1996/99
For up to date news visit the Connaught Telegraph website.
Clarke ends Manulla goal drought with match winner
Soccer
11 February 1998
ALLIED IRISH BANKS CONNAUGHT SENIOR CUP (First Round)
LATE FLARE-UP MARS CLASH OF FIERCE RIVALS. . .
Ballyglass ......................... 0 Manulla ............................ 1
Tom Kelly Reports
Manulla wanted it more and it showed. They needed to advance to the quarter finals of the Connaught Senior Cup to resurrect a season which has become increasingly disappointing and frustrating for them.
A 20th minute goal by Roger Clarke, his side's first goal in seven matches, proved sufficient in bringing down the challenge of fierce rivals Ballyglass. The result brought to an end an unbeaten home record stretching back over thirteen months, the last team to beat Ballyglass at the venue being Ballyheane in the Connaught Junior Cup in January, 1997.
Ballyglass, a side had other things on their collective mind like next Sunday's Guinness F.A.I. Junior Cup sixth round clash against North End, could have few complaints following a performance devoid of inspiration and invention.
That's not to say that Manulla were given an easy ride. Because they certainly were not and have the bruises to prove it.
This was a match in which the tackling was red raw, and some like Manulla's Sean Staunton and Mark Basquill, and Ballyglass duo James Regan and Stephen Ring suffered more than others.
Staunton was forced to leave the battlefield after incurring a gash to his head in an accidental clash.
That happened in the cut and thrust of the game. But what happened just before the end was unacceptable and has to be condemned out of hand.
There was a general melee involving a number of players from both sides following an incident which initially flared up between Ballyglass defender Kenny Staunton and Manulla's Damian Ansbro and Kevin Ring.
It did not come to much once the peacemakers moved in, but it still should not have happened.
Castlebar referee Mick Walsh did not book any player following the flare-up and he said afterwards that he would not be reporting the incident to the Connaught Senior League.
Fair enough. But the more such flash-points are tolerated by officials the more they will become commonplace.
Mr. Walsh, one of the game's better referees, will probably accept the incident would not have occurred if he had issued a red card or two earlier.
GUILTY OF MISSING
In a match which struggled to come to terms with the tricky windy conditions, Manulla probably just about deserved their win on the strength of their greater purpose and determination.
But Ballyglass were guilty of missing a number of good opportunities, particularly in the first half.
Paul Connolly, the side's strong midfield figure, should have put Ballyglass in front after twelve minutes. His point blank attempt was parried by Manulla goalkeeper, Rory O'Malley. But Connolly had the chance to make certain of a goal when the ball rebounded to him, but he sliced his effort wide of the target.
Manulla took the lead ten minutes later when the pacey Roger Clarke took advantage of a slip by defender Justin Keady following a clever pass by red-haired Mark Basquill.
With Ballyglass goalkeeper coming off his line to narrow the angle, Clarke kept his composure to place his finish into a corner of the net.
Manulla were enjoying the upperhand at midfield where John Dempsey was clearly dictating the proceedings. However the Manulla defence were inclined to put themselves under pressure by committing elementary mistakes, and Shane Hyland came close to snatching an equaliser before half-time.
Ballyglass dominated the second half for long periods with the wind at their backs. But they lacked the penetration and imagination to break through for an equalising goal. Two good chances fell to Stephen Ring, facing his brother, Kevin, in competitive action for the first time.
But both of the Ballyglass attacker's efforts were dramatically cleared off the goal-line.
Manulla are away to Ballina Town in the next round.
Ballyglass: D. Prendergast, M. Diskin, K. Staunton, J. Keady, C. Burke, P. Connolly, R. Prendergast, J. Fallon, S. Hyland, K. Connolly, S. Ring. Res: J. Regan (for R. Prendergast inj.); M. Vahey (for Hyland); J. Reapy (for Regan).
Manulla: R. O'Malley, B. Cunnaune, S. Staunton, B. Cuffe, D. Ansbro, J. Dempsey, K. Ring, G. Lohan, R. Clarke, J. Clarke, M. Basquill. Res: M. Costello (for S. Staunton inj); T. Healy (for Basquill). Ref: M. Walsh (Castlebar).
* Star Rating: John Dempsey. . .commanding midfield figure.
