Glasnevin FC (2) v (2) Raheny FC (2-1 after Penalties)
Maher Cup 2nd Round
Venue: Albert Collage
Date: 13th March 2010

Goalkeeper Alan McHugh was the hero of the day as his four penalty saves sent the Diggers through to the quarter finals of the Maher Cup on Saturday.
Glasnevin got off to a disastrous start as stand in centre back Willie Byrne was caught on his in the opening minutes as a ball over the top found the feet of a nippy Raheny forward who managed to force the ball over the line despite the diggers defender doing his best to clear the ball off the line.
The home side didn’t let that early set back deter them from they’re game though and straight away they attacked they’re division 1 counterparts. McKenna and Blood where looking lively up front, McKenna turning his markers on every occasion and making good use of the ball to feed the wings. Karl Hearns and Kenny McLoughlin where also controlling the midfield to push the Diggers on in search of they’re equaliser.
They came very close to getting that goal when a stunning 30 yard strike from Brian Blood was tipped onto the bar by the away keeper with the ball coming back down to hit the bar a second time before bouncing out to safety.
Raheny where on the back foot and the home side continued to press ahead for a goal and just after the half hour they found the back of the net. After a good move forward, Keith Kearns sent a lovely ball in from the right to the head of Ciaran McKenna who finished with a sublime header into the corner of the net to give the keeper no chance.
Raheny heads where down from and you sensed they had lost they’re chance in the game, especially as the Diggers pressed more and more for that second goal before half time. But the game was turned on its head a few minutes before the break when a after a challenge on the edge of the Raheny box, McKenna was elbowed in the face by a Raheny defender. McKenna retaliated with a punch of his own leaving the referee with no choice but to send both players off. The decision had a huge bearing on the rest of the game and left the Diggers playing a 4-4-1 with Blood up front on his own.
Both sides went in level at the break and the second half kicked off with either side struggling to get they’re games going again. Raheny stuck with 2 attackers up front, but the lack of bodies in the midfield prevented them getting hold of the ball enough to feed them. Though on occasion, Raheny’s main menace, number 7 used his pace and skill to give the diggers defence plenty to think about. The Glasnevin defence was holding very well, with Sean Johnston in particular having an outstanding game shutting out everything that came his way. Byrne also recovered well from his opening nightmare to forge a good partnership with Colin Daly in the centre of defence.
Brian Blood was finding it difficult to get any possession up front on his own, finding himself chasing down over played passes on many occasions. When O’Neill and Kearns did get clear on the wings, the final ball into ball just missed out each time, to the frustration of Blood who despite his hard work couldn’t make his mark on the game.
Dan Daly made a change to give a bit of energy up front, introducing Jake Warren for Brian Blood. Raheny also made changes, going 3 at the back and bolstering the midfield to give a 3-4-2 formation for the remainder of the game. The introduction of warren gave an immediate boost to the Diggers and his pace and dribbling ability gave the 3 Raheny defenders problems straight away.
Glasnevin had been causing problems all day with they’re deliveries from corners with Kenny McLoughlin’s dead ball skills nearly always finding a Glasnevin head. Raheny somehow managed to get the ball clear on each occasion though.
McLoughlin was in the thick of the action again when he had the chance to win the tie for the home side but his overhead kick rebounded of the post to the Digger’s frustration. Neither side could get a winner and the game was set for extra time.
Glasnevin made a change, introducing James Lynch for Robbie O’Neill who will be delighted to have completed 90 minutes after his long injury nightmare to his knee. Lynch slotted into O’Neill’s left midfield position and straight away his bite and freshness caused a tiring defence a lot of problems.
Raheny however got themselves a goal, against the run of play as well. After a move down the Glasnevin left hand side was broken up, Raheny sent a long clearance straight back down the wing. The Diggers defence and keeper got themselves into a right mix when it seemed the ball could have been cleared on a number of occasions; however the Raheny attacker couldn’t believe his luck when he was able to slide the ball home for his side’s second goal.
James Lynch had a glorious opportunity to level the scores when McLoughlin sent in another fine corner kick, the loose ball fell to him. With his back to goal and only 3 yards out, he turned and shot only to see the ball somehow go wide to the amazement of everyone including the Ref! At this stage the Digger’s had change formation again, pushing Karl Hearns up front alongside Warren and Willie Byrne to his normal birth in midfield, leaving a 3 main defence to cope with the away attackers. Raheny reacted to this by reverting to a 5-3-1 to try and hold onto they’re lead.
The start of the second half of extra time saw the home side dominate proceedings, with the away side happy to shut up shop and try and hold out for the remaining ten minutes. They did well to snuff out Glasnevin’s attacks for the first 6 minutes, however they final succumbed to another fine McLoughlin corner kick. A beautiful delivery from the aforementioned found the head of James Lynch who rose tallest amongst everyone header to power a header past the covering defender on the line to send the team and sideline into raptures.
Neither side could find that 3rd and winning goal to seal the game and so the referee blew his whistle to bring the game into penalties.
Up stepped hero of the day Alan McHugh who got down superbly well to save 4 out of 5 penalties to send his side through 2-1 after Colin Daly, Karl Hearns had put they’re spot kicks away. Keith Kearns and Sean Johnston missed they’re kicks and Kenny McLoughlin was saved having to take his after McHugh’s heroics.
So the Diggers march on into the quarter finals with a date in the final firmly within they’re sights at this stage.

Team:

Alan McHugh (GK)

Padraig Tansey (LB)
Colin Daly (CB)
Willie Byrne (CB)
Sean Johnston (RB)

Robbie O’Neill (LM)
Kenny McLoughlin (Mid)
Karl Hearns (Mid)
Keith Kearns (RM)

Ciaran McKenna (FW)
Brian Blood (FW)

Substitutes:
Eddie Riley
Rafael Nunes
Jake Warren
James Lynch