Coachford A launch Munster Junior Cup campaign with a 5-2 victory over Ballyphehane Celtic
The Coachford A side that had a 5-2 victory over Ballyphehane Celtic in their first-round tie of the Munster Junior Cup at Leeside Park.
The FAI Junior Cup winners missed several gilt-edged chances in the first half that could have made their path much more comfortable in this tie.
These missed opportunities allowed Ballyphehane Celtic to grow in confidence as the game progressed.
As a result, the Business league side gave an excellent account of themselves, but clinical finishing ultimately saw Coachford safely over the line.
Coachford threatened from the off as Luke Casey saw his delicate flick go narrowly wide before he collected from Adam Murphy to force a magnificent save from Jamie O’Sullivan with a stinging effort.
Coachford continued to do the early pressing as Casey threatened again – this time heading against Jamie O’Sullivan from Filip Rzymek’s cross before the danger was cleared.
A gilt-edge chance fell for Coachford minutes later – from Luke Casey’s free kick, Mark Murphy cushioned a header down for the unmarked Gavin O’Sullivan, who scooped over near goal.
But, Ballyphehane Celtic were awarded a penalty after a hand-ball incident and from the spot, Ryan Constant blazed home to hand his side the lead on 15 minutes.
However, it was short-lived though as Coachford were back again on level terms when following good work from Mark Murphy, Matthew Bradley used his strength to take control before firing low into the far corner on 19 minutes.
Coachford had a chance then to nose in front, but when Luke Casey knocked it down for Adam Murphy, he rifled over from the edge of the box.
Coachford continued in control as Luke Casey scooped over from Mark Bradley’s pass before he cleared the bar soon after from an Adam Murphy assist.
A lovely flick around the corner by Gavin O’Sullivan played in Luke Casey, but Ryan Constant got a decisive foot in to deny the Coachford striker, conceding a corner in the process.
Then, after Steven Murray tipped over from a fine strike by James Corcoran, Coachford nosed in front when a pass from Adam Murphy set Luke Casey up to place his effort into the far corner and hand Coachford a 2-1 lead ahead of the break.
With just five minutes into the second period, Coachford were rocked right back on their heels when a superbly struck effort from Ballyphehane Celtic’s Jamie Thompson torpedoed into the top corner to restore parity again at 2-2.
But, what another sensation goal followed soon after – Ryan Leahy found Gavin O’Sullivan in space and after looking up, he unleashed a magnificent strike that soared into the top corner to hand Coachford back the advantage again.
The woodwork then came to Ballyphehane’s rescue when Dara Lynch took advantage of cheap possession before cracking a stinging effort off the bar.
Ballyphehane were handed a glorious chance when a loose ball from a free-kick found Dridi Wadi inside the box, but he surprisingly fired over from close range.
Coachford stretched their lead further when Luke Casey collected from Dara Lynch before turning to send an unstoppable effort crashing into the net and make it 4-2 on 85.
Coachford continued to finish strongly and following some patient build up play, Dara Lynch found Luke Casey with an accurate pass and what a finish we saw from Coachford striker when he controlled before rifling strongly past Jamie O’Sullivan in the 87th minute.
Ballyphehane Celtic continued with their whole-hearted approach, despite the scoreline and it took a terrific save from Steven Murray when he had to tip over from a fine effort by the impressive Jamie Thompson before the end.
Ballyphehane Celtic: Jamie O’Sullivan, Christopher Bowen, Aaron West, Dridi Wadi, Robert Tier, Ryan Constant, John O’Brien, Stephen Folasade, Steven Ring, James Corcoran and James Thompson.
Subs: Tadgh Shanahan for Stephen Folasade (70), Oliver O’Sullivan for Robert Tier (89).
Coachford: Steven Murray, Filip Rzymek, Ryan Leahy, Mark Murphy, Paul Mullins, Adam Murphy, Ardghal O’Buachalla, Gavin O’Sullivan, Luke Casey, Mark Bradley and Jack O’Sullivan.
Subs: Diarmuid McCarthy for Ardghal O’Buachalla (62), Dara Lynch for Jack O’Sullivan (69), Neil Moynihan for Filip Rzymek (86), Eric Murphy for Luke Casey (92), David Thompson for Mark Bradley (92).
Referee: Paul Higgins.
App?
