Carrigtwohill v Knockavilla 24.01.04

Carrigtwohillx v Knockavillax 24.01.04
Match details below
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 Carrigtwohill United 4 Knockavilla Celtic 0 (County Cup)

Third division high fliers Knockavilla Celtic came a cropper at Slatty Park on Saturday when they lost 4-0 in the Murphy’s Stout County Cup to first division hosts Carrigtwohill United whose first and last goals came from terrific crosses by left back Niall Kidney.

Celtic were under siege for most of the first half but it was just one nil at the break and the visitors were in with a chance. But they pressed the self-destruct button soon after the interval and the concession of two soft goals meant they were out of it long before sub Carl Sylvester stretched to make it 4-0 in the second last minute.

The visitors were split wide open in the 20^th minute when Kidney fired in a smashing cross from deep. Derek “Nozzle” Healy seemed to lull his marker into a false sense of security before jumping late to direct a looping header over a frantically back-pedalling keeper.

And Carrig came ever so close to a spectacular second in the 32^nd minute. Then a Mick Fitzgerald free was half cleared to Leonard Healy and his fantastic 20 yard volley flew like a rocket but crashed off the inside of the far post before bouncing across the goal to safety.

Carrig were now so much on top and so comfortable that their defence began to get a bit complacent. But the winners stretched their lead n the 53^rd minute; Adrian Hodnett was left totally unmarked a few yards from goal to finish off good work by Leonard Healy and Brian Barry.

It got even worse five minutes later. Then the back-line and keeper all converged on a long ball. Derek Healy saw his chance and got in among them to turn the ball into the empty net to make it 3-0.

There would be no consolation goal for the visitors though they did come close in the 81^st minute. Then Burke, who had faded after a bright opening, got in behind the defence. His effort though was well saved by keeper Kidney and his second was turned behind for a corner by Brian Nolan. Rob Walsh got his head to the corner ball but saw his effort go well over.

That final goal was left to sub Sylvester. Again the chance came from a quality cross from the left by Kidney and the sub went full stretch to turn it past keeper O’Brien from close in. O'Brien wasn't the only Knockavilla player relieved to hear the final whistle that was sounded soon afterwards by referee Larry Buckley.

Carrigtwohill United: Adrian Kidney, Cormac Carroll, Noel Gubbins, Brian Nolan, Michael Fitzgerald, David Barry, Niall Kidney, Adrian Hodnett, Derek Healy, Brian Barry and Leonard Healy. Subs used: Steven Moore for Barry (62^nd minute), Carl Sylvester and Colin O’Neill for Hodnett and Gubbins (both 77^th).

Knockavilla Celtic: Michael O’Brien, Brian Powell, John Canty, Barry Cullinane, Tony Shiels, John Burke, Damien O'Riordan, Rob Walsh, Garry O'Keeffe, David Murphy and Billy Powell. Subs used: Richie Butler for O’Keeffe (at half-time) and Jeremy Hurley for Brian Powell (61^st minute).

Referee: Larry Buckley.