Blast from the Past. Bosco's run into Avenue roadblock. January 2004

Blast from the Past. January 2004

Bosco's run into Avenue roadblock and bow out of Munster Cup

Pics 25th Jan 2004

Bosco's Kenneth Kelleher tackles Avenue's Darryl Eade (left).

MUNSTER JUNIOR CUP

St John Bosco’s 0 Avenue United (Clare) 1

(after extra time)


Barry Nugent floated in the extra-time winner as Avenue United advanced in the Lucozade Sport Munster Junior Cup with a hard-earned 1-0 win over St John Bosco's at Knockgriffin on Sunday afternoon. 


Nugget’s effort from the attacking right sailed over keeper Glen Mackessy, stranded by his near post, and found the top corner by the far stick.

Under pressure. Avenue defenders, including Brendan Rochford (centre) on top. 


The game, hard and sporting all through, was marred in the closing minutes. Players and officials and at least one spectator were involved in the sequence that included Bosco's Brendan Forde being sent off, the Bosco's player incensed, claiming that an Avenue player had spat at him.


The first half was tame enough, the sides evenly matched. Bosco's had their share of corners but were nearly caught in the 27th minute. Then Avenue quickly cleared from a corner and Paul Cashman was back to save the day for the Saints.

Bosco's Sean Corcoran goes head to head with Brian Honan (left).


And Avenue came close to scoring in the 45th minute, again after they quickly cleared following a Bosco's throw-in. Mike O’Mahony sent Nugent clear, and the incoming Marino Alonso met his cross from the right, but his volley was soft and no bother to the defence.


Throughout the second half, Bosco's won free after free in midfield and should have scored from the first of them, in the 52nd minute. Forde dropped it into the box, where it broke to Mark Duggan; the former Golden Boot winner let fly, but the visiting keeper made a fantastic save.

Bosco's Sean Corcoran holds off his opponent.


Generally, though, the long-range frees weren’t troubling the Clare defence, though there was an exception in the 73rd minute. The ball broke on the left to Paul Cashman and the Avenue keeper made a very brave save at the feet of the Midleton man.


Avenue had their chances and Nugent regularly figured. In the 80th minute, he should perhaps have scored. An Avenue corner found him unmarked at the far post but he headed over the target.

Bosco's Mark Duggan on the ball as Brian Honan (8) challenges.


In the very next minute, he put severe pressure on outstanding Bosco's defender Fergus Grourke. The Bosco's man kicked the ball backwards just to get it away from the striker. But he put his keeper in trouble and Mackessy did very well indeed to get back and tip the ball over the bar.


Avenue was now having more of the chances, and with four minutes to go, a rocket from the right-hand side of the box by sub-Neil McCarthy whizzed just wide of Mackessey’s far post.

Bosco's Sean Corcoran (left)
and Barry Nugent.


Bosco's had sent on veteran John Boylan in the 66th minute and he set up a great chance in the 89th minute. His low pass found Duggan in the danger area; the striker stayed cool and seemed to have done enough, but again, the Ennis keeper made a fantastic save to take the tie to extra time.


Avenue had the better of the first period of extra time and came close to scoring in the 9th minute. Gary Walsh did well and pulled the ball back to Nugent, but his close-range flick was well saved by Mackessy.


Nugent, though, would have his goal in the 4th minute of the second period, and his soaring shot from the wing had keeper Mackessy stranded by his near post, unable to prevent the ball flying past into the top corner.



Bosco's defender Steve Cahill
 on the ball

St John Bosco’s: Glen Mackessy, Ivan O'Riordan, Steve Cahill, Brendan Foley, Fergus Grourke, Sean Corcoran, John Cody, Paul Cashman, Mark Duggan, Shane McSweeney and Ken Kelleher. Subs used: John Boylan for O'Riordan (66th minute), Eric Costigan for McSweeney (75th) and Paul McCarthy for Cody (85th).

Avenue United: Radu Sulc, Eamonn O’Reilly Gary Walsh, Paul Crowley, Brendan Rochford, Darryl Eade, Marino Alonso, Brian Honan, Barry Nugent, David Monahan and Mike O’Mahony. Subs used: Neil McCarthy for Monahan (70th minute), Edin Glynn for Alonso (71st) and Niall McNevin for O’Reilly (112th minute).

Referee: Damien O'Mahony.


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