Carr keeps cup hopefuls on right rOad
Wednesday February 24 2010
TWO second-half goals from Robert Carr proved decisive as Walshestown got the better of a pulsating encounter with Swords Celtic to book their place in the last 32 of the Under-15 SFAI Cup.
In a game that ebbed and flowed throughout, with some good attacking play from both sides, Walshestown had the better of the early play and took the lead after 15 minutes – although there was an element of good fortune about the goal.
A hopeful ball from Carr caught the Swords defence in two minds, and as the goalkeeper's kick ricocheted off the centre half, Eoin Leech latched onto the breaking ball to score into an empty net.
Swords came back strongly and Michael Flanagan in the Walshestown goal had to be at his best to save low and to his left.
Shortly after, a free kick from out on the left for the visitors was met by their big centre forward, who rose above the Walshestown defender and headed the equaliser. The sides went in level at halftime – 1-1.
The second half started in much the same way as the first, with strong challenges coming in from both sides, but as the half progressed the Walshestown midfield partnership of Adam Sheridan and Harry McCarthy started to get on top of proceedings.
Karl McDonnell and Barry Faulkner both went close and then – from a superb corner kick by McCarthy – the Swords full-back controlled the ball with his arm and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.
Up stepped Carr, the coolest player on the pitch, to slot home the spot kick.
Walshestown were now in the ascendancy and Colm Stringer, making a run from full-back, went close to extending their lead. The third goal wasn't far away, though, and when it arrived it was one to savour.
Sean McGinty played the ball out of defence to the feet of Eoin Leech. He released a first-time pass to Carr, who timed his run superbly to beat the offside trap and fire the ball into the bottom lefthand corner.
However, with 20 minutes to go Swords got one back when a well worked free kick caught out the Walshestown defence and their defender bundled the ball home from close range.
That goal spurred on the north Dubliners, but with Aaron Walsh and Ciarán Cunningham in terrific form at the heart of the Walshestown defence, a home win was never in question.
Indeed, Sean Kerr had a late chance to make it 4-2, only to be thwarted by the Swords keeper, and Walshestown can look forward to their last-32 tie against Avenue United of Clare with some confidence.
