Six of the best from î Laoi as Barna/Furbo advance in Cup
Date Published: {J}
Mike Rafferty
Antaine Ó Laoi took the scoring honours in this U-13 Cup tie in Crestwood on Saturday morning as he lashed home all six goals for the visitors in a cracking contest between two well matched sides.
It was his brace just before the break that turned the contest in favour of Barna Furbo as it was the home side who were the more threatening and creative for the majority of the opening half.
If the young Spiddal native was the main marksman at one end, then Shane Hulgrain was equally influential for the home side and his two goals were a fitting reward for a good performance. The front man almost gave Hibs Foyle an opening minute lead, but visiting custodian Ruan O’Curraoin got down to keep out his effort.
However there was no stopping Hulgrain when he made it 1-0 in 14 minutes. Ryan Sheridan and Alan Conneely provided the assists down the left and the front man’s finishing was clinical as he lashed home the opener from 10 yards.
Kieran McGinty was the driving force for the home side during this good spell and twice he was denied by O’Curraoin following long range efforts, while Hulgrain was just off target after a powerful run through the middle.
The game was turned on its head just before the break when the visitors scored twice in a minute to gain a 2-1 advantage. O’Laoi gathered an Ian Kent delivery before rounding Shane Killeen and tapping in the equaliser and seconds later following another Kent pass, Jack Walsh set up his striking partner for another close range finish.
The second half was a frantic affair with front man O’Laoi at the heart of all the Barna Furbo action. He made it 3-1 on 41 minutes, when he drilled home a free kick, after home ‘keeper Killeen was yellow carded for a foul just outside the box.
The margin was reduced when the competitive Mike Devaego send a 40 yard free kick all the way to the net, but within two minutes it became 4-2 as O’Laoi converted from the spot after Killeen collected his second yellow card for another foul on the danger man.
For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.