This article is from page 77 of the 2011-11-01 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 77 JPG
Avenue United 4 – Burren United 3 (AET) at Lees Road, Ennis
THERE was plenty of entertainment on offer as Avenue United edged past Burren United in a seven-goal thriller at Lees Road on Sunday.
With the sides tied at 3-3 and a penalty shoot out looming, David Smyth produced a fine finish in the dying stages of extra time to win the tie for Avenue.
A rollercoaster game saw Burren take an early 2-1 lead before Avenue drew level before half time. An upset looked on the cards when Chris Maoczek poked home from close range to give Burren the lead midway through the second half. However there was still plenty of fight and football left in Avenue.
David McCarthy completed his hat trick to make it 3-3 with 20 minutes to play. The goal foreshadowed a period of Avenue dominance but the home side were unable to breach Burren’s resilient rearguard action.
But as the game stretched into extra time, Burren appeared to tire as Avenue through the pace and guile of Sean Corry and David Smyth, creating some good chances.
The game began with a flurry of activity with McCarthy giving Avenue an early lead. Burren equalised through Marine Ghiat and then took the lead through Maoczek. Avenue continued to probe for openings with Gary Flynn and Alan Roche exerting their authority in midfield. It looked like Burren might make it to half time in front but Avenue had other ideas. Flynn’s volleyed cross found McCarthy at the back post and he headed home to make it 2-2 despite protests of offside from the Burren defenders.
The visitors enjoyed a bright open- ing to the second half with Pat Nagle and Martin McDonagh taking the game to Avenue’s back four. Burren’s efforts were rewarded when they took lead in the 65th minute. Nagle did well to turn and shoot inside the Avenue area. His initial effort was blocked but the striker managed to force the ball to Maoczek for an easy tap in. Momentum ebbed back to Avenue and the Ennis side duly equalised. A sweeping move from right to left saw Smyth rescue the ball from the end line and tee up McCarthy at the edge of the area. A glorious culmination to fine approach play was provided by McCarthy’s powerful volley. Again Burren felt hard done by, claiming that the ball had crossed the line prior to Smyth’s cross. It was of no concern to Avenue who finally secured the match winner late in extra time. Cuddy’s long ball was headed goalwards by Russell and Smyth raced between two Burren defenders to execute a fine finish.
Avenue United
John Healy, Simon Cuddy, Shane Browne, Mattie Nugent, David Russell, David Smyth, Gary Flynn, Alan Roche, David Herihy, David McCarthy, Mikey Mahony
Subs
Sean Corry for Browne, Darren O’Meara for Mahony
Burren United
Craig Flannagan, LiamKeane, Eric Murrihy, Michael Reddan, Michael Keating,Alex Garcia, Marine Ghiat, Pat Connole, Martin McDonagh, Pat Nagle, Chris Maoczek
Subs
James Droney, James Keating
Referee
Pa Gleeson