*Avenue Utd lost Conor Mullen to injury early in Sunday’s tie. Photograph: John Mangan
Avenue United’s challenge for Munster junior cup honours ended at Roslevan on Sunday when they went down to Villa FC from Waterford who are now through to the quarter finals in both the Munster and FAI Junior Cups.
Avenue United 1
Villa FC (Waterford) 2
Venue: Roslevan
Despite suffering a couple of major blows, the Clare side made the competition favourites fight all the way for victory.
The tie was just over one minute old when Avenue United lost their central defender Conor Mullen with a shoulder injury suffered in a collision with a team mate. Simon Cuddy was called into action as his replacement.
Less than three minutes later they hit the front when Stephen Jordan applied the finish after Elias Kunz beat three defenders before crossing to Jordan.
The visitors got back on terms just after the half way point in the opening half when a corner deflected off Cuddy and crossed the goal line. The sides went to the break on level terms at 1-1.
Early in the second half Avenue were dealt another big blow when they lost full back Jamie Roche to injury and he was replaced by Shane Browne.
What proved to be the winning score came following another corner which found one of the visitor’s midfielders unmarked and he headed to the net.
The Ennis side piled on the pressure and good work by Eoghan Thynne led to Stephen Jordan seeing his effort saved while Elias Kunz had an effort saved by the visitor’s keeper.
With time running out, Avenue pushed forward in search of an equaliser but despite their best efforts, they just could not get the break they needed
Avenue goalie James Tierney made a fine stop ten minutes from time while Avenue substitute Philip Talty’s effort went just over the bar with time running out.
Avenue have little time to reflect on this tie as they are in Clare Cup action this Thursday when they will be hotly fancied to account for Manus B. A win here will see them take on Corofin in the same competition on Sunday and while they will be fancied to win both these games, they cannot take anything for granted.
Avenue United: James Tierney; Cullen McCabe, Conor Tierney, Dylan Casey, Jamie Roche; Stephen Jordan, Eoghan Thynne, Cian McDonagh, Mark Roche; Elias Kunz, Thomas Hehir;
Subs: Simon Cuddy for Mullen (2) (inj); Shane Browne for J. Roche (55) (inj); Mikey Dinan for McDonagh (67); Gary Roche for Hehir (82); Philip Talty for Browne (84).
