This article is from page 115 of the 2009-02-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 115 JPG
COROFIN Harps secured a place in the third round of the Clare Cup with a victory that was in no way as easy as the final score line suggests.
Turnpike Rovers, to an extent, were authors of their own misfortune giv- ing away two own goals before suc- cumbing to two sharply taken Noel Mullane goals. Mullane’s pair of late strikes summed up the major dif- ference between the sides on Sun- day; Corofin made the most of their chances; Turnpike blew theirs.
In an open and exciting encounter at Lees Road, Harps took the lead after 14 minutes before Pike equalised.
The remainder of the first half flared out in a series of wasted goal chances, with both sides equally cul- pable.
Pike’s profligacy was to prove the costher. After Andy Hayes inadvert-
edly became the second Pike player to put through his own net in the 58th minute, Corofin went for the kill.
The Harps line-up had a familiar look to it with one exception as cen- tre forward Gavin Dinan stepped in as emergency goalkeeper. Dinan ac- quitted himself well. The highlight undoubtedly being his 76th minute penalty save from James Ferns.
It was Dinan’s opposite number, Marty Whelan who was first to be tested with the Turnpike goalie get- ting down smartly to stop Mullane in the 4th minute.
Pike’s best chance of the opening quarter arrived in the 10th minute When Thomas Cronin’s shot was cleared of the line. Corofin took the lead soon after. John Keane whipped a low cross from the right that came of Eric Hayes and into the net.
Pike were level by the 20th minute. Donnacha Hassett’s cross from the
left was touched on by Cronin to the unmarked Stephen Burns at the back post. Cool as you like, Burns curled a low shot past Dinan to make it 1-1. Both sides had opportunities to take the lead before the break.
Cronin missed a glorious chance when he chipped inches wide in the 39th minute before Mullane and Ja- son Tierney combined for Keane to blast over from ten yards on half mnealee
Harps regained the lead shortly af- ter when Brian Halipn’s fizzed low free kick clipped Andy Hayes and trickled to the net.
Corofin’s lead was almost wiped out minutes later when Andy Hayes touched Cronin’s drive over the bar.
Mullane put daylight between the sides when he swept home in the Sede maenselbicon
Two minutes later Mullane bur- ied Corofin’s fourth goal and with it
Turnpike’s chances. Dinan kept out Fern’s penalty as the champions of 2005 and 2006 advance into familiar territory.
The Harps could be on the move ey lerem an leyue