This article is from page 63 of the 2011-05-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 63 JPG
IT was stormy, at times bad tempered but nearly always predictable. A gale blasted across the County Grounds and the teams both finished with ten men after the second half dismissals of David Smyth and Dominic Murphy.
Such turbulence can often create the conditions for an upset, especially on cup final day.
But not here. Enjoying a near monopoly of possession ensured that Avenue United were always the more likely to retain the trophy they won against the same opponents last year. It wasn’t quite the clinical performance of 2010 but it was enough.
The disruptive force of the wind and the bloody-minded defiance of Bridge goalkeeper Barry Deasy and centre back Albert Finnin mitigated against making this a stroll in the park for Avenue.
But while Bridge battled gamely they lacked the wit and invention to create problems for their opponents. Avenue suffered no such deficiencies. David McCarthy sparkled in midfield, crafting and expertly dispatching his side’s crucial first goal.
Making it to half time just a goal behind represented a victory of sorts for Bridge. Avenue, having started with three at the back, reverted to a more orthodox 4-4-2 after the break.
Bridge committed Jamie O’Gorman further forward in support of the hard working Gavin Downes. Alan Mulready looked capable of unlocking Avenue’s tightly marshalled defence. When Smyth was sent off you sensed this was Bridge’s opportunity. The moment passed as soon as Dominic Murphy grounded Mickey Mahoney. Avenue immediately got back to business. Wilson’s measured delivery found the unmarked Con Collins. The former Bunratty man headed to the top corner. Lights out. Game over.
Mahoney was replaced soon after but he was prominent throughout. Not quite the goal threat of his match winning turn in the 2007 cup final but a more rounded danger, running with the ball from deep. The Smyth brothers, Colin and David, continue to impress. The flicks and trick apart the pair, watched by father and Avenue coach Coley, caught the eye mainly for their ability to make the game look easy. The Galway born brothers weren’t the only products of Avenue’s schoolboy talent factory to get a look in. Irish international Dylan Casey, Jack Walshe and Alan Roche also got a chance to savour the feeling of a cup winning moment. With such well coached, grounded and skillful footballers teeming through their ranks, you wouldn’t back against Avenue making it three in a row next year.