{"url":"https://www.southernstar.ie/subscriber-exclusives/five-star-ardfield-end-long-wait-for-silverware-as-niall-keane-scores-brace-in-championship-cup-final-win-4359554","title":"Five-star Ardfield end long wait for silverware as Niall Keane scores brace in Championship Cup final win | The Southern Star","domain":"southernstar.ie","imageUrl":null,"category":"Sports","language":"en","slug":"d7fc2f6a","id":"d7fc2f6a-afd2-4c53-bfa1-ec34e27c9534","description":"Ardfield beat Beara United 5-1 in Championship Cup final.","summary":"## TL;DR\n- **Ardfield** beat **Beara United** **5-1** in **Championship Cup final**.\n- **Niall Keane** scored brace in **West Cork League** win at **Skibbereen**.\n- Ends **Ardfield**'s long wait for adult silverware.\n\n## The story at a glance\n**Ardfield** dominated **Beara United** **5-1** in the **West Cork League Championship Cup final** at **Ollie McCarthy Park**, **Skibbereen**, on Sunday amid heavy rain. **Niall Keane** scored twice, with **Michael Maguire**, **Sam Linehan**, and **Paul Hodnett** also netting as **Ardfield** led **1-0** at half-time before adding four second-half goals. This victory ends their long wait for **West Cork League** adult silverware.\n\n## Key moments & milestones\n- **7th minute**: **Daniel Hanley** forces save from **Aaron O’Brien**.\n- **26th minute**: **Niall Keane** side-foots home after **Paul Hodnett** setup for **1-0**.\n- **47th minute**: **Michael Maguire** thunders in **2-0** post-restart.\n- **65th minute**: **Niall Keane** long-range strike makes it **3-0**.\n- **~70th minute**: **Sam Linehan** scores **4-0**.\n- **75th minute**: **Declan Dunne** penalty for **Beara** (**4-1**), then **Paul Hodnett** heads **5-1**.\n\n## Signature highlights\n- **Ardfield** scored four second-half goals despite atrocious rain and wind.\n- **Niall Keane** hit both posts before brace, named match star.\n- **Beara United** sought first men's **West Cork League** trophy but faded.\n- **Ardfield** line-up: **Aaron O’Brien**, **Caolan Hayes**, **Fintan Barrett** (capt), **Michael Maguire**, **Ronan Hayes**, **Niall Keane**, **Sam Linehan**, **Sean Lawless**, **Paul Hodnett**, **George Cannon**, **Conor Twomey**.\n- **Ardfield** still chase **Championship** title and prep for **Beamish Cup final** vs **Drinagh Rangers**.\n\n## Key quotes\n- \"‘Overall, I’m very happy with the lads and absolutely delighted to win this trophy,’ **Johnny Lawless** told **The Southern Star**.\"\n- \"‘This is **Ardfield**’s first **West Cork League** adult trophy in a long time – it’s a nice achievement.’ **Johnny Lawless**.\"\n\n## Why it matters\nWest Cork League cups mark key milestones for local clubs chasing regional dominance. **Ardfield** fans and players celebrate ending trophy drought, boosting momentum for league and **Beamish Cup**. Watch **Ardfield** vs **Aultagh Celtic** next, then **Beamish Cup final** vs **Drinagh Rangers**.","hashtags":["#football","#gaa","#westcork","#league","#cupfinal","#sport"],"viewCount":2,"publishedAt":"2026-04-04T18:18:41.636Z"}