Carbury lose out to West Utd
WEST UTD CARBURY FC 2 1
CARBURY FC’s TP Brennan Connacht Cup run was brought to an end on Sunday afternoon as they were knocked out of the competition by a steely West United side at O’Connor Park in Galway City Centre.
Carbury were well on top in the first half and went ahead after 11 minutes thanks to veteran Gareth Kelly, and certainly should have extended their lead further.
They would be left to rue their missed chances as the home side equalised just before halftime, scoring the winner after the hour mark.
These two sides met in the fourth round of this competition in 2019, with the Sligo side emerging victorious.
Ross McLoughlin was first to have a crack at goal on Sunday, his effort was just wide of the post.
The outstretched leg of Carbury ‘keeper Mark Rooney kept out Ruairi Casserly’s effort from close range.
On 11 minutes, Carbury went ahead after Kelly got on the end of Gary Armstrong’s corner, his sweet strike beating the West netminder from close range.
West were urged on by the large home support, and almost got an equaliser seconds later when Ronan Caldwell just had Rooney to beat after working his way around Ben Treanor, but he skewed his shot over the bar.
Gary Finan should have extended Carbury’s lead when he found himself one on one with the West keeper. but he couldn’t keep his shot down and it went over the bar.
The hosts came close thanks to efforts from Jason McPhilibin and Gary Matthews, before Nathan Ward hit the bar.
Neal McKenna and Gary Armstrong were off target, before Carbury were denied what seemed a certain penalty as Brian Kavanagh was brought down in the box.
They were furious, then, when the Mullingar man picked up a booking for what the referee deemed to be a dive.
Just before half-time, West were back in it. Caldwell hit the back of the net from a tight angle.
The momentum was with the Galway side, particularly with the home crowd cheering them on, and they took the lead on 66 minutes when Ward cut in from the left and hit what seemed like a tame effort at goal, but it evaded the Carbury defence and beat Rooney in goals. The visitors were furious again moments later when they felt they were denied a goal.
Aaron Murren’s corner curled in goalwards and was headed out by West’s Devaney, but the Sligo town side were adamant it had crossed the line, but the referee waved play on.
A good save from Rooney moments later kept Carbury in the game. They came close to equalising when Armstrong’s corner was headed back towards goal by the goalscorer Kelly, but
Finan just nodded it over the bar.
That’s three consecutive defeats for Carbury in all competitions.
Carbury: Mark Rooney; Ryan Norris, Ryan McManus, Ben Treanor, Aaron Murren; Gary Finan, Ross McLoughlin, Neal McKenna, Brian Kavanagh, Gary Armstrong; Gareth Kelly.
Meanwhile, in the T P Brennan Connacht Shield Quarter Final, a brilliant win here for Real Tubber with the only goal of the game coming on thirty-five minutes from a lethal finish from the boot of Eoin Walsh. Corofin were a very good side and almost snatched a late equaliser at the death but the Real Tubber rear-guard were in superb form.
Ballymote Celtic were away to Mayo side Glenhest Rovers for their quarter final clash. And lost by one goal to nil.