*Avenue Utd vice captain Jamie Roche accepts the Hugh Kelly Cup from CDSL Treasurer, Frank Gormley. Photograph: Joe Buckley
AVENUE UTD have claimed the first silverware of the Clare soccer season, taking the Hugh Kelly Cup from Bridge Utd.
Avenue Utd 4
Bridge Utd 2
Venue: Frank Healy Park, Doora
Five days on from exiting the Munster Junior Cup at the hands of Bridge Utd, it was a case of facing the same opposition but producing a different outcome for Avenue Utd.
After losing the last two Hugh Kelly Cup finals to Newmarket Celtic and Bridge Utd, both on penalties, Avenue Utd got their business done in normal time to get their hands on the League Cup.
It is the first piece of silverware won by the Roslevan based club under new manager Adrian Walsh.
Following the disappointment of exiting the Munster Junior Cup last weekend, a competition that they have been eyeing up with interest and expectation over the past four seasons, Avenue needed to win this game more than Bridge Utd, not so much for the trophy but to provide some confidence, assurance and to get them back on solid footing as they bid to retain their Premier Division title.
In an entertaining opening half, there was five goals for the dedicated but small cohort of supporters to enjoy, the pick of them an outstanding strike from the left boot of Nnabuike Nneji to open the scoring on twenty six minutes. In what was his first start in over a month following a hamstring injury, Nna was one of three additions to their starting team, Ryan Corcoran and Seán O’Callaghan also in the first eleven.
Before the deadlock was broken, it was Bridge Utd who threatened most. They had three offsides in the first fifteen minutes while a tackle by O’Callaghan on Witness Odirile which resulted in him picking up a yellow card was labelled as “scandalous” by the vocal members of the Bridge dugout.
Another off-timed challenge saw referee Michael Rock hit the deck after a collision with Eoghan Thynne.
Within the first fifteen minutes of the tie, Avenue had two big chances. An excellent pass from Conor Finnucane put Ryan Corcoran through but his shot was saved by John Mulready. Corcoran beat Scott Kirkland for pace in the next attack but was only denied by the crossbar.
Having spotted Mulready was off his line, Nna pulled the trigger from considerable distance with a wonderful strike to the delight of Avenue’s supporters. They had a goal moments previously but Ger Myles was deemed to be offside.
A second goal for Avenue arrived on thirty two minutes. After Thynne and Finnucane linked up with Corcoran, his shot was deflected out for a corner. The resulting corner was headed in at the front post with Myles appearing to get the final touch.
As they returned to the halfway line, Myles urged his teammates for there to be “no let up” but the opposite ensued with Bridge Utd getting back on level terms within four minutes.
Winger Kyle Kirby with a jumping header saw them pull the first goal back. Filip Mostowy played the ball to Jack O’Halloran who flicked the ball across goal to the head of Kirby.
Their equaliser arrived via Caleb Lategan. Adam Fitzpatrick showed determination to win the ball off Myles, then Jack O’Halloran made a bursting run up the left flank, he passed the ball across goal and the striker was on hand to tap to the net.
Bridge had a glorious chance to go in front before half time when they pounced on a counter-attack when Conor Hehir gave the ball away, Witness Odirile fed Mostowy, he rounded Avenue netminder Kuba Ruminowicz but suddenly stopped with the ball and with it a tremendous chance slipped through their fingers.
There was no reluctance at the other end as Avenue regained the lead in additional time. Dylan Casey played an excellent pass to Jack Ryan, he had a strong shot but it was saved by Mulready, instead of clearing the ball, Bridge’s defence put the ball straight into the path of Ryan Corcoran who made no mistake to make it 3-2 at half time.
Less excitement on the scoring front featured in the second half but there was still chances to alter the result. Arguably the best fell to Bridge substitute Dean Neary when he only had Kuba to beat but he failed to control the ball and another big chance was not taken by the defending Hugh Kelly Cup champions.
Additional time again saw Avenue strike for goal. As the ball broke from a Bridge corner, Ryan Mahony let fly on the ball from inside his own halfway line, with Mulready gone up field to try get a touch on the corner, there was an empty net, neither Scott Kirkland or Eoghan Thynne were able to get a touch to the ball to ensure Mahony took the credit for the finish.
CDSL Treasurer Frank Gormley presented the Hugh Kelly Cup to Avenue Utd vice captain Jamie Roche following the game.
Further success followed for Avenue when Gary Roche scored two goals for their B side to overcome Coole FC 2-0 in the Second Division League Cup final.
Avenue Utd: Kuba Ruminwicz, Gary O’Connell, Seán O’Callaghan, Dylan Casey, Jamie Roche; Eoghan Thynne; Nnabuike Nneji; Conor Finnucane, Ryan Corcoran, Jack Ryan; Ger Myles.
Subs: Conor Hehir for O’Connell (22), Ronan Kerin for Roche (52) (inj), Ryan Mahony for Corcoran (80), Ryan McCarthy for Ryan (88).
Bridge Utd: John Mulready; Scott Kirkland, Liam Buckley, Liam Flynn; Aidan Moloney; Adam Fitzpatrick, Kyle Kirby, Witness Odirile, Jack O’Halloran, Filip Mostowy, Caleb Lategan.
Subs: Alex Gladysz for Odirile (58), Dean Neary for Lategan (63), Darragh Whyte for Fitzpatrick (74), Brian Corry for Kirby (85).
Referee: Michael Rock
