AIT outclassed despite Harney’s early cracker
Haverty goal sets up emphatic victory for IT Carlow
IT CARLOW 5
ATHLONE IT 1
Daire Walsh
Despite a very promising start to the contest, Athlone IT ultimately came off second best in Frank Cooke Park on Tuesday evening, as IT Carlow secured the CUFL Premier Division title in comprehensive fashion at Tolka Rovers’ Griffith Avenue-based complex.
There was plenty of evidence during the opening half-hour to suggest that Mickey O’Connor’s men might well come out on top against the Paul O’Reilly-managed Carlow but, with a whole host of League Of Ireland players in their side, Carlow had more than enough in their artillery to see off an overwhelmed AIT.
Things could have worked out completely differently though as, with just three minutes gone, Athlone IT took the lead when Bohemians defender Neil Harney brilliantly curled a 25-yard free-kick past his club-mate Craig Sexton from a tight angle on the left. The execution was inch perfect from Harney, and it gave Athlone an excellent platform to build on.
Carlow were somewhat shell-shocked to fall behind so early on, but they eventually regained their composure, and had their first opportunity of the game 14 minutes in when Tom Elmes lashed over on the half-volley following a terrific cross-field pass from full-back Daniel Ledwith. This would spark the beginning of a decent spell from Carlow, who were starting to dominate possession more and more as the half wore on.
Athlone, on the other hand, were finding it hard to get their front men involved in the action, and were having to contend with two very pacy wingers in the form of Adam Hanlon and Ben Ryan. They were dealing extremely well defensively, however, with both Harney and Kevin Dunne providing plenty of leadership whenever Carlow threatened their goal.
Yet, just when it looked like they were coming to terms with the Carlow attack, they were hit by a sucker punch after 32 minutes, as midfielder Ray Foy was on hand to provide the finishing touches to an Elmes cross from the right.
This acted as a major confidence booster for Carlow, and they went desperately close to taking the lead three minutes later, when Barry O’Mahony’s drive from all of 30 yards came crashing off the Athlone crossbar, with Bernard Power beaten all ends up.
That being said, his opposite number Danny Turano (of Italy’s AC Rivoli) also hit the woodwork with a long-range effort with a minute of normal time remaining. On balance, 1-1 was probably a fair reflection on the way the game had panned out during the opening period.
There was still a feeling that Carlow might be able to step up an extra gear after the re-start, as they were starting to come into their own towards the end of the first half. They managed to maintain this momentum upon the resumption, and they took the lead just three minutes into the second period when O’Mahony drilled home from the edge of the box after an incisive lay-off by the industrious Elmes.
Having executed a fine defensive game-plan for much of the opening 45 minutes, Athlone suddenly found themselves having to chase the game, and they sought to address this situation by introducing Spain’s Francisco Gomez on 54 minutes.
However, just four minutes later, Carlow struck or what would prove to be the decisive score of the contest as Longford Town star Noel Haverty finished to the net from a corner. Haverty’s goal further deflated the Athlone challenge, and though they did their utmost to force their way back into the game (with substitutes Andrea Balestra and James Morrissey providing some much-needed fresh legs upon their introduction), they were finding it difficult to create clear-cut chances against a stern Carlow rearguard.
It was Carlow’s Gary Shaw who would have the biggest impact off the bench, though, as the former Bray Wanderers man finished coolly past Power from a tight angle, with 20 minutes remaining, for his side’s fourth goal.
This effectively put the final beyond any doubt, and even though Harney, Dunne and Daniel Cunningham were doing their level best to try and address the slide, Athlone were simply coming off second best on a night when they were badly missing the services of injured local lad Stephen Relihan.
IT Carlow, on the other hand, were still creating chances at will, and eventually registered their fifth goal with eight minutes remaining, as O’Mahony’s shot from outside the area was deflected to the Athlone net for his second goal.
This would prove to be the last meaningful action of the game, as IT Carlow cruised to victory in the end, much to the delight of their vociferous travelling support who, along with the Athlone contingent, contributed handsomely to an excellent atmosphere on the night.
IT Carlow ultimately went home the happier of the two sides, however, and on the basis of this game, have a number of players at their disposal who will have big futures in the Airtricity League. AIT can still take great heart from the way that they have performed this season, though, and they have a considerable platform to build on as they look forward to next year’s campaign.
IT Carlow: Craig Sexton; Noel Haverty, Jamie Carr, James Scallan, Daniel Ledwith; Adam Hanlon (Karl Keogh 90), Craig Wall (Arminas Balevicius 86), Ray Foy (Aaron Humphries 74), Ben Ryan (Chris Kerr 83); Barry O’Mahony, Tom Elmes (Gary Shaw 62).
Subs not used: Michael Schlingermann, Ross Kenny.
ATHLONE IT: Bernard Power; James Furlong (Richard Alade 80), Neil Harney, Kevin Dunne, Adrian Torres (James Morrissey 63); Flavio Squillante, Aidan Reilly (Andrea Balestra 63), Daniel Cunningham, David Kelly (Francisco Gomez 54); Enda Morris, Danny Turano.
Subs not used: Dean Clarke, Gary Martin, Khalafi Mehdi.
REFEREE: Tony McGuinness.
IN A NUTSHELL
TURNING POINT
Having taken the lead so early, Athlone IT did start to apply a cautious approach, which was working quite well during the opening half-hour, as IT Carlow were finding it hard to create many clear-cut openings on goal. However, Carlow finally achieved the breakthrough they so badly craved on 32 minutes, as midfielder Ray Foy shot past Bernard Power from inside the area, meaning that they were able to work from a clean slate at the start of the second half.
Talking Point
The biggest pity for Athlone IT on the night was the fact that they couldn’t build on Neil Harney third minute opener, though Danny Turano was extremely unfortunate to see his effort canon off the crossbar. In the end, the absence of Stephen Relihan did come against Athlone, as his drive and creativity from the middle of the park would have posed different questions for Paul O’Reilly’s side, who were always in control in that sector.
Man of the Match
Neil Harney (Athlone IT)
IT Carlow had a number of star performers in Frank Cooke Park last Tuesday, with goalscorers Ray Foy, Noel Haverty, Gary Shaw and Barry O’Mahony (who struck twice in the second half) all make massive contributions. Despite the final scoreline, a host of Athlone players also put in good shifts, such as Athlone Town defender Kevin Dunne, the flamboyant Flavio Squillante and Daniel Cunningham. However, their best performer, by some distance, was former St Patrick’s Athletic man Neil Harney who, apart from his cracking early free-kick, was in impressive form throughout.