Ryan is hoping for a glamour cup tie
FAI CUP SOCCER
By Daire Walsh
AT least one Cork club will compete in the third round of the FAI Ford Cup, after Avondale United registered a 2-0 success over Collinstown FC of the Leinster Senior League.
Goals in the opening half from Ian Stapleton and Brian Fitzgerald helped secure a place in the last-16 for the six-time FAI Intermediate Cup holders, and considering the list of absentees he had to contend with, Avondale manager John Ryan was delighted with the application of his side.
“Yeah, happy enough (with the win). As you could probably see, our squad was depleted today. We were short seven. We had a few junior lads playing, and they really stepped up to the mark,” Ryan said.
“I’m delighted with them, because Collinstown gave us a really tough game. They could have gone 1-0 up earlier on, and they had a few chances in the second half. (It was) a decent side we beat today.”
The woodwork had come to the rescue of Avondale seven minutes in, when Collinstown striker Anthony McCormack looked set to break the deadlock, but the always-influential Stapleton eventually capitalised with a deflected 14th-minute finish.
This opener helped to take the sting out of the Collinstown challenge and Ryan felt that Fitzgerald’s second just six minutes before the break had a significant bearing on the final outcome.
“Of course (it was significant) because it changes the whole complexity of the game. You come in at half-time and you see what the score is. You’re 2-0 up. Grand. What’s important, you have to get your shape. They’re going to come at us. It was really important getting that second.”
With two wins under their belt, Avondale will be hoping that they can extend their run in the League of Ireland’s premier cup competition.
However, although they could face junior opposition for the third time in succession, Ryan would be equally content with a glamour tie against top-tier opponents.
“I was looking at the draw there, and there’s going to be four junior teams through to the next round. Who knows, if we get one of those, you might get into the quarter-final then.
“But we would love a Cork City match, or a Shamrock Rovers at home would be great. That’s the glamour. Just the amateur stepping up against the pros. That’s what it’s all about isn’t it?” Ryan added.