Kinvara United 4-1 Bearna na Forbacha
United looked to put their poor league form behind them with a welcome distraction of a cup match at Connolly Park today.
United’s line-up saw Cathal Corless in nets. Kinvara played with 3 centre backs comprising of Dylan Corcoran, Conor Murphy and Lorcan Heavey, the latter playing there for the first time. The 2 holding midfielders were Padraig Pearl and Adam Noone. Wing backs Shane Cassidy and Aran Waterhouse would provide width. In the attacking midfield roles, Cormac Ivers and Oisin Keegan lined out. Solitary striking duties fell to Jason Carr. Subs were David McWilliams, Joe Corless and Mark Costello.
Barna stared the quicker and scored within 10 mins of the kick off. A loose pass in midfield caught United pushing forward and the counterattack from Barna was precise. They worked the ball quickly to the left of the United defence and a curling shot then found the top corner, Corless in goal had no chance.
While Kinvara have been improving recently and adapting to star striker Andy Horan signing for Galway United (club and players couldn’t be prouder of Andy!) they needed a little luck. That break came when marauding wing back Cassidy found himself with a shooting opportunity mid-way through the half. His shot was tame, but the unfortunate Barna keeper spilled the ball and it found the net.
Kinvara then went ahead quickly after. A good touch and pass from Keegan found Noone moving forward from deep. His shot hit sweetly into the far corner of the net.
Carr upfront put in a great shift but was possibly starved of the ball in areas he could do damage. Both teams had chances in the reminder of the half, but defences were on top until half time.
Costello came in the fray for Carr at half time. The reshuffle saw Waterhouse go up top and Costello go to wing back on the left side.
Kinvara's back 3 were looking solid with Murphy and Corcoran dealing with everything asked and Heavey was having an outstanding game. His passing and calmness at the back giving United a foundation to build on. Waterhouse was proving a tricky customer with some sharp turns and forward passing. Pearl in the centre was having his usual fine game, his tackling and passing all you want from a player in the centre of the park. Keegan playing in a new position was also doing well, this touch and calmness on the ball a major assist in the forward areas.
United's 3rd goal was from a familiar source. Ivers, who is a dead ball specialised sent in a powerful corner with his left causing havoc in the Barna back line. The pace and swerve applied seen the ball avoid everyone and fly into the net. 3-1!
Kinvara's last goal saw wing back Costello fire in from close range bravely with 2 Barna defenders trying desperately to block him.
The next switches saw McWilliams and Joe Corless come on for Keegan and Ivers. McWilliams pressed well in midfield and used his physicality to unsettle the Barna players.
Corless almost scored a screamer bar an exceptional save from the Barna keeper. Corless hitting with his left appeared to have found the top corner but the Barna keeper at full stretch palmed the ball onto the ball and reacted quickly to collect the ball.
The last 15 mins saw Barna create chances but Corless in goal was in outstanding form and produced some good saves. The game ended 4-1 with United into a semi-final but in the top division all games are cup finals.
Barna were much better side than the score line reflected and will be gunning for Kinvara in the 2 league games to come with premier league status on the line. United improving but more work needed from manager Canning. A pleasant result for the side after recent league defeats.
Man of the match was Lorcan Heavey who played with a cool head reminiscent of the likes Baresi!
Kinvara Utd: Cathal Corless, Conor Murphy, Lorcan Heavey, Dylan Corcoran, Shane Cassidy, Aran Waterhouse, Padraig Pearl, Adam Noone (c), Oisin Keegan, Cormac Ivers, Jason Carr.
Subs: David McWilliams, Joe Corless, Mark Costello.
Coach: Paul Canning.
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