Holders Coachford beat Tralee to move into Munster Junior Cup quarter-final
Coachford had a 2-0 victory over Tralee Dynamos in the fifth round of the Munster Junior Cup at the Glebe. Picture: Barry Peelo.
Goals from Luke Casey and Mark Murphy sent Coachford into the quarter-final stage of the Munster Junior Cup past Kerry side Tralee Dynamos at the Glebe.
Although it was a laborious performance by the holders, they still managed to get over the line. On the basis of the chances created, they could have won by more.
After a lively approach from both sides, Adam Murphy won good possession around 25 yards out before lifting a decent effort over.
A half chance did come by Coachford’s way shortly after when Luke Casey collected from Cialan O’Sullivan before seeing his low effort blocked by Birdsall before Mark O’Connell fired wide from an Adam Murphy assist.
And when the ball bounced around in the box between a number of players, Luke Casey pounced, but couldn’t sort his feet out enough to get a shot away.
Soon after, Stephen Murray had to deal with an awkward in-swinging corner from Shane Lowth, while at the other end, Patrick Dowling produced a top-drawer tackle to deny Jamie Griffin a pathway through on goal.
For the next 15 minutes or so, the tie turned into a dog-fight with plenty of huff and puff going on in all areas of the pitch until Adam Murphy played it short for Ryan Leahy, who slipped it out to the channel for Matthew Bradley, he lifted a curling cross into the danger area where Sean Foley was lucky enough to be in the right place to head the ball away to safety.
What an effort then came next from Sean Foley when he unleashed a cracking strike that whistled agonisingly past the upright, just minutes before the interval.
Coachford broke the ice with just three minutes into the second period and it arrived from a delivery by Cialan O’Sullivan into the box.
And when it bounced around a few times as Dynamos failed to clear the danger, Luke Casey pounced to help the ball over the line to hand the hosts the advantage.
And after Adam Murphy saw his looping header collected by the Dynamos keeper, Luke Casey got away on the left before turning inside to strike at goal, but his effort was blocked by Birdsall.
A chance fell for Coachford when following a free kick, the ball came to the available Cialan O’Sullivan inside the box, but he hooked over from close range.
Then, Casey found Jamie Griffin with a pass inside, but he was foiled by a solid block from Patrick Dowling.
Tralee started to enjoy more possession now for a period and threatened when Ciaran Looney fired a crisp effort narrowly wide.
But, when Coachford started to settle once again, they had another chance – Matthew Bradley’s throw was headed into the box where Luke Casey lurked, but he uncharacteristically hooked over, just yards out.
The hosts started to settle more on the ball now and when Mark Murphy headed over from Luke Casey’s cross, a nice passage of play followed which saw Casey play it short to Jamie Griffin, he found Mark O’Connell unmarked in the box, but the midfielder headed over to waste a gilt-edge chance.
And when Cialan O’Sullivan crossed to the near post, Dynamos’ keeper did enough to prevent Luke Casey getting a free header at the near post.
Dynamos were dealt a blow after that when Patrick Dowling was sent from the field of play after receiving a red card.
Coachford doubled their advantage when following a scramble in the box, Mark Murphy got the final touch to stroke home on 80 minutes.
Soon after, Dynamos were reduced to nine players when Victor Udeze was shown a red card two minutes later.
Space started to open up now for Coachford as they comfortably game-managed the remainder of the tie comfortably, with minimum of fuss.
Stephen Murray, Dara Lynch, Matthew Bradley, Mark Murphy, Keith Linzell, Adam Murphy, Ryan Leahy, Mark O’Connell, Luke Casey, Jamie Griffin, Cialan O’Sullivan.
Cathal O’Neill for Mark O’Connell (84), Sean O’Sullivan for Jamie Griffin (84), Diarmuid McCarthy for Cialan O’Sullivan (87), Gary Murphy for Luke Casey (89).
Robert Birdsall, Peter Murphy, Dan Clinton, Sean Foley, Patrick Dowling, Dara Lowth, Dave Townsend, Lorcan Seymour, Ciaran Cooney, Shane Lowth, Jamie O’Shea.
Victor Udeze for Dave Townsend (53), Ferdia O’Brien for Lorcan Seymour (61), Gerard McCarthy for Jamie O’Shea (76), Adam Murphy Sean Foley (90), Fergal Moran for Dan Clinton (93).
Alan McDonagh.
Paul Bowdren and Stephen Moore.
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