1996/99
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HARP LAGER FAI INTERMEDIATE CUP (2nd Round)
29 October 1997
CUFFE MANULLA'S SAVIOUR ONCE AGAIN!
Manulla . . . 1 Salthill Devon . . . 0
By Jonathan Mullin . . .in Manulla
For the second week running, Barry Cuffe achieved hero status in his home town of Manulla with yet another vital second-half goal.
Last week if you remember, Cuffe's injury time lob awarded Manulla a replay in their F.A.I. Intermediate Cup second round tie with Salthill Devon.
On Sunday at a chilly Manulla, Cuffe's 67th minute goal allowed Manulla eclipse their much vaunted Galway opponents in a game which provided a drama-filled second-half.
In a reversal of the original match of the series, Manulla were totally outclassed in the first half and can consider themselves fortunate to have gone into the interval on level terms.
Manulla's sole chance in the opening three quarters of an hour was a Michael Costello effort on ten minutes which rebounded to safety off the upright.
The closing exchanges of the first half were predominantly governed by a rampant Salthill.
Striker Kenny Talbot, a troublesome substitute in last week's game, was at the heart of much of Salthill's efforts. Talbot should have done better with his header on thirty minutes, but more was to come.
Midfield supremo Martin O'Connell had a glorious chance five minutes later and in the moments before half-time, Tommy McDonald, Kenny Gavin and Declan Sheridan all had opportunities to open the scoring but a combination of heart-stopping defending and sturdy goalkeeping denied them the breakthrough.
The second-half proved to be only a remote relation of the first as Manulla completed their metamorphous and emerged from their reserved shell a dominant and more confident side.
Gilt-edged Chances
Within sixty seconds of Jimmy Blake's restarting whistle, Michael Costello's free kick flew narrowly wide and this proved to be merely a prelude of what was to come.
On fifty minutes man-of-the-match Gerry Lohan dribbled towards the left of the penalty box before placing Roger Clarke in the sanctuary of the six yard area and the midfielder should have done better with his header.
Further gilt-edged chances were to follow. Two minutes later, Clarke was again put through the centre and this time his effort bounced unluckily off the foot of the post.
Surely Manulla were eventually going to capitalise on their supremacy and in time they did, but not before Alan Rumley, John Dempsey and Lohan all spurned good chances.
Midway through the half the breakthrough finally arrived. John Dempsey's in swinging corner found the head of Barry Cuffe who grabbed another vital goal.
The closing quarter was not without incident. Thirteen minutes from time Salthill Devon were awarded what must be described a dubious penalty. Perhaps justice prevailed when Tommy McDonald's floated effort drifted wide of the right-hand post.
As the home side desperately tried to maintain the narrow lead, Salthill Devon threw everything they had at them.
In time-added on, Manulla's hard-working Brian Cunnane effect what was possible the most brilliant cameo on the entire game. What can best be described as a spectacular overhead off-the-line clearance, was necessary to preserve Manulla's lead and ultimately seal a well deserved victory.
Manulla: R. O'Malley, S. Staunton, T. Healy, D. Ansboro, B. Cunnane, M. Costello, R. Clarke, J. Dempsey, J. Hennelly, A. Rumley and G. Lohan. Res: B. Cuffe for Staunton.
Salthill Devon: J. Flaherty, R. Silke, J. Reilly, D. Silke, D. Sheridan, R. Grant, M. O'Connell, S. Cox, K. Talbot, T. McDonald and K. Gavin. Res: D. Murphy for O'Connell, D. Morahan for Gavin and K. Monaghan for Cox.
Ref: Jimmy Blake (Castlebar).
* Star Rating: Barry Cuffe. . .sensational winner.
