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CARNEW AFC were again in fine form to progress to the second round of the Jim McLaughlin Premier Trophy as they convincingly found a way past St. Peter’s for the third time this season.
The cup tie was rescheduled various times in the last month as the game was abandoned in the first tie after the referee halted the game late in extra-time when he appeared to be shoved by one of the St. Peter’s players.
But the two Premier Division sides battled it out in Woodlands at Greystones United astro for a place in the second round of the cup last Sunday and it turned out to be a tough but entertaining encounter.
St. Peter’s started the game brilliantly and put extreme pressure on the Carnew defence. Striker Jake Kane had a great chance in the fourth minute to put his side a goal to the good but his header was too tame and Carnew keeper Tomas Kinsella easily tipped the ball over the bar and out of danger.
Carnew opened the scoring against the run of play on the 12th minute with a fabulous free-kick from Cillian Gilligan.
Gilligan was brought down right on the edge of the area, the attacker stepped up and curled the ball into the top corner, an incredible strike by Gilligan to give his side the lead early in the first half.
There was little chances for either side for the remainder of the first half, a change at half time or at least early in the second half was inevitable for the St Peter’s side as they did little in the first half to threaten the Carnew defence or their goal.
Chad Ryan was introduced at the break to add as an attacking threat.
Ryan was proving to be a thorn in Carnew defence much like he was in the first game as he chased down every ball and challenged for every header.
Left-sided winger Daneil Mc Cann was also threatening the Carnew defence in the second half down that left wing.
The winger was beating Carnew right back Rob Young again and again and whipping in some great crosses into the box but Carnew were extremely strong at the back and headed the majority of the balls well out of harm’s way.
St. Peter’s threw caution to the wind after the hour mark and took some of their defensive players off and replaced them with pacey attackers.
Jake Kane was replaced after the hour mark for the pacey James Verschote who troubled the Carnew defence with his speed.
Disaster struck for St. Peter’s late in the second half as they went two goals down after great finishes by Cillian Gilligan and Eoin Mulholland.
St. Peter’s were playing a high line late in the game as they tried to push for an equalising goal but Mulholland made a great run in behind the away sides defence after the ball was cleared by his defence.
The striker took the ball down gracefully before slotting
1. Tomas Kinsella, 2. Conal McCrea, 3. Justin House, 4. Dan Nolan, 5. Adam Doyle, 6. Graham Byrne,
7. PJ O’ Keefe, 8. James Behan, 9. Killigan Gilligan, 10. Eoin Mulholland, 11. Rob Young. Subs: Niall Gorman for Rob Young (70min), Anthony Cogley for Killian Gilligan (80min).
REFEREE:
J. Redmond