*Steven McGann celebrates scoring the winning goal in extra time. Photograph: Joe Buckley
Avenue United and Steven McGann produced a remarkable final five minutes in extra time in this Clare Cup semi-final at Frank Healy Park this Saturday evening.
Avenue United 2
Bridge United 1
Venue: Frank Healy Park, Doora
(after extra time)
Trailing to Bridge United with just under five minutes remaining in the second half of extra time, it looked like the title holders were on their way out of the competition at the penultimate stage.
Jack O’Halloran’s goal to break the deadlock came five minutes into the first period of extra time.
With the game going into the second half of the additional time, few in the attendance could have predicted the turn this tie was about to take.
Four minutes into this half Bridge looked set to double their advantage as Brian Corry was hauled down in the area and referee Pat Gleeson pointed to the spot only to see that his linesman Brian Punch was waving his flag to signal offside.
From the resultant free Avenue attacked ad Leon Kelly was adjudged to have fouled Nnabuike Nneji in the opposing area and the match official pointed to the spot.
Up stepped Steven McGann and he duly fired the ball to the corner of the net. Suddenly attention switched and now the talk was about a penalty shoot out
A minute of the extra time was still to play when avenue won a corner. Substitute Philip Talty’s effort was finished to the net by McGann, clearing the way for the final many had predicted since the semi-final draw took place, another meeting of Avenue and Newmarket Celtic.
It was heartbreaking for Bridge United who, in normal time, had claims for two penalties turned down while Avenue United Luke Woodrow had denied them on a number of occasions with some excellent stops.
Midway through the opening half Alan Mulready cleared off his own line after the ball had deflected of his brother’s Lee body and looked to be heading over the goal line.
At the other end Woodrow saved from Aidan Moloney before John Mulready turned an Avenue effort onto the crossbar. Shortly before half time Alan Mulready looked to have been fouled in the area but the match officials didn’t agree and play continued.
The third quarter saw both sides threaten but as the game wore on, extra time became more likely. Substitutes Brian Corry and Kyle Kirby for Bridge, Mark Roche and Philip Talty for the holders ensured that the defences were kept busy.
Woodrow came to Avenue’s rescue when producing a good save from Ronan Tuohy with eight minutes remaining but the sides were still scoreless after the regulation ninety minutes were over.
The deadlock was finally broken five minutes into the first period of additional time when Jack O’Halloran found the net following a clearance from John Mulready. However dreams of moving a step closer to a first cup success since 1984 were dashed in those hectic final five minutes.
Avenue United: Luke Woodrow; Cullen McCabe, Conor Hehir, Conor Mullen, Dylan Casey; Eoghan Thynne, Jamie Roche, Nnabuike Nneji, Ronan Kerin, Steven McGann, Thomas Hehir;
Subs: Mark Roche for R. Kerin (58); Philip Talty for C. Hehir (76);
Bridge United: John Mulready; Christy Griffin, Luke Fitzpatrick, Alan Mulready, Liam Flynn; Leon Kelly, Jack O’Halloran, Liam Buckley, Ronan Tuohy Aidan Moloney, Lee Mulready;
Subs; Brian Corry for A. Moloney (57); Kyle Kirby for L. Mulready (80); Conor Deasy for Buckley (101); Eoin Keenan for L. Kelly (107); Trevor Maxwell for L. Flynn (110)
Referee: Pat Gleeson
Linesmen: Brian Punch and Michael Rock
