding denying Michael Clear.

The sudden death penalty shoot-out was as dramatic as any ever witnessed at MDL headquarters. Both goalkeepers were superb with Goulding saving from James Corrigan and Jason Whelan.

However, it was the Offaly side's goalkeeper who was the hero. His first stop in sudden death denied James Curran and the home side victory. He then saved well from Darren Blayney and James Moynihan after his team mates had been denied by Goulding.

PJ Madden edged Banagher ahead with his side's 10th penalty and it was Gavin O'Neill who was the unfortunate one when Kelly saved a third successive penalty to seal victory for the Offaly side.

Playing their second game in four days didn't seem to have any ill-effect on Knightsbrook in the early stages. Their 4-3 extra-time win over Castle Villa in the Fitzsimons Cup on Thursday had them brimming with confidence. They dominated the opening half and should have been more than two goals clear at the break.

A comfortable win looked likely when Eddie Murray capitalised on a long clearance to toe poke beyond Kelly for the lead goal. Knightsbrook struggled to take advantage of the wind with Clayton Keegan pulling the strings in midfield and going close on a couple of occasions.

As the half wore on Banagher became a greater threat. Goulding was outstanding to deny Fergal McDermott two minutes before the break and 60 seconds later the goalkeeper also did well to keep out a James Corrigan effort.

After soaking up some pressure Knightsbrook hit Banagher on the break and doubled their advantage when Anthony Craig controlled Craig O'Hanlon's superb cross before curling a brilliant shot into the top corner.

That was the pinnacle of Knightsbrook's afternoon. Banagher's fresher legs told in the second-half as they dominated possession. An error by Goulding saw him fail to deal with Ciaran Flannery's corner as the ball drifted to the net to give Banagher hope.

McDermott and Whelan had chances to restore parity before a defensive error allowed Whelan make amends for missed opportunities and set up a tense final 20 minutes.

Goulding was outstanding again to deny Clear, but with six minutes remaining Banagher took the lead when Timmy Gilmore rounded Goulding to make it 3-2. Facing elimination Knightsbrook hit back immediately with Keegan getting on the end of O'Hanlon's long throw to force extra-time.

Banagher - K Kelly; M Madden, S Malone, P J Madden, K Bond, Fintan McDermott, C Flannery, T Gilmore, Fergal McDermott, J Corrigan, M Clear. Subs - J Whelan for Fintan McDermott 55mins, C Bennett for M Madden 81m.

Knightsbrook - E Goulding; J Moynihan, D Blayney, T J Garry, A Gilbane, A Craig, J Curran, C Keegan, C O'Hanlon, E Murray, K Ryan. Sub - G O'Neill for Ryan 55mins.

Referee - A Sherlock.