Luckless Nenagh bow out
Stella Maris 4
Nenagh AFC 1
Nenagh AFC Youths travelled to Drumcondra in Dublin last Sunday to take on Stella Maris in the last 16 of the FAI Youth Cup.
The game was played in very windy conditions which Nenagh played into in the first half. Having been knocked out in the last 16 of the National Cup at Under 16 and Under 17 level, the team were hoping that this would be third time lucky. Unfortunately, it was not to be.
The game started badly for Nenagh when after only two minutes, defenders Liam Hogan and Matthew O’Gorman clashed heads as both attempted to head an in-coming cross clear. Hogan was unable to continue and was replaced by Sean McInerney who changed positions with winger Sean Dunne.
The loss of Hogan was felt almost immediately and the usually dependable Nenagh defence were struggling to find their composure. In the sixth minute, a Stella Maris attack found their striker unmarked in the penalty box and he left goalkeeper Stephen Mulvihill with no chance.
Nenagh started to dominate the game and created a number of chances, the most notable fell to Craig Gleeson whose shot went just wide in the twelfth minute.
In the 28th minute, Nenagh midfielder Sean Hayes was brought down in the box but the referee did not award the penalty, allowing play to continue. Two minutes later, great play by winger Danny Mosei allowed him to escape his marker. His diagonal cross to Sean Hayes was hit on the volley, only for it to go just wide of the target.