Match Report: Tolka Rovers 1-0 Seaford Rock United
FAI Junior Cup
Seaford exited the FAI Junior Cup in the first round despite a spirited display against more illustrious opposition.
There had been nothing to choose between the teams in three previous meetings over the past two seasons, all ending in 1-1 draws, and Seaford will feel hard done by not to secure at least the same outcome this time after seeing a string of chances going begging during a second half which they largely bossed.
The first half was an even contest, with Seaford having plenty of possession but few clear-cut opportunities, although Harry Crowe was nearly put in by a Stephen Canavan cut-back and Canavan himself almost got in from a brilliant volleyed through-ball from Garrett Connolly, but Callum Atkinson raced off his line and managed to grab the ball at the very edge of his area.
At the other end, Joseph McDonnell slid in Conor McCarthy only for Cian McGuinness to block the winger's low shot, and it was McCarthy who also had the best chance of the half, shimmying past McGuinness but failing to produce a convincing shot, and Neil Howarth was able to block with his shins.
in the second half, Howarth again denied McCarthy, saving low to his right,but from that point Seaford enjoyed a spell of thorough dominance. Darragh Connolly had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock, but side-footed over the bar with the goal at his mercy after brilliant work from his little brother. Then the visitors' man-of-the-match Chris Monk curled a right-wing cross for Canavan, only for Atkinson to tip his header over the bar spectacularly.
The younger Connolly was running riot down the right for Seaford, linking up well with fullback Al Kennedy making his full debut, but Tolka hit the Penguins with a sucker-punch, scoring a slick goal on 72 minutes. Jet-heeled winger Colin Eccles broke the offside trap and produced a pinpoint cross for McDonnell who tapped in at the back post.
Seaford kept pressing for an equaliser, with the best chance falling to Harry Crowe, but he fired just over when put through one-on-one, and the Northsiders were able to hang on and book their place in the next round.
Seaford: Neil Howarth, Al Kennedy, Gavin Walsh (Robbie Creevy, 79), Stephen Kelly, Cian McGuinness, Fionn Lawlor , Chris Monk, Darragh Connolly. Garrett Connolly (MJ Tierney, 81), Harry Crowe , Stephen Canavan
Tolka Rovers: Callum Atkinson, Alan Daly, Thomas Dunne, Eamon Moylan, Graham Flanagan, Robert McGuinness (Owen Humphrey, 82), Colin Eccles, Edward Keoghan, Luke Somers (Denis Kinlan, 72), Joseph McDonnell, Conor McCarthy. Goal: McDonnell (72)
Celtic Park, 28 September 2019
There had been nothing to choose between the teams in three previous meetings over the past two seasons, all ending in 1-1 draws, and Seaford will feel hard done by not to secure at least the same outcome this time after seeing a string of chances going begging during a second half which they largely bossed.
The first half was an even contest, with Seaford having plenty of possession but few clear-cut opportunities, although Harry Crowe was nearly put in by a Stephen Canavan cut-back and Canavan himself almost got in from a brilliant volleyed through-ball from Garrett Connolly, but Callum Atkinson raced off his line and managed to grab the ball at the very edge of his area.
At the other end, Joseph McDonnell slid in Conor McCarthy only for Cian McGuinness to block the winger's low shot, and it was McCarthy who also had the best chance of the half, shimmying past McGuinness but failing to produce a convincing shot, and Neil Howarth was able to block with his shins.
in the second half, Howarth again denied McCarthy, saving low to his right,but from that point Seaford enjoyed a spell of thorough dominance. Darragh Connolly had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock, but side-footed over the bar with the goal at his mercy after brilliant work from his little brother. Then the visitors' man-of-the-match Chris Monk curled a right-wing cross for Canavan, only for Atkinson to tip his header over the bar spectacularly.
The younger Connolly was running riot down the right for Seaford, linking up well with fullback Al Kennedy making his full debut, but Tolka hit the Penguins with a sucker-punch, scoring a slick goal on 72 minutes. Jet-heeled winger Colin Eccles broke the offside trap and produced a pinpoint cross for McDonnell who tapped in at the back post.
Seaford kept pressing for an equaliser, with the best chance falling to Harry Crowe, but he fired just over when put through one-on-one, and the Northsiders were able to hang on and book their place in the next round.
Seaford: Neil Howarth, Al Kennedy, Gavin Walsh (Robbie Creevy, 79), Stephen Kelly, Cian McGuinness, Fionn Lawlor , Chris Monk, Darragh Connolly. Garrett Connolly (MJ Tierney, 81), Harry Crowe , Stephen Canavan
Tolka Rovers: Callum Atkinson, Alan Daly, Thomas Dunne, Eamon Moylan, Graham Flanagan, Robert McGuinness (Owen Humphrey, 82), Colin Eccles, Edward Keoghan, Luke Somers (Denis Kinlan, 72), Joseph McDonnell, Conor McCarthy. Goal: McDonnell (72)
Celtic Park, 28 September 2019