Ongar Rovers (1) v Glasnevin FC (2)
Maher Cup 1st Round
Venue: Ongar
Date: 20th February 2010

Glasnevin turned they’re attentions to the Maher Cup for the Saturday fixture against Ongar Rovers. On the back of they’re best form this season, they went into this game high on confidence and eager to progress in the last cup competition this season.
With a number of players unavailable to Dan Daly, he made a few changes to the team that beat Shelbourne FC last week. In came Ian Daly at left back, Robbie O’Neill in front of him on the left wing and Ciaran McKenna also came in for his debut upfront alongside Brian Blood.
The Diggers got off to a perfect start when straight from the kick off, Karl Hearns sent a lovely ball forward for the rushing Keith Kearns who managed to get there before the keeper to the send the ball into the net after roughly 5 seconds of play. A fantastic start to the game and the Diggers continued on from there and attacked the hosts at will, using the wings to particular effect at times. Keith Kearns was proving to be a real torn in the side and at every opportunity ran down the home defence, giving the Ongar left back a torrid time.
The Diggers didn’t have to wait long to get they’re second goal of the goal and after some good work by Ciaran McKenna, he flicked the ball onto Karl Hearns who slotted home from close range to open up the lead. Glasnevin only looked like adding to that tally afterwards and they pressed forward at every chance.
The first half was held up for a while when an Ongar player had to receive treatment for a nasty injury to his foot, which left him a gaping hole left by a Karl Hearns stud. On resumption of the game, Ongar seemed to find they’re way into the game a little bit more and managed to get a few testing shots in on goal. However despite a few ropey moments from the Diggers, they managed to hold firm until half time.
The second saw the Away team lose a bit of momentum and maybe concentration, thinking the game was beyond the home team. That loss of concentration was evident in the goal that got the home team back into the game. Slack play in midfield saw the ball turned over and other opportunities to get the ball away failed. The ball eventually came into the box, keeper Alan McHue got a hand to the ball only for it to spill to out and deflect of Willie Byrne onto the post and eventually the Ongar striker managed to bundle the ball over the line.
The home side, clearly buoyed by the goal started to press further and whilst they where in on the wings they failed to really threaten the goal seriously. From an Ongar attack, Robbie O’Neill got hold of the ball and a beautiful ball from defence found Karl Hearns who was able to run clear of the home defence only to blast his shot over the bar.
Manager Dan Daly had seen enough and decided to make 3 substitutions in quick succession to try and inject some life into the team. Off came Brian Blood, Ciaran McKenna and Robbie O’Neill for James Lynch, Mark McAuley and Sean Johnston. The subs meant a re-shuffle of the pack for the Diggers. Karl Hearns and Keith Kearns went up top; Eddie Riley went onto the Right wing with Daryl Slein moving into midfield alongside Willie Byrne. McAuley and Johnston slotted into the centre and right of defence with Lynch taking up O’Neill’s spot on the left of midfield.
The changes had a near immediate effect and Hearns and Kearns causing the Ongar defence numerous problems. Hearns found himself clear again on two occasions but failed to get that goal that would kill off the game. Kearns meanwhile did well to release Riley on the right wing twice but his crossing was poor when it was needed.
Ongar came close once or twice in the final 10 minutes but McHue was equal to what came at him and the introduction of McAuley and Johnston in the defence restricted the home side to anything of note.
The final chance of the game was to the Diggers, Riley was again given the ball out the right and after cutting back he sent in a left footed cross to the feet of Hearns who turned and shot well only to see his shot go agonisingly wide. The referee blew up from the resulting goal kick to send the Diggers into the next round of the cup.
The Diggers follow up this win with a home fixture against Rivermeade in the league next Saturday.

Team:

Alan McHue (GK)

Ian Daly (LB)
Colin Daly (CB)
Daryl Slein (CB)
Eddie Riley (RB)

Robbie O’Neill (LM)
Willie Byrne (Mid)
Karl Hearns (Mid)
Keith Kearns (RM)

Ciaran McKenna (FW)
Brian Blood (FW)

Substitutes:
Sean Johnston
Paddy Byrne
James Lynch
Mark McCauley