Village United prove too good for Carrigaline in FAI Junior Cup
Village v Carrigaline Utd Village United's captain Colin Hickey (right) with Carrigaline United's Caleb O'Connell, accompanied by referee Paul Bowdren.
And if it were not for some terrific saves from Carrigaline’s keeper Conor Quinn – especially in the first period, the margin of victory could have been a lot greater.
With regard to choosing a man of the match from the action – for me, it had to be Adam Geraghty who played a magnificent role at the heart of his defence where he had to deal with an impressive Oumorou who certainly looked the part, but on the day, he was snuffed out by the imperious Village defender.
Village looked threatening from the off and when Stephen Long headed on for Zack McCarthy, Conor Quinn needed to be vigilant enough to advance in the nick of time and intervene.
And when Spillane’s cross was just too high for Carrigaline’s Oumorou, a sweeping move from Village commenced with Aaron Hennessy finding Colin Hicky to help on for Stephn Long who freed up Zack McCarthy with a measured pass, but the midfielder skewed wide from 20 with his effort.
At the other end, a free kick from Spillane ricochethed off the wall which forced Butler to adjust himself before smothering possession.
Village made steady progress once again with neat passages of play and Jamie Murphy’s effort to reach Hickey was just a little too high for the in-rushing midfielder.
A neat Village move followed again with Long helping on to Jamie Murphy who picked out Colin Hickey to drill goalwards, but straight at Quinn.
A chance then fell for Carrigaline – a cross from Spillane seemed to have fallen into the path of Oumorou, but the striker just could not get a vital touch while unattended and a chance went.
A mistake at the back of Carrigaline’s defence left Jamie Murphy with a chance, but a superb save from Conor Quinn denied the Village striker.
But, when Graham Cummins found Jamie Murphy down the left flank, the striker picked out Aaron Hennessy who steered past Quinn for Village’s opener on 24.
Village were really playing well now and when Murphy played in Hennessy once again, a top-drawer tackle from Robert Leonard saved the day.
Long then headed over from Graham Cummins’ corner before Jamie Murphy exchanged passes with Hennessy to force Quinn into making another fine block.
The final action in a first half controlled by Village saw Conor Quinn make a superb save from a blistering effort by Jamie Murphy.
The second half saw another bright start from Village and after a decent effort from Zack McCarthy sailed over, they doubled their advantage on 52 minutes.
A lovely struck corner from Graham Cummins which arrived in the box, saw Shane Geraghty rise to send his thumping header crashing into the net.
A response from Carrigaline then saw Alade side-stepping his marker before unleashing a terrific low effort which whistled inches wide.
But, Village threatened again and when Zack McCarthy exchanged passes with Stephen O’Donnell, his cross was destined for Jamie Murphy – only to see Gavin Murphy time his run to clear the danger in the nick of time.
Village United’s tails continued to go up as they swept forward in search of a third and it was Jamie Murphy who found space as he embarked on a run towards goal – only to be foiled by an excellent tackle by Robert Leonard at the expense of a corner.
Jamie Murphy must have been wondering what he had to do to get his name on the score-sheet because once again, his thumping effort was parried away by Conor Quinn – only to fall for substitute Stephen O’Donnell who was on hand to head home beyond Quinn to make it now 3-0 to Village in the 89th minute.
The tie as a contest of course was well and truly over now and soon after referee Paul Bowdren brought the action to a close with many Village followers rejoicing at the end.
Village United: Tomas Butler, Graham Cummins, Adam Geraghty, Craig Keegan, Stephen Thompson, Shane Geraghty, Colin Hickey, Zack McCarthy, Stephen Long, Aaron Hennessy and Jamie Murphy.
Subs: Pa Mooney for Stephen Long (50), Stephen O’Donnell for Colin Hickey 60).
Carrigaline FC: Conor Quinn, Robert Leonard, Colm Cronin, Andrew Kingston, Jonathon Murphy, Sean Morrissey, T Alade, Caleb O’Connell, A Oumorou, Dean Kelly and Colm Spillane.
Subs: Gavin Murphy for Sean Morrissey (54), Cillian Hayes for T Alade (66), Mario Focsa for Andrew Kingston (76).
Referee: Paul Bowdren.
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