Sporting Ennistymon Football Club Vs Avenue United – Premier Division
Avenue United made the trip to Lahinch in search of a third win from three games but would have to settle for a draw against a spirited Sporting Ennistymon side.
Last years Premier Division runners-up started the game well. Thomas Hehir a good chance early on who forced Joe Gallagher to make a good point-blank save. Conor Shannon then replaced Gallagher in goals. Shannon was immediately called into action producing a top-quality save in a 1v1 situation. The Ennis side were again close to going in front when an effort from Mark Roche struck the crossbar.
Despite the chances, it was Sporting who took the lead. Midfielder, Chris O’Keefe played a ball over the top which resulted in Ciaran McMahon setting up Sean McConigley. Tierney advanced from the Avenue goal and McConigley fired home from 25 yards.
Good defensive work from Tiernan Hogan, Ciaren Monaghan, Michael Leigh, Shane Kearney and Eoin Marrinan helped Sporting secure the 1 nil lead till the halftime whistle.
Action from the second half
Avenue began applying pressure after the break but again the Sporting defence stood solid. Tiernan Hogan did well to block an effort from Mark Roche on 48 minutes. The resulting corner found the head of an unmarked Cian O’Dea who headed over.
Hogan and McNamara linked up well down the right throughout the game. One instance saw a Tiernan Hogan cross cleared out for a corner by Avenue’s, Simon Cuddy. The corner crossed in by McNamara just had a little too much power and went resulted in an Avenue throw-in.
Ronan Kerins powerful shot was parried by Shannon and fell into the path of the onrushing Alan Roche who scored to equalise. Mark Roche scored shortly after to give Avenue the lead.
Sean McConigleys free-kick produced a fine save by Tierney in the Avenue goal.
Avenue’s Cuddy failed to deal with a Darren McNamara’s cross. Cuddy subsequently brought down Sean McConigley in the box for a penalty.
McConigley sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 2 all.
Avenue could’ve been ahead moments later after the left-back played through Gary Roche who struck low with his left foot but was denied by Conor Shannon again in the Sporting goals.
Sporting had a chance to nick it after a great delivery from Shane Kearney but Sean McConigley could not just do enough to turn it goalwards.
In the final seconds of the game, Sporting were awarded a free-kick which Thierry Buton struck just wide.
Full time in Lahinch. Sporting Ennistymon 2-2 Avenue United A
Team Sheet for Sporting Ennistymon F.C
Sporting XI: Joe Gallagher (Conor Shannon), Tiernan Hogan, Shane Kearney, Michael Leigh, Ciaren Monaghan (Thierry Buton), Eoin Marrinan, Ciaran McMahon (Jack O’Dea), Chris O’Keefe, Jamesy McConigley (Daragh Flynn), Sean McConigley, Darren McNamara.
Subs: Conor Shannon, Jack O’Dea, Thierry Buton, Darragh Flynn, Eanna Collins, James Keane, Gary Lafferty and Matthew Crowe.
Also, thanks very much to Joe McKeown Sports and Rynnes in Inagh for sponsoring a new kit for the men’s team. Please support our sponsors.