Aisling Annacotty heap more misery on Geraldines

Aisling Annacotty secured their second win in five days in seperate cup competitions over Geraldines. Following last Saturday’s dramatic penalty shoot-out victory in Annacotty, Mike Aherne’s men defeated the Garryowen outfit 3-1 in the Tuohy Cup in Jackman Park.

Goals from Conor Coughlan (x2) and Paudie Walsh provided the victory but Geraldines will be wondering how they lost by such a margin as they missed an abundance of first half chances before Danny O’Neill’s penalty got them on the scoresheet.

From last Saturday’s encounter in the FAI Junior Cup, both sides made changes with Cian Collins, Donie Curtin and Thomas O’Grady replacing Karl Turner, Barry Hartnett and Bobby Tier, Shane Byrne also replaced the injured Evan Moloney in goals.

Annacotty changed their formation to that of a 3-5-2 for the game with Graham Bourke, Nathan O’Callaghan and Kennedy N’dip operating as three central defenders.

James Cleary and Dion Lynch came in on the wings for Paudie Walsh and Conor Coughlan who reverted to midfield with Brendan O’Dwyer and Eoghan Burke. Mark McGrath joined Shane Clarke up front in place of Aaron Murphy.

The game was just minutes old when Annacotty took the lead as Conor Coughlan cleverly finished with a low shot past Shane Byrne.

Geraldines responded well with a number of dangerous crosses from the right from Danny O’Neill, one of which should have been converted but evaded the attentions of both Cian Byrnes and Kevin Barry in the six yard box. Also, Cian Collins scuffed an effort at the back post.

Midfielder Christy O’Neill cleverly slipped Ian O’Donoghue through inside the penalty area but his shot was saved by Brian O’Connor and eventually cleared.

O’Neill and Collins then forced saves from O’Connor who looked unconvincing on both occasions. The Garryowen Green outfit finally got their reward when Graham Bourke was penalised for a handball and Danny O’Neill confidently dispatched the spot kick beyond O’Connor.

On the stroke of half-time, Kevin Barry and Cian Collins played a perfectly timed one-two before the latter blazed over. Moments later, Shane Cox forced a super save from O’Connor and the half-time whistle was blown.

Geraldines started brightly in the second half and a trademark forward run by Danny O’Neill resulted in Barry’s flick being blocked by O’Connor. Annacotty created a chance of their own as Eoghan Burke miskicked at the edge of the box when in a great position.

Despite their dominance, Derek Hannon’s men were punished severely for a defensive error as Shane Cox clearance was blocked down by substitute Paudie Walsh and he coolly lobbed Byrne to put Aisling ahead.

As Geraldines pushed for an equaliser, they were caught on the break and Clarke played a through ball to Conor Coughlan who curled the ball beyind Paul Fitzgerald who had replaced Shane Byrne in goal.

Aisling Annacotty: Brian O’Connor, Kennedy N’dip, Nathan O’Callaghan, Graham Bourke, Eoghan Burke, Brendan O’Dwyer, Conor Coughlan, James Cleary(Rian Brady), Dion Lynch (Shane Donegan), Shane Clarke, Mark McGrath (Paudie Walsh)

Geraldines: Shane Byrne, Danny O’Neill, Clifton Carey, Thomas O’Grady, Shane Cox, Christy O’Neill, Cian Byrnes (Ross Mitchell), Donie Curtin, Cian Collins (Paul Fitzgerald), Ian O’Donoghue, Kevin Barry