Colga survive penalty drama in Cup tie
SOMETIMES goalkeepers are passengers in games, but after being beaten four times in succession, Colga goalkeeper Mark Greaney suddenly became the hero as two saves in the penalty shoot out propelled his side into the third round of the FAI Junior Cup.
In Kilcornan on Sunday, it was competitive as Salthill Devon held the majority of aces in terms of creativity, but Colga hung in there as matters were dragged out through 110 minutes in a scoreless manner.
Thereafter, all the drama was saved for the shoot-out as Devon initially held the advantage when converted penalties from Enda Curran, Colin Kelly, Cole Connolly and Shane O’Rourke had them in the driving seat.
For the home side, Lucas De Paulo, Ross Ward and Oisin Duffy all tucked away their efforts, as Liam Corcoran sent his effort outside a post. That left matters at 4-3 in favour of the City, but the course of events were to change thereafter.
A converted effort from Mark Ludden would have secured Devon’s passage, but Greaney sprung to his right to save the effort. Young Calum Browne then had to score for Colga in order to level matters and he duly obliged to tie up matters at 4-4.
On to sudden death and Joe Collins effort for Devon lacked power and Greaney got down low to save. All the pressure now lay on the shoulders of Padraig Pearl and he belied his tender years with a powerful effort past Arek Mamala to win it for Colga.
With a few exceptions, the opening half was devoid of clear opportunities, but there was one notable chance when Colga were awarded a penalty on 33 minutes after Browne was upended in the box. However, Neil Greaney fired his effort wide in one of the home side’s best spells in the game.
However the second half was different as the home goal led a bit of a charmed life. A Curran volley was blocked in a crowded box, before Ben McDonnell had a close range shot deflected out for a corner. Curran then powered a Shane O’Rourke corner over the bar, before a smart reflex save by Greaney thwarted Cole Connolly.
Colga were defending well as Liam Corcoran, Eddie Silke, Padraig Pearl and Nathan Ward excelled, but from an offensive point of view their chances at the other end were limited.
Tom Daly had two half chances, but never threatened the goal. A left footed effort by Neil Greaney was also dealt with by the goalkeeper, but in reality there were fleeting moments as the likes of Mark Ludden and Timmy Molloy generally kept Devon on the front foot.
The game had two potential turning points in a minute. On 80 minutes, a weak pass back set up Mikie Fox, but while his run through on goal was under pressure, his low left footed effort was saved down low by Greaney. At the other end, a Cummings left wing cross picked out Browne, but in time and space he rushed his effort as it drifted off target. The visitors had a few late opportunities from free kicks, but Mark Greaney was equal to the efforts of Fox and Ludden with smart saves.
Twenty minutes of extra time resulted in similar fare as Devon probed and Colga defended and the status quo remained. Eventually, the dreaded penalty shoot-out settled matters as Peter Greaney’s side emerged winners and in current form will fancy their chances against anyone.
Colga: M. Greaney, Corcoran, Silke, Ward, De Silva (inj. Pearl 9), Duffy, Lalor (De Paula 75), Greaney (Horan 65), Browne, Lopez (Cummins 65), Daly (Ward 65).
Salthill Devon: Mamala, O’Rourke, Idemudia, Scally, Crowe, Ludden, Molloy (Collins 70), Connolly, Curran, Kelly, McDonnell (Fox 70, Murphy 94).
Referee: Marc Lynch.
On a good weekend for Colga, their U18 side won the Connacht Youth Shield with a 4-1 final success over St Bernard’s as Jamie Mulderrig (two), Orrin Gilmore and Daniel Shyrane took the scoring honours, while Ciara Mullins scored twice for the Women’s team in their 2-0 win over Ballinasloe Town in the semi-final of the Championship Cup.