Icing on the cake for Avonmore FC Youths
Avonmore Youths secure the ‘A’ Shield crown in style
AVONMORE claimed their second trophy of the season as they claimed the Youths ‘A’ Shield after an impressive 4-0 victory over Ashford Rovers in Ballinalea Park.
The Rathdrum side knew that a win would secure them the title, whereas Ashford only needed a draw to
John Tobin Youths League Player of the Year Oisín McGraynor netted a hat-trick to add to his incredible goal scoring tally for the season. Dale Fluskey opened the scoring with a low driven free kick.
The hard ground made controlling the ball difficult in the early stages of the encounter with awkward bounces causing a scrappy start to the game.
Ashford had the first real opportunity six minutes in as Nathan Doyle’s shot was saved as Aidan Murray showed his quick reactions to reach down to his near bottom corner.
Avonmore’s Mark Cullen then had a chance five minutes later as his tame effort was comfortably saved by Ross Hamilton after some good hold up play by Dean Carter.
The game was heated from the get go as the two rivals put their bodies on the line. Referee Michael Kennedy let play go on many occasions, attempting to let the game flow.
Kennedy called a water break midway through the opening period due to the warm conditions. Avonmore seemed to take control after this, with them having considerable amounts of possession in deeper positions.
In the 29th minute, Avonmore won a free kick in a dangerous area after Ross Ward was taken to the ground. Dale Fluskey stepped up and fired low to Hamilton’s right hand corner. Cue the celebrations.
They then survived a scare just a minute later as Ashford had a golden opportunity. Jamie Byrne delivered a beautifully floated free kick in to the danger zone, the ball met the head of Kian Marah, which crashed against the crossbar. This then led to a goalmouth scramble, Oisin Hill had his strike blocked by goalkeeper Murray. The ball later fell to Tommy Quinn, who lashed home, only for this to be ruled out for offside. A massive let off for Avonmore.
The next goal would have been a crucial one as if Ashford would have scored it, they would have levelled the game and would have been a hammer blow for Avonmore.
Though 3 minutes before the interval, it was Avonmore who extended their lead. Jack Manley played a through ball into the path of Oisín McGraynor. Manley was taken down after the ball was played but the referee let the play go on. McGraynor took the ball superbly in his stride, rounded the keeper and finished into an empty net.
This goal gave Avonmore huge confidence going into the break. It was a huge kick in the teeth for Ashford who would have been ruing their golden chance.
Ashford gave it a go in the first few minutes of the second half as Kian Marah headed over the bar after a lovely cross by Nathan Doyle.
The killer goal was scored in the 56th minute of the game. Ashford seemed to have gotten through the Avonmore defence, but captain Zach Cullen held firm, he then played the ball to Ross Ward who somehow picked out man of the moment McGraynor with a long through ball. He grasped the chance and fired home.
Avonmore began to make several substitutions after the goal. One of them, Cody Reid had a good opportunity after being found by strike partner McGraynor, but Reid couldn’t turn it home from the edge of the area.
McGraynor was at the forefront of the majority of Avonmore’s attacks with his strong running causing the Ashford defence problems throughout.
Ashford’s heads did go down after the third goal, although Avonmore goalkeeper Aidan Murray was kept on his toes. A long-range strike by Ruadhan Fallon Verbruggen had to tipped over by Murray.
Oisín McGraynor finally completed his hat-trick in the 85th minute.
After some good work by Cody Reid, the ball fell to McGraynor drilled low yet again to ensure the title went to Rathdrum.
Ashford did have a half chance two minutes from time, as goalkeeper Ross Hamilton came up to the half way line to take a free kick, the ball crashed against the upright, but that was unfortunately as close as it got for Rovers.
Avonmore were well worth their victory in the end with some great attacking play.
Ashford Rovers: 1. Ross Hamilton,
2. Ryan Butler, 3. Conor Diamond, 4. Daniel Rooney, 5. Oisín Hill, 6. Ryan Beale, 7. Jamie Byrne, 8. Ruadhan Fallon Verbruggen, 9. Tommy Quinn,
10. Nathan Doyle, 11. Kian Marah. Subs: Fionn Matthews for Butler (HT), Aaron Gannon for Quinn (65th min), Adam Crean for Marah (85th min)
Avonmore: 1. Aidan Murray, 2. Ross Ward, 3. Liam Dickenson, 4. Zach Cullen, 5. Ryan Kenny, 6. Jack Manley, 7. Declan Breslin, 8. Dale Fluskey, 9. Oisin McGraynor, 10. Mark Cullen, 11. Dean Carter. Subs: Cody Reid for Carter (55th min), Seán Leonard for Breslin (63rd min), Aaron Tuke for Fluskey (70th min), Rob Vard for Manley (78th min), Callum Busher for Dickenson (78th min) Not used: Eric Olohan, Daniel Hagan, Ross Merry.
Referee: Michael Kennedy