Missed chances haunt Nenagh in Munster Junior Cup exit
SOCCER: Limerick District League Review
By Pat Sheehan
Munster Junior Cup 4th Round
Tramore AFC 3-1 Nenagh AFC
Nenagh AFC faced a difficult assignment away to Tramore in the fourth round of the Munster Junior Cup, but despite dominating possession crashed out to the Waterford side on a 3-1 scoreline.
The visitors were well in control early on but were caught on a quick breakaway when Sam Sheppard gave the home side the lead inside ten minutes.
Nenagh responded well and got back on level terms midway through the half. A great run by Dan O’Meara put in Pa Steed who finished from a tricky angle.
They could have taken the lead when good build up play put O’Meara in but he was narrowly wide. Saeed Ryan was denied twice, once by the post and then by a good save from the home keeper.
After the restart, Dylan Morrison went close with a couple of efforts before the hosts made Nenagh rue their misses when a mistake at the back allowed Sam Sheppard to restore Tramore’s lead midway through the half.
Nenagh had a big call for a penalty when Dan O’Meara was upended but the officials ignored the pleas of the visitors. Aaron Cusack blazed over from close range after Morrison’s effort was blocked.
With Nenagh pushing forward they were caught on the break ten minutes from time when Charlie Binions scored the all-important third goal.
A missed penalty later on summed up Nenagh’s afternoon, who on another day could have won with a bit to spare.
Nenagh AFC: Carl Williams; Colm Hayden; Craig Hilmi; Kieran Barr; Bryan McGee; Pa Steed; Matt O'Gorman; Saeed Ryan; Dan O'Meara; Dylan Morrison; Daniel Connolly. Subs: Mike O'Gorman; Conor Hanniffy; Adam Ryan; Aaron Cusack.
Elsewhere in the Munster Junior Cup, former Nenagh player Ryan Gilmartin was on the mark for Regional United in a 2-0 win over Ballingarry.
Another former Nenagh player, Kian Mitchell, scored directly from a corner kick to put Geraldines ahead versus Peake Villa. The game finished 4-4 with the Limerick side progressing after a penalty shoot-out.
In the Munster U17 Cup, Goals from David Rowland, J Landers, R Gaffney, W Meehan and M O'Shea saw Newport Town past Murroe ‘B’ 5-2. John Blackwell and C Connolly replied for the losers.