MacDara 3-4 Kinvara United - Saturday 26th March 2022
Kinvara United U14s travelled to An Ceathrú Rua to play the semi-final of the Div 2 league Cup against Mac Dara on Saturday, 26 March. Within a minute of kick-off, through a neat interplay between Eli Huban and Luke Marchant, a great strike from the corner of the box by Eli put Kinvara 0-1 up. Mac Dara played their way into the game and had a number of dangerous attacks. Goalkeeper Lorcan Ward pulled off a couple of great saves to keep Kinvara on top. Kinvara reasserted their dominance. James Allen and Eli came close to extending Kinvara’s lead. On 20 minutes captain, Róan Cassidy Ó Máirtín and Pierce Waterhouse played a clever short corner resulting in Róan cross flashing narrowly wide.
On 23 minutes Mac Dara won the ball in midfield and their counter attack ended in a fine strike putting the teams level, 1-1. Two minutes later Eli showed great skill and composure to flick the ball over the Mac Dara defender and volley the ball in to the back of the net. A great goal to answer Mac Dara’s attack and reclaim a 2-1 lead and Kinvara finished the half strongly with Róan coming close to scoring from a long range shot.
Kinvara came under pressure early in the second half and Mac Dara drew level from a well delivered corner kick to make it 2-2. Throughout the half Luke, Charlie Forde and Adam Hammer drove at Mac Dara from the wings causing real problems aided by some well executed passes by Jake MacMahon who also had another strong performance at the back. 12 minutes in Pierce delivered a corner that Mac Dara’s keeper couldn’t hold to, Róan was the quickest to react and put Kinvara back on top, 2-3!
An unfortunate mix up at the back lead to Mac Dara’s third goal with 10 minutes remaining to level the game at 3-3. Evan Canning who had an excellent game at the back was fouled and picked up an injury that forced him out 5 minutes later. Shortly after, Samuel O’Donoghue went off injured after a collision in the box. Both players put in a colossal effort and their teammates were sorry to see them have to come off with extra time looming.
Neither team could find a winner in normal time so extra time beckoned. The first half of extra time finished scoreless although there was great effort and energy shown. Shane Talty worked tirelessly making great interceptions and passing the ball intelligently. In the second half of extra time, Kinvara finally found a winner with six minutes to go. Isaac Warrick who played outstanding at centre-mid, beat two defenders on the end line and drove the ball past the keeper at the near post to make it 3-4. Shortly after Eli ran onto a through ball and forced the keeper into a great save. Mac Dara found it very hard to contain Eli who was a real threat to them throughout the game.
We’ll welcome MacDara to Killina for our next league match on 9 April 12:30 KO. It is bound to be another riveting encounter. Next up in this competition is the Cup Final vs Maree/Oranmore B, date TBC.
Kinvara Utd: Lorcan Ward, Jake MacMahon, Evan Canning, Charlie Forde, Luke Marchant, Pearse Waterhouse, Adam Hammer, Issac Warrick, Róan Cassidy Ó'Máirtín (c), Eli Huban, James Allen, Samuel O'Donoghue, Shane Talty.
Management: Pádraig Ó Máirtín, Paul Canning and Damien Forde
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