Grangevale AFC
FAI Junior Cup 4th Round
Grangevale 1 – Pearse Celtic 1 (aet) Pearse won 4-2 on pens
Due to the continuing inclement weather, this fixture was finally completed at the 6th time of asking at Douglas Hall’s all-weather facility in Moneygourney on Sunday afternoon. Pearse Celtic provided the opposition with the prize for the winner a 5th round date with Leeside who currently occupy the AUL’s top slot at the summit of the Premier league.
Gary Ahern kept goal and the back four was made up of Damo O’Callaghan, Dave O’Sullivan, Keith O’Callaghan and Danny O’Driscoll. Malik Elmusbahi, Keith Troy, Dan Cronin and Eric Kennedy held the midfield berths with Danny Meade and Philip Holland up front.
Pearse started well and were unlucky not to take the lead within 5 minutes when a solid header from a corner kick rattled the Vale’s crossbar. The Vale were out of sorts and were struggling to deal with the physically stronger Pearse Celtic side. Gradually, however, they began to get themselves into the game by keeping the ball on the deck and playing some decent flowing football.
In fairness, the Vale came more and more into the game but scoring chances were rare despite the possession held. In the 36th minute, Grangevale’s inability to turn possession into goals was punished when a Pearse free kick ended up in the back of Gary Ahern’s net and the scoreline remained at 0-1 when referee Stephen O’Connell blew for half time.
The second half saw a huge improvement in the Vale’s performance and they began to really take the game to their Premier A league opponents. With 55 minutes gone, Eric Kennedy had a great effort come back off the upright and although the rebound fell kindly for Troy, the Dubliner failed to convert from 6 yards out. The Vale finally got back on level terms in the 68th minute when Danny Meade fired past the Pearse keeper after great combination play between Elmusbahi and Cronin on the right flank. Gary Ahern was in good form in the Grangevale goal making vital saves when required and the game went to extra time after both sides failed to break the deadlock within the regulation 90 minutes.
Fatigue was a major factor for both sides in extra time, Elmusbahi had a half chance in the 103rd minute and Pearse went close to clinching what surely would have been the winner in the final minute.
Penalties it was, and, as per their last outing, Grangevale were beaten in the shoot-out by 4 to 2 thus bowing out of this years competition.
The Grangevale committee would like to convey a sincere thank you to Douglas Hall for making their facilities available for this fixture to be played at such short notice.
Next Sunday morning, the Vale entertain Dillon’s Cross Athletic in the 3rd round of the Munster Junior Cup. The prize for the winner of this tie is an away trip to Waterford opposition in the next round.
FAI Junior Cup 4th Round
Grangevale 1 – Pearse Celtic 1 (aet) Pearse won 4-2 on pens
Due to the continuing inclement weather, this fixture was finally completed at the 6th time of asking at Douglas Hall’s all-weather facility in Moneygourney on Sunday afternoon. Pearse Celtic provided the opposition with the prize for the winner a 5th round date with Leeside who currently occupy the AUL’s top slot at the summit of the Premier league.
Gary Ahern kept goal and the back four was made up of Damo O’Callaghan, Dave O’Sullivan, Keith O’Callaghan and Danny O’Driscoll. Malik Elmusbahi, Keith Troy, Dan Cronin and Eric Kennedy held the midfield berths with Danny Meade and Philip Holland up front.
Pearse started well and were unlucky not to take the lead within 5 minutes when a solid header from a corner kick rattled the Vale’s crossbar. The Vale were out of sorts and were struggling to deal with the physically stronger Pearse Celtic side. Gradually, however, they began to get themselves into the game by keeping the ball on the deck and playing some decent flowing football.
In fairness, the Vale came more and more into the game but scoring chances were rare despite the possession held. In the 36th minute, Grangevale’s inability to turn possession into goals was punished when a Pearse free kick ended up in the back of Gary Ahern’s net and the scoreline remained at 0-1 when referee Stephen O’Connell blew for half time.
The second half saw a huge improvement in the Vale’s performance and they began to really take the game to their Premier A league opponents. With 55 minutes gone, Eric Kennedy had a great effort come back off the upright and although the rebound fell kindly for Troy, the Dubliner failed to convert from 6 yards out. The Vale finally got back on level terms in the 68th minute when Danny Meade fired past the Pearse keeper after great combination play between Elmusbahi and Cronin on the right flank. Gary Ahern was in good form in the Grangevale goal making vital saves when required and the game went to extra time after both sides failed to break the deadlock within the regulation 90 minutes.
Fatigue was a major factor for both sides in extra time, Elmusbahi had a half chance in the 103rd minute and Pearse went close to clinching what surely would have been the winner in the final minute.
Penalties it was, and, as per their last outing, Grangevale were beaten in the shoot-out by 4 to 2 thus bowing out of this years competition.
The Grangevale committee would like to convey a sincere thank you to Douglas Hall for making their facilities available for this fixture to be played at such short notice.
Next Sunday morning, the Vale entertain Dillon’s Cross Athletic in the 3rd round of the Munster Junior Cup. The prize for the winner of this tie is an away trip to Waterford opposition in the next round.
