Iorras Aontaithe have booked their place in the last 16 of the F.A.I. Umbro Junior Cup for the first time in the Club’s 25 year history, by beating the competitions second favourites, Pike Rovers of Limerick in a 5 goal thriller at Carnenash Park on Sunday 1st February. The first half was devoid of any real excitement with the visitors having a lot of position, but seldom threatening Shane Nallen in the Iorras goal. But it was not until the stroke of half time when Pike Rovers took the lead when Irish Junior International, Keith Heartnett hit a great shot from 20 yards deep into the left corner of the Iorras goal. In the second half Iorras started with all guns blasting with Brendan Nallen and Stephen Carolan combining to set up Eric Reilly for the equalizing goal right from the kick off. But Iorras joy was short lived when 90 seconds later Pikes Rovers, John Boyle restored the lead to the visitors. Again the Iorras boys were un rattled and on 19 minutes Jonathan Donohue latched on to Eric Reilly’s quick thinking free and his finishing was clinical. The home crowd were driving on their team with every moment and on the 70th minute Carnenash park went wild when Brendan Nallen’s free was nodded on by Stephen Carolan and his pass found the in rushing Jonathan Donohue for the all important lead goal and the home crowd cheer could be heard at Eagle Island Lighthouse with emotions at an all time high. On the field the visitors were losing their composer and with the clock ticking down they threw every think at Iorras with the result Pike’s Martin O’Neil was shown the red card for a goal mouth incident. But in the end Iorras held on to book their place in the last 16 for the first time in the Club’s short 25 year history. It was a great team performance especially the back to the wall defending in the dying moments when the Iorras back four of David Reilly, Henry Gaughan, John Gaughan and Liam Donohue had to be at their best, keeping in mind that this Pike Rovers had 6 Junior International in their side. The final score was Iorras Aontaithe 3 Pike Rovers 2.
Team. Shane Nallen, David Reilly, Henry Gaughan, John Gaughan, Liam Donohue, Brendan Nallen, Stephen Carolan, Anthony Mills, Pat Barrett, Eric Reilly and Jonathan Donohue. Sub Used. Garth O’Malley for Eric Reilly (76), Stephen Nallen for Jonathon Donohue (91)
The two photos show the jubilant scene in the Iorras dressing room (Excuse the camera shack) and the Iorras defensive paring enjoying an after match reflective moment with Player-Manager, Eric Reilly and club Secretary Harry Reilly formulating the down fall of the clubs next opponents.
Feb 01 2009