ICYMI: Freebooters forced to dig deep to secure provincial title - Kilkenny Live

Freebooters B were crowned Leinster (LFA) Junior Plate champions on Sunday after beating East End Utd (Bennettsbridge) 2-0 in an all Kilkenny final in Derdimus.

"We're thrilled we won, it was a tough game, it wasn’t our best performance of the season but cup finals are there for wining so we’re delighted," Freebooters B manager, Shane Kelly stated after the full-time whistle.

The win was made even sweeter for the men in blue after the team of ’99 celebrated the 25th anniversary of the club's first Leinster Junior Cup title last Saturday night, with many of the talented players on show on Sunday eager to reach similar heights in the seasons to come.

In a tightly fought contest that required extra-time to separate the sides, two moments of magic from the boots of captain Kian Dunne and Evan Buggy secured victory for the city club when the game seemed destined for the lottery of a penalty shootout.

Sport can be cruel, with many supporters only remembering teams that lift silverware, but East End can be proud of their valiant efforts with a stern defence and moments of quality on the ball adding to what was a competitive contest.

In a game of fine margins and few chances, taking home the title was by no means certain for 'Booters, with an East End spot saved by Cian Rowe on the brink of half-time after a tangle of legs inside the 'Booters' box the Bridge’s biggest opportunity to snatch glory. A penalty miss that would have a major bearing in the eventual outcome.

The opening 15 minutes provided some good football in the middle third with Freebooters dominating possession without creating many chances of note. A Kian Dunne strike from close range and a resulting corner headed over by Robbie Hayes the best chance in that period.

A spirited East End defence courageously captured perfectly symbolised by Diarmuid Greene limited shots the number shots on their goal but as the half headed into the final 20 minutes, the game started to open up slightly in favour of Freebooters.

A mistake at the back from the ‘Bridge outfit gave Evan Buggy opportunity to shoot on goal with Aaron Maher up to the mark between the sticks.

A slight error from a Maher throw out just minutes later created more danger at the back with a foul ultimately committed on the edge of the box. However, the resulting free kick offered no danger for East End.

Freebooters started the second half with intent. Sam Oyewole cutting the East End defence apart with a dashing run, finding Shane Maher whose effort left East End to step into action.

Just short of the hour mark, Evan Buggy forced another impressive save from Aaron Maher outside the box but very much like the first half, chances were few and far between.

Sharp link up play from East End as they made ground from their own half into 'Booters territory forced city side to restructure their shape as the Bennettsbridge team looked to open up an opportunity, but in the battle between defence and attack, on this occasion the firm defence did enough.

Billy Wall had another chance from a header for Freebooters on the 65th minute which he failed to convert and from this point until closing stages the speed and urgency in the game waned slightly, with shots on goal rationed once again.

There was late drama at the end of normal time though, with any interest in a certain hurling match dwarfed with the excitement that Derdimus had to offer.

A foul on Shane Maher on the edge of the East End box with Kian Dunne’s resulting free kick saved by Maher.

The drama wasn’t over there though and in the next phase of play another tangle of legs this time just outside the Freebooters box gave East End a free kick which failed to find the target.

The match was well and truly on a seesaw at this point with its rigid nature a distant memory as space began to open up.

Neither team however could find that elusive winner in 90 minutes and additional 30 minutes would be required, surprisingly for two teams who have converted 29 goals between them in this competition.

But, when the goals came they were worth the wait.

Two quickfire goals, the first from Kian Dunne 11 minutes into the first period of extra-time and the second just eight minutes later from Evan Buggy allowed 'Booters to take a sigh of relief. Both goals were similar in style, with sweet, pinging strikes from just outside the box sending the net bulging with the celebrations that greeted both goals euphoric as Shane Kelly’s side could taste victory.

And while East End battled to the finish Freebooters savoured the last few minutes of the contest, with their play more relaxed and assured.

"We just wanted to get over the line, we really targeted this competition from the start of the season," Freebooters B Manager, Shay Kelly stated.

"It was a big squad effort today," he added.

FREEBOOTERS: C Rowe, R Walsh, J Coyne, S Delaney, R Hayes, S Maher, B Wall, S Oyewole, K Dunne, E Buggy, O Hanney. Subs: H Maher, F Nowakowski, A Ramoni, F Desmond, N McEvoy, C Butler, L Cahill.

EAST END: A Maher, S Byrne, K O’Sullivan, D Greene, S King, M Shiel, H Murphy, K Ryan, B Nolan, M O’Neill, D Coffey. Subs: C Molloy, M Molloy, T Hickey, F Cody, D O’Sullivan, D Laverty, A Smyth.

Referee: P Murphy.