Coachford A cruise into AOH Cup quarter-final with big win over Knocknaheeny Celtic
The Coachford side that had an 8-0 win over Knocknaheeny Celtic in the third round of the AOH Cup at Kilmore Road.
Star of the show and not for the first time was the display of ace striker Luke Casey who grabbed four over the action with some deadly finishing.
It was a powerful display from the holders who found themselves 3-0 up after just ten minutes.
They exploded from the blocks with their first coming after just one minute – as the Knocknaheeny defence tried to deal with early offensive play from Coachford, the ball broke into space for Luke Casey who applied the appropriate finishing touch with a rifling low effort to the corner.
A response from Knocknaheeny saw Kelvin Greaney head over from Craig Hourigan’s free kick at the other end.
But, on seven minutes, Coachford doubled their lead when Luke Casey embarked on a run down the right flank before picking out the unmarked Cialan O’Sullivan to tap home near goal.
Then, a mix-up in the Knocknaheeny Celtic defence presented Jamie Griffin an opportunity to pick his spot and make it 3-0 on ten minutes.
Coachford continued in the ascendancy and when Luke Casey found Jamie Griffin inside the box, his effort to force home was cleared as far as the advanced Matthew Bradley who saw his rasping effort blocked by Vinnie Lonergan.
Minutes later, Cialan O’Sullivan’s effort with a pass for Jamie Griffin was well ready by Jason Higgins who intercepted in the nick of time before clearing the danger.
When play shifted to the other end, Jack Leonard found Jordan Cuff who saw his looping header collected comfortably by Stephen Murray.
But a sumptuous ball by Jack O’Sullivan found Luke Casey who stole in from the right before slamming home his second to make it 4-0 on 25.
Despite having a mountain to climb now, Knocknaheeny Celtic refused to be bowed and Stephen Murray had to be alert to deal with a forceful effort by Craig Hourigan before Kian Green saw his looping effort bounce off the timberwork before going over.
Then, when Vinnie Lonergan tried to loop a pass on for Colm Healy, Mark Murphy did enough defensively to tidy up the threat.
Soon play shifted to the other and from Jamie Griffin’s corner, Mark Murphy rose to power a header which looked destined for the corner until Evan Hourigan was in the right place to head off the line, but when the loose ball arrived for Luke Casey, once again, he demonstrated some deadly finishing with a rasping effort past Graham Murphy to make it 5-0 as well as complete his hat-trick in the 44th minute.
Despite trailing now by 0-5, Knocknaheeny Celtic demonstrated a huge level of resilience and came out for the second 45 with an attack-minded approach.
And when Luke Greaney crossed for the available Kian Green near the far post, he could not adjust his body enough to fire an effort away with the necessary conviction before Luke Greaney made Stephen Murray work to collect from his fizzing effort.
Minutes later, a cracking effort from a free kick by Kian Green had Stephen Murray stretching to punch clear, but Coachford started to compose themselves once again and from Jamie Griffin’s through ball, Luke Casey pounced on to possession before making his way towards goal, only to be denied this time by a superb block from Graham Murphy.
Despite Knocknaheeny Celtic’s work-rate with trying to make something happen for themselves, they fell further behind when Sean O’Sullivan won good possession in midfield before picking out Luke Casey, who managed to make enough space for himself before steadying to rifle an unstoppable effort deep into the Knocknaheeny Celtic net for his fourth as well as make it 6-0 to Coachford.
Coachford were now on the front-foot and continued to emphasise their superiority in this cup tie when they grabbed a seventh with Mark O’Connell steering home from close range before Cathal O’Neill made it 8-0 with a neat finish near the end.
Knocknaheeny Celtic: Graham Murphy, Evan Hourigan, Luke Greaney, Kelvin Greaney, Jason Higgins, Craig Hourigan, Kian Green, Vinnie Lonergan, Colm Healy, Jordan Cuff and Jack Leonard.
Subs: No subs used.
Coachford FC: Stephen Murray, Dara Lynch, Matthew Bradley, Mark Murphy, Keith Linzell, Mark O’Connell, Jack O’Sullivan, Sean O’Sullivan, Luke Casey, Jamie Griffin and Cialan O’Sullivan.
Subs: Cathal O’Neill for Cialan O’Sullivan (16), Neil Moynihan for Matthew Bradley (59), Diarmuid McCarthy for Luke Casey (60), Paul Mullins for Keith Linzell (62), Eric Murphy for Jamie Griffin (71).
Referee: Alan McDonagh.
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