*Conor Finnucane accepts the man of the match award from CDSL Vice Chair Ronnie Pyne and Chairman Donal Magee. Photograph: Joe Buckley
TO CAP OFF his first season with Avenue Utd, Conor Finnucane was named man of the match in their extra time Clare Cup final win over Newmarket Celtic.
Having won the Hugh Kelly (League Cup) earlier in the season, Avenue finished the campaign with more silverware when defeating Newmarket Celtic 3-2 after extra time in Saturday’s Ennis Carpets Clare Cup final.
Finnucane joined Avenue Utd from Inch Crusaders who did not affiliate this season. “Look it’s just an unbelievable feeling to be part of the winning team in my first season with the club”, he explained.
Speaking to The Clare Echo after the final whistle, Conor reflected, “It was a crazy game. We went 2-0 up, Newmarket went down to ten men but they are as tough as anything and they came back. For Dylan (Casey) to come up with the winner, I am just delighted”.
Calm heads were needed in their dressing room of Frank Healy Park after allowing Newmarket Celtic score two goals in the closing stages of the second half to force extra time. “It was calm. We knew we had plenty legs for another twenty minutes and we backed ourselves to win the tie”.
Conor continued, “we have huge respect for Newmarket. We know you are not going to get anything easy from them and the fact that we scored three goals today is a fair achievement against that Newmarket defence. I am proud of the boys”.
There is little time to rest for Saturday’s man of the match and he switches codes now to gaelic football and his role with Lissycasey’s senior footballers. “We have a big one next week and I am looking forwards to it”, he said noting that they face Kilmurry-Ibrickane in an important Cusack Cup (senior league) tie on Sunday.
“Next week we have a massive game and hopefully more big games to come in the months ahead. Hopefully we can add a few more trophies”, he concluded before joining his family to celebrate the victory.
