Glengad United emphatically won 4-0 in their FAI Junior Cup clash at the Crua Grounds in North Donegal against County Offaly’s Birr Town.
Glengad United 4 Birr Town 0
Report by Charlie Collins at Crua Grounds, Glengad.
Four goals from John Gerard, Connor Barrow (x2) and James McKinney were more than enough to secure a spot in the last 16 of the competition.
In blustery conditions, Glengad set a furious pace and could have been well in front before the midway point of the half.
Birr Town were chancing luck on several occasions and should have been well behind with their defence in sixes and sevens.
The first Glengad attack came after the first minute, which skimmed just wide of the post following a Christy Fildara McLoughlin’s shot from distance.
In fact, Birr’s goalkeeper Conor Hogan looked indomitable at times in the opening 25 minutes, but the deadlock was finally broken by the Donegal side just before the half an hour mark.
John Gerard gave United the lead with a powerful header following Terence Doherty’s good work to win a corner.
From there, Glengad took real control in the cup clash scoring two more goals before half time.
After 32 minutes, Matthew Byrne caught the County Offaly sides’ defence out of shape, which proved beneficial for Conor Barrow, who scored from an acute angle.
Going in at the break, Glengad had a comfortable 2-0 advantage but Birr Town handed Glengad the game following a calamity of mistakes.
On the attack, there was excellent interplay between several United players before an inviting cross was delivered into the danger area. Failing to clear the imminent threat, James McKinney did brilliantly to hammer the ball home – game over.
Playing for pride, Birr Town had their first real chance just after the hour mark.
David Cox’s got himself into an excellent position for the Town, but Daniel Mullarkey pulled off an excellent stoppage to save United’s clean sheet.
With ten minutes left, Glengad emphatically finished their opponents off with a fourth goal.
Conor Barrow secured his second when Glengad went on the counter-attack and Fildara played a sublime cross along the penalty area for Barrow to send towards the roof of the net.
It finished off an impressive performance from Shane Byrne’s side who could be a dark horse in this year’s competition.
Teams
Glengad United: Daniel Mullarkay, James McKinney, Seamus Doherty, John G McLaughlin, Matthew Byrne, Adam Byrne, Stephen McLoughlin, Michael Byrne (Dillan Ruddy 86′), Terence Doherty, Conor Barrow (Paddy McDermott 85′), Christy McLaughlin (Cathal McDaid 81′).
Birr Town: Conor Hogan, C King, Joe Kelly, Kieth McEvay, Barry Harding, Paul Egan, Dean Cahill 9Peter Maher 85′), David McEvoy (Willie Hanlon 70′), Mickey Molly (Ryan Walker 78′), David Cox, Johnny Corbay (Finn Dempsey 85′).
Referee: Warren Harvey
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