Avoca make big statement
AVOCA BRAY EMMETS 3-12 2-5
AVOCA made a huge statement of intent in their first home Championship game of the campaign with this superb victory over Bray Emmets at Rooster Park.
Both sides claimed victory in their first Junior ‘B’ Championship games the previous week. Avoca defeating Carnew away from home and Bray Emmets beating Ashford on home soil.
The home side came flying out of the blocks early on, hitting the back of the net 40 seconds in. Andrew Doyle made a bursting run through the defence to then play the ball in for Jason Porter, who fired home.
Avoca’s rapid movement and pacey runs off the ball were terrific to watch as Bray struggled to cope.
Adam Tuke got in on the act 5 minutes in after a strong run through defence that Emmets couldn’t deal with. He then finished off his chance from a tight angle to put his side 6 points up.
This early advantage set the side up for a good performance and they continued in this fashion.
Bray’s best spell in the first half came after the second goal, having more of the ball in the opposition half. Although failed to convert many chances, firing 4 wides in succession.
Anthony Doran and Mikey Fahy cleaned up a lot of balls which was delightful for the Avoca full back line who were very unoccupied.
Quality scores by PJ Fluskey, Patrick Kennedy and Chris Arthur extended the Avoca advantage to nine points as they looked like they were going to run riot.
All six Avoca forwards had posted a score by the time the 17th minute ticked by. They also kicked no wides during this stage.
Bray failed to win many aerial duals as Avoca midfielders Dean Power and Stephen McCauley were dominant.
Bray Emmets did manage to create a goal opportunity, as Andrew Conway’s low shot hit the post and was cleared away from danger by the Avoca defence.
Chris Arthur of Avoca seemed to have covered every blade of grass during the first period as he was popping up all over the field.
With the half time score 2-6 to 0-3, Bray needed a quick start to the second half to stand any chance of a comeback.
Unfortunately, that didn’t come as they again struggled to deal with Avoca’s pace all over the field.
Avoca posted four wides early on as their shooting wasn’t as sharp as it was in the opening stages.
The game lacked action after the sides came back out, with the first score coming ten minutes into the half, a Liam Morgan free.
Adam Tuke pointed to pull the lead back out to nine points.
Andrew Doyle scored the pick of the points as he ran the full length of the field rapidly and powerfully to fire over the bar.
Bray’s delivery into their full forward line as the Avoca full back line stopped any attack with ease.
Five minutes from time, Bray Emmets were awarded a penalty after an alleged foot block. Goalkeeper Tony Denver ran to the other end of the field to take the spot kick, which he finished into the corner of John Harper’s net.
But this goal wasn’t enough to get Bray back into the game, several good scores from Patrick Kennedy put Avoca clear and into a ten-point lead.
Bray scored their second goal as Andrew Conway blasted the ball past Harper.
Straight away Avoca went up the other end to cancel out this goal. PJ Fluskey delivered a beautiful ball into Adam Tuke’s path who finished past keeper Denver for his third goal in two games.
This finished off the scoring in what was an inevitable, comfortable victory for Avoca.
Final Score – Avoca 3-12 Bray Emmets 2-5
Scorers: Avoca - Adam Tuke 2-1; Patrick Kennedy 0-5 (2f, 1 45); Jason Porter 1-0; Andrew Doyle 0-2; Chris Arthur 0-2; PJ Fluskey 0-1; Aaron Tuke 0-1.
Bray Emmets – Andrew Conway 1-1 (1f); Tony Denver 1-0 (pen); Liam Morgan 0-2 (2f); Niall McCague 0-2.
John Harper; Colin O’Connor, Robert Wilson, Eoin Murtagh; Anthony Doran, Mikey Fahy, Aaron Tuke; Dean Power, Stephen McCauley; Chris Arthur, Patrick Kennedy, Andrew Doyle; Adam Tuke, PJ Fluskey, Jason Porter. Subs: Colin Doran for Wilson (24 mins inj), Johnny Arthur for C. Arthur (40 mins); Stephen Ready for McCauley (50 mins) Darren Keogh for Porter (57 mins).
Tony Denver; Donnchadh O Mideach, Cormac Martin, Cian Lafferty; Ross Masterson, Tadgh Dornan, Niall McCague; Cian Lohan, Ben Kearney; Andrew Conway, Ciaran O Connor, Pat Gallagher; Liam Morgan, Tom Molloy, Declan Snow.
Gerry Corbett.