Guinness F.A.I. Junior Cup

Connaught Telegraph

MEMORABLE MANULLA CRUSADE COMES TO AN END




Manulla ............................................................... 1

Moyle Park College .................................................. 2

TOM KELLY. . .AT MANULLA

A memorable Manulla cup crusade is over.

The club's hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of the Guinness F.A.I. Junior Cup for the first time ended on Sunday when they succumbed to the spirited second half challenge of Moyle Park College.

But Manulla were left to bemoan a series of missed opportunities in the opening half which ultimately cost them the game. During the period, with a stiff wind at their backs, they produced some of their most adventurous attacking play of a season which is now into its tenth month for the Central Mayo side.

The fact they ended the half with just a single goal to their credit was always likely to prove their undoing in the circumstances, and that was exactly what happened.

The Manulla goal, when it came, was brilliantly executed. Gerry Jennings, a threatening figure down the right flank from the beginning, cut inside in the 22nd minute to dispatch the ball expertly into the far corner of the net. It was no more than Manulla deserved after dominating the game from the outset. The wonder was it took so long in coming. Barry Cuffe, making his debut in place of the injured Damian Ansbro, almost experienced a fairytale start with a close range shot which dipped inches over the crossbar after just six minutes.

Manulla were never reluctant to shoot on sight when the opportunity presented itself, a policy which could easily have yielded them an early goal. Michael Costello, who scored from long range in the side's Robert Kilkelly Cup final victory over Achill Rovers a number of months ago, caused a real share in the College defence with an effort drilled from over 30 yards. It was Jackie Barrett, however, who went closest to registering a sensational strike. His powerfully executed drive from 40 yards had goalkeeper Shane Kennedy in all kinds of trouble, but the ball screamed wide of a post.

Full of confidence and conviction, Manulla kept pushing forward and their reward came when Jennings, a player with the ability to shine on the big occasion, hit a peach of a goal following good work at midfield by Costello and Staunton.

Manulla, realising they needed a second goal before half-time to be in with a real chance of causing another cup upset, maintained the pressure. They forced a number of corner-kicks in quick succession as Moyle Park College mounted a desperate rearguard action.

A second goal appeared to be have been served on a proverbial gold plate for Gareth Golding, Manulla's prolific marksman. But his shot on the turn in the 33rd minute was spectacularly saved by goalkeeper Kennedy.

UNDER PRESSURE

Manulla were clearly under pressure from the beginning of the second half, but they more than coped with the best that College could throw at them.

It was not until the introduction, within a relatively short time of one another, of substitutes Paul McCarthy and Cormac Shields that the match began to turn in the Dublin side's favour. McCarthy, wearing No. 15 on his back, scored the equalising goal in the 62nd minute.

Peter O'Hanlon and Dermot O'Loughlin had been gaining the upper hand for College at midfield, and they were instrumental in creating the clear opening for McCarthy. The goal which killed off Manulla came twelve minutes from the end. A sweet delivery from the right by Myles Keogh was headed into the net by Cormac Shields.

Manulla, to their credit, did not let their heads drop. They went all out in search of an equaliser and Michael Costello, put through down the left side, was unlucky not to have forced the match into extra-time. His ferocious shot was stopped by heroic College goalkeeper Shane Kennedy who, despite failing to hold the ball, managed to scramble the it away to one of his defenders.

In the end, Manulla went out with a sense of pride and passion. But their overall lack of physical strength came against them when the going got really tough in the second half.

Manulla:

R. O'Malley, B. Cunnaune, K. McDonnell, T. Healy, B. Cuffe, S. Staunton, M. Costello, J. Barrett, A. Rumley, G. Golding, G. Jennings.

Res: D. Dempsey (for Cunnaune.).

Moyle Park College:

S. Kennedy, D. Flood, D. Kelly, M. Reynolds, D. Mills, D. Burns, P. O'Hanlon, D. O'Loughlin, S. Kelly, M. Keogh, N. Byrne.

Res: P. McCarthy (for Burns); E. Shields (for S. Kelly); C. Shields (for O'Loughlin).

Ref: J. Cawley (Ballina).

* Star Rating: Peter O'Hanlon. . .key midfield performance.



Connaught Telegraph - News - February 1996

Connaught Telegraph - Sport - February 1996