Clonaslee United defeated in Division 1 Cup semi-final
Gaels Utd 3
Clonaslee Utd 0
CCFL Division 1 Cup Semi Final
Clonaslee United have missed out on a place in the CCFL Division 1 Cup Final having lost 3-0 to Gaels United on Saturday night. The pitch was in a state after a day of heavy rain and it seriously affected Clonaslee’s ability to get the ball down and play.
Gaels United of Drumlish, County Longford are five points clear of Saturday’s Division and look set to gain promotion to the Senior Division. They were always going to be a tough proposition for Clonaslee, who sit 5th in the Sunday division, but the reds would have expected to keep it closer than it turned out.
Clonaslee beat Shamrock Celtic of 4-1 in the quarter-final with James McRedmond, Cian Callaghan, Robert Downey and Joseph Dunne all on target. But the gulf was evident against Gaels, with Clonaslee being afforded very few clear-cut chances.
The sides met at a neutral venue in Brosna Park, Ferbane, home of newly crowned Division 1 Champions, Gallen United. There had been torrential rain right up until kick-off; it eased off a few minutes into the game, but the damage was done in terms of the surface. The pitch was beginning to cut up after half an hour and was somewhere between a bog and a swamp by the end.
It was a bright start from both teams without either creating anything clear-cut in the first ten minutes. Clonaslee had the game’s first big chance in the 12th minute when the ball pinballed around the six-yard box, but Gaels goalkeeper Ger Evans made three instinctive saves one after another.
Gaels broke the deadlock in the 18th minute when the ball broke loose at the edge of the Clonaslee box. Chad Kelly stabbed it through to Sean McCormack who beat Seamus Rosney all ends up.
There was great shape to Gaels United who played with impressive attacking patterns throughout the first half. They pressed for a second goal for the rest of the half and finally broke through for a second time with just a minute remaining in the half. Clonaslee failed to deal with an in-swinging corner, allowing Jay McBride to force the ball home at the near post.
Clonaslee had their chances in the first half as well. John Rigney and Josh Flynn were bringing the ball out from the back and looking good in midfield, but no one on the Clonaslee team could find that incisive pass to break through the defence.
Clonaslee again started the second half well but Gaels added their third of the evening on the hour mark. Their goalkeeper played a long ball over the top, inviting runners; Chad Kelly got there first and prodded past the oncoming Rosney.
Niall Hogan, Joe McRedmond and James McRedmond all brough good saves out of Evan in the Gaels net, but no consolation was forthcoming. Clonaslee will finish their season this week, with games on Wednesday away to Portlaoise and a trip to Westmeath on Sunday to play Inny.
SCORERS - Gaels Utd: Sean McCormack, Jay McBride, Chad Kelly.
CLONASLEE UTD: Seamus Rosney; Daire Hogan, John Rigney, Josh Flynn, Paddy Purcell; DJ Callaghan, Cian Callaghan; Niall Hogan, James McRedmond, JJ Kennedy; Joe McRedmond.
Subs: Paddy Hyland for Kennedy (44), Peter Doyle for Joe McRedmond and Marcus Dunne for N. Hogan (both 75), Joseph Dunne for James McRedmond (89).
GAELS UTD: Ger Evans; Jay McBride, Shane McArdle, Martin Tarmey, Ger Carbery; Jimmy Ruske, Niall Mulligan, Sean McCormack; Chad Kelly, Jordan Kelly, Michael McGuinness.
Subs: Jeremiah Idamor for McBride (66), Mark Rossittor for McGuinness (70), Dean Cosgrave for McCormack (76), Mick Kenny for Ruske (80), Pauric Ryan for Kelly (88).
REFEREE: Adam Burke.