Coonagh United Exit FAI Junior Cup

Coonagh United were eliminated from the FAI Junior Cup at the sixth round stage for the second time in three years earlier today. The team travelled to Dublin to face a strong Crumlin side hoping to reach the last 16 of the competition for the first time in the club’s history.

The home side were favourites going into the game and took an early lead when Conor Mooney converted with a header from a corner kick.

Johnathan O’Donoghue doubled the home side’s lead with a superb solo goal as the striker controlled a cross-field pass before curling the ball into the top corner beyond Kieran Simmonds.

The Limerick side were not perturbed by the fast start and pulled a goal back when Gordon McKevitt who powered the ball to the net following a back-post delivery.

The away side were now pushing for an equaliser and were almost rewarded when midfielder Will Brick saw his long range effort hit the crossbar and bounce onto the line before being dramtically cleared, much to the relief of the Dubliners.

John Spillane’s side were dealt a killer blow when Conor Mooney got his second of the game and Crumlin’s third just before half time.

As Coonagh pushed on in the latter stages, Crumlin added two goals, both from the penalty spot as Mooney converted the first to claim his hattrick. With the last kick of the game, the referee awarded a second penalty to the home side and substitute David Dempsey converted to end the game on a 5-1 scoreline.

It was a disappointing ending to the journey for everyone associated with Coonagh but it has been a great journey for the club, including winning a dramatic penalty shoot-out to reach the last 32. Considering the club were in Division 1B two years ago, they have made great strides as a newly promoted premier club.