Mixed luck for schoolboy sides

There was mixed luck for Avenue schoolboy sides at the weekend in National Cup action.
The U-16s had a great victory at Lees Road but the U-13s, despite a strong display, were beaten after extra time in Carrigaline.
However, the Clare club has lodged an appeal with the authorities because the game was played on astro turf and they hadn’t been given prior notice. They argue that, according to rule, 48 hours notice must be given of any change.

Avenue Utd 1   Villa, Waterford 0

Avenue United’s U-16s are through to the last 16 in the Barry cup thanks to a hard earned win over a fancied Villa side from Waterford on Saturday last at Lees Road.
Before a big crowd, the Ennis outfit produced a great team display to win through to the next stage of the competition where they will play Newbridge at the end of the month.
The all important goal came midway through the first half and was scored by Evan McNamara whose well struck effort from 20m nestled in the bottom corner of the net to the delight of the big Clare following.
The teams were very evenly matched throughout and both sides contributed to a very entertaining game of football.
In the closing stages of the game as Villa piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser, Avenue goalkeeper Killian Normoyle produced a couple of excellent saves to deny them.
Avenue manager Sean White agreed that, “the game was in the balance to the last minute. It was a great team effort on the part of Avenue United with all fifteen players that took part contributing. It was a great battle with little between the sides.”

Avenue United: Killian Normoyle; Evan McNamara, Michael Moloney, James Woods, Conor O’Brien; Rory Brennan, Brian Guilfoyle; Cian Crimmins, Ross McCarthy, Sean Twomey; Eimhin Courtney.
Subs: Conor McInerney, Lee O’Callaghan, Barry Guilfoyle, Niall Keane.

Carrigaline 2   Avenue United 0
(after extra time)

Avenue’s U-13s were unlucky to concede two goals in extra time in this Troy Cup tie played at Carrigaline on Sunday. In a game that produced a very high standard, the Ennis club had the better of matters for long periods but the bounce of the ball on an unfamiliar surface proved costly.
They hadn’t played on an astro turf surface and because they didn’t receive any prior notice that the game would be played on astroturf, the Ennis club has lodged an appeal with the SFAI.
The opening goal came at the end of the first period of extra time, while the second came in the closing minutes of the second period. Goalkeeper Johnnie Ryan, who was outstanding all through, made a superb save and Jamie Roche then headed off the goal line but the ball hit the post and went into the net.

Avenue United: Johnnie Ryan; Jamie Roche, Jack Crowley, Sam Ogundare, Gavin Cooney; Ben Egan, Colm O’Loughlin, Vincent Quinlivan, Mark Collins, Philip Talty, Jack Stubbs.
Subs: Sean O’Doherty, James Whelan, Liam King.