Connaught CUP (Fourth Round)
Manulla leave Celtic completely stranded
Strand Celtic ................... 1Manulla ................................ 3
TOM KELLY. . .AT STRANDHILL
Manulla are back on the cup trail.
They booked their place in the quarter final of the Connaught Cup against Abbey United with an emphatic victory over Strand Celtic on Sunday.
The Central Mayo club were forced to come from behind before bringing Celtic crashing to their knees with two goals by Alan Rumley and a third from Gareth Golding, the side's leading scorer.
The performance clearly underlined Manulla's credentials as strong contenders for the provincial title they have never won. A key factor in accomplishing the win over the top Sligo outfit was the side's electrifying pace when they pressed forward. The Celtic defence, backboned by seasoned players in the calibre of former Sligo Rovers stars John Skeffington and Enda Scanlon, was exposed every time Manulla attacked with speed and purpose.
Gerry Jennings, who rotated between both flanks, was instrumental in causing Strand endless problems, while Alan Rumley's penchant for finding space led to him scoring two of the most memorable goals of his young career. Gareth Golding, too, had a magnificent match. He set up the side's opening two goals before helping himself to the third.
But Manulla's outstanding personality on this occasion was dynamic midfielder Sean Staunton. His tackling, covering, running and battling qualities were of the highest order. Yet matters were looking far from rosy for Manulla when they fell behind to a cracking Niall Harrison goal after 24 minutes.
The former Sligo Rovers ace, operating in the pivotal midfield role, was Celtic's most threatening figure in the opening stages. He delivered on his pedigree when he struck a magnificent drive from twenty-five yards which left Manulla goalkeeper Rory O'Malley with no chance. Strand, full of confidence and passing the ball around sweetly, almost increased the margin within six minutes. But a tremendously brave tackle by Manulla central defender Damian Ansbro, back in action following injury, denied Harrison his second goal.
Both players were clearly not the better of their goalmouth collision for some time afterwards, with Harrison drifting out of the game completely in the second half.
RARE COURAGE
Ansbro's display of rare courage proved inspirational for Manulla, and they were back on level terms in the 34th minute. A free-kick on the right by Michael Costello was skilfully headed down by Ansbro to the feet of Golding. The Balla-based striker knocked the ball inside to the unmarked Alan Rumley who volleyed it cleanly into the net.Golding went close to giving Manulla the lead just before half-time when he chipped the goalkeeper, Stephen Rooney, with a cheeky lob. But defender Richard Barry came to Celtic's rescue by heading the ball wide of the post.
Manulla kept the momentum going early in the second half and got their reward after a quarter of an hour. A long kick-out by O'Malley found the head of Golding who nodded the ball perfectly into Rumley's path. The talented Rumley caught the goalkeeper off his line with a brilliantly lobbed effort.
Golding wrapped up the game for Manulla when he finished off the best move of the game in the 71st minute. A timely delivery by Michael Costello opened up significant space for Sean Staunton down the right side. With the Celtic defence virtually all at sea, Staunton released the ball to Gerry Jennings who unselfishly passed to the unmarked Golding at the far post.
It was as well worked a goal as Manulla had scored all season. So much so, in fact, Manulla were unlucky not to have scored at least another two goals before the end.
Strand Celtic were rattled and their frustration surfaced when two of their players, John Skeffington and Eric Giton, threw punches at each other following the final whistle.
In any event, the game had been a knock-out win for Manulla!
Strand Celtic: S. Rooney, J. Skeffington, T. Melly, E. Scanlon, R. Barry, P. Harte, J. Colreavy, N. Harrison, D. Oates, D. Lynch, P. O'Donnell.
Res: A. Burke (for O'Donnell); E. Giton (for Colreavy).
Manulla: R. O'Malley, B. Cunnaune, K. McDonnell, D. Ansbro, T. Healy, G. Jennings, J. Rumley, M. Costello, S. Staunton, A. Rumley, G. Golding.
Res: D. Dempsey (for Costello).
Ref: T. Higgins (Sligo).
* Star Rating: Sean Staunton. . .dynamic midfield performance.
Connaught Telegraph - News - February 1996
Connaught Telegraph - Sport - February 1996
