Late Kelly strike sees Mervue progress
Date Published: {J}
Mike Rafferty
Eight minutes from time Shane Kelly struck home a stunning winner as Mervue United advanced to the national open draw and hence the last 64 of the Umbro FAI Junior Cup as a result of this victory over Oranmore in Fahy’s Field on Sunday.
It was a close and competitive contest between two teams who have improved as the season has advanced. The home side were always in the driving seat as they led twice, but to the credit of the visitors they pegged them back on each occasion and it was only Kelly’s cracking late strike that separated them at the finish.
The opening quarter started off with a bang as three early goals set the tone. It was Mervue who broke the deadlock on six minutes when Tommy Walsh powered home a free kick from the edge of the area, but it was a lead that didn’t last long as Liam Rockall got a flick to a Lonan O’Farrell corner to tie up matters at 1-1.
Continuing the early trend it was Mervue who again regained the lead on 16 minutes. Derek McWalter and Dermot Ward provided the assists from down the right and Colie Kelly applied the finish from 20 yards for a 2-1 advantage.
Having been beaten twice in those early exchanges Oranmore goalkeeper Robert Forde didn’t have a shot to save for the rest of the half. However Kelly and Eamon Feeney spurned good opportunities from close range while good cover from Sean O’Brien and Willie Enubele prevented any further damage before the break.
In contrast Oranmore were not getting the same amount of close chances, with an Eric Lavine header easily covered by Dave Curran, while Alan Barrett displayed some neat footwork in the box before eventually firing wide.
The home side should certainly have put some distance between the sides following a very impressive start to the second half. In the opening minute, Stephen Cunningham set up Feeney, but in a smart stop Forde pushed his effort around a post.
On 48 minutes, a fine ball winning challenge by Arron Finnerty released Cunningham, who in turn put Kelly through on goal, but the normally deadly finisher flashed his shot past the far post in a poor conclusion. Cunningham then tested Forde at his near post, before the home side lost their way for a spell.
Oranmore rode the storm and levelled matters in the 55th minute when Lonan O’Farrell slotted home a spot kick awarded for some infringement in a crowded area following a corner.
It was the beginning of a good spell for the visitors, as a Barrett header tested Curran, before O’Farrell brought Curran to his knees at the neat post. On 67 minutes O’Farrell and David Eignor set up Lavine, but his close range effort was batted away by the custodian.For some reason, however, the visitors lost their way after this and never threatened thereafter. At the other end Kelly twice went close in a minute, while Cunningham also threatened. Then without warning Mervue struck for the winner.
A Shane Kelly corner was well punched away by Forde at his near post with the ball going out close to the sideline, where it was again picked up by Kelly. On this occasion the left full let fly and there was no stopping his angled drive as it ended up in the far top corner for a 3-2 lead and subsequent winner.
An injury time corner did provide an opportunity for the visitors to rescue something, but despite the penalty area holding 21 players, the set piece came to nothing as Mervue United held on and will now host Tipperary side St Michael’s in the fifth round.
Mervue United: Curran, Finnerty, S Kelly, Connolly (inj, Larkin 31), Walsh, Nolan, Feeney (Chawla 36), McWalter, C Kelly, Cunningham (Coyne 86), Ward.Oranmore: Forde, Devlin (inj, Kelly 90), Crowe, Enubele, O’Brien, Rockall (inj, Leke h-t), O’Neill, Eignor (Laverty 73), Lavine, Barrett, O’Farrell.
Referee: Vincent Carew.