Avondale advance in the FAI Cup
FAI FORD CUP
By Daire Walsh
COLLINSTOWN FC……………………………………….. 0
AVONDALE UNITED……………………………………… 2
FIRST-HALF goals from Ian Stapleton and Brian Fitzgerald were essential at Collinstown Park Community College yesterday afternoon, as Avondale United progressed to the third round of the FAI Ford Cup with a much-deserved triumph over Collinstown FC.
A firm strike from close-range by Collinstown front-man Anthony McCormack had left Jason Green stranded, only for the woodwork to come to the rescue of the Avondale net-minder.
This was certainly a major let-off for John Ryan’s charges, but with Greg Kelly and Roy Long starting to make an impression in their respective wing-back roles, they subsequently broke the deadlock after 14 minutes of play.
The move for this opening goal was instigated by excellent work on the left-flank by the marauding Kelly, and with the aid of a Collinstown deflection, his perfectly-weighted pull-back was fired home by the incisive Stapleton.
This was a major psychological boost for the visitors, and even though Collinstown occasionally posed a threat in the final-third as the half wore on, Avondale were starting to control the tempo of the play.
Stapleton and debutant Steven Barrett had quick-fire efforts cleared off the line during a goalmouth scramble, before Avondale finally doubled their advantage with six first-half minutes remaining.
An excellent set-piece delivery from midfielder Kenny Murphy was the catalyst for this goal, with a thumping header by centre-half Fitzgerald (who was later named the FAI Ford Man of the Match) finding its way past the helpless Ross Costigan.
With two goals separating the teams at the break, Avondale were now pole position to book their place in the last-16, and even though they lost captain Michael Mulconroy to injury 12 minutes after the restart, they continued to dominate the proceedings.
Green needed to be alert to deny Gareth Brogan a clear sight at goal on 64 minutes, but Stapleton and the excellent Roy Long (who had taken up a central role in a re-shuffled Avondale attack) both went close at the other end.
The hosts introduced Michael Scully, Michael Griffin and Paul Dunphy to the action in an effort to breathe fresh life into the tie, but Avondale ensured that a dramatic fightback never materialised. Clarke’s stoppage-time header for the LSL side was cleared off the line, and that was the closest that the Metropolitans came to a consolation.
COLLINSTOWN FC: Ross Costigan; Jamie Goonery (Michael Scully 61), David Duffy, Damian Cuffe, Kenneth Flood; Ian McNeill, Daniel Matthews (Paul Dunphy 73), Dylan Clarke, Dean Carpenter; Anthony McCormack (Michael Griffin 66), Gareth Brogan.
Subs not used: David Clancy, John Mills.
AVONDALE UNITED: Jason Green; Michael Mulconroy (Kevin Mullane 57), Brian Fitzgerald, Steven Barrett; Roy Long (Jason Murphy 90), Brian Murphy, Graham McCarthy, Kenny Murphy, Greg Kelly; Ian Stapleton, Danny Long.
Subs not used: Brian Lyons, Dave O’Keeffe.
Referee: Rhona Daly (Roscommon).