Brennan’s brace wins it for Gorey
AFTER A tense opening 20 minutes, it took two Paul Brennan goals, one in each half, to separate the sides as Gorey Rangers continued their run with an impressive victory over neighbours Courtown Hibs in this tough FAI Junior Cup fourth round game in Courtown on Sunday.
It says plenty about the Gorey men since they soaked up the early pressure, and recovered to build their own attacking game, eventually finding a way to master the strong-running home side.
The visitors spread the ball into open spaces, beginning to create chances with some skilful play down the flanks coupled with some quick ball into the danger zone.
There were moments when it looked as if the home side were capable of upsetting their opponents, but they lacked real power in front of goal.
The Rangers ‘keeper was only brought into the action to deal with crosses or free-kicks into the area, only being called upon once during the opening 45 minutes to pull off a save of real quality.
Gorey Rangers showed little doubts in their ability to defend, with Gavin O’Brien and Jonathan Savage outstanding at the back, while Stephen Moloney and Mark Woods were utilising their midfield possession to telling effect.
As a result, the home side’s back four began to come under pressure, but Dylan Fleming was proving a real stumbling block in the centre of defence.
During the early pressure, Des Wolohan looked dangerous up front for Courtown, creating a couple of half chances, but on each occasion his efforts were blocked away, while at the opposite end Paul Brennan and Gary Murphy were beginning to find gaps in the home defence.
Both Murphy and Brennan had efforts saved by ‘keeper Jason McGuire, with one having to wait until the 41st minute for the game’s opening goal.
What led to the opener was a piece of quality attacking football involving Mark Woods and Gary Murphy.
The latter set Paul Brennan in on goal, and the winger made no mistake as he steered the ball past advancing ‘keeper McGuire into an unguarded goal.
Despite appeals for offside, referee Seamus Kelly had no hesitation in making the call which was a correct one in allowing the goal to stand, leaving the visitors with a 1-0 interval lead.
Courtown Hibs kept coming at the visitors during the opening 15 minutes of the second-half but, much like the first, they were unable to create a worthwhile chance, and were mainly reliant on set-pieces to try to fashion an equaliser, but the Rangers back four was not for conceding.
Having withstood this early pressure, Gorey recovered to once again impose themselves on the game.
Paul Brennan again showed his finishing instincts in front of goal when he powered home his second from just inside the area to make it 2-0.
One expected a reaction from the Courtown side, and one got this in the closing ten minutes as they pushed forward in search of a goal, but efforts from Des Wolohan and Colin O’Brien were capably dealt with by the visitors who now go into the final 32 draw. COURTOWN HIBS: Jason McGuire, Dale Galway, Troy Murphy, Brian Kinsella,
Dylan Fleming, Matty Kavanagh, Mick Kinsella, Colin O’Brien, Des Wolohan, Glen Hughes, James Fleming. Subs. - Daniel O’Brien, Nigor Garzaz, Jake Cassidy, Wes Fitzpatrick, Graham Redmond, Wayne O’Reilly, Jack O’Brien.
GOREY RANGERS: Seán Allen, Conor Casserley, Ryan Cullen, Gavin O’Brien, Jonathan Savage, Stephen Delaney, Mark Woods, Dylan Vickers, Gary Murphy, Joe Bolger, Paul Brennan. Subs. - Glen O’Brien, Adam Territt, David Crosbie, Conor Nolan, Craig Foster, Stephen Kinsella.
REFEREE: Seamus Kelly.