U-19
U-19 2011/2012
MATCH REPORTS
FAI Umbro Youths Challenge Cup - Round 3
PAFC 4 v 0 Moyne Rangers (Wexford)
(Scorers: McCabe 2, McGrath, Monnelly)
Saturday 19th November 2011, Leisure Centre, Portlaoise
On Saturday last PAFC Youths took on Moyne Rangers, from Wexford, in the 3rd round of the LFA Cup in the Portlaoise Leisure Centre.
The game was played in terrible conditions, as rain fell throughout. However, PAFC turned on the style with a superb performance, all the more impressive when they were down to 12 players through injuries and unavailability.
The locals started on the front foot and created several half chances before opening the scoring on 17 minutes. Dylan McCabe raced onto a superb through ball from Liam Swayne and after beating his man, he had the coolness to chip the ball over the advancing keeper for the opener. The lead was doubled within a few minutes when Garret McGrath powered home a header from a corner. Towards the end of the 1st half Moyne Rangers, to their credit, had the home side under pressure and would have halved the deficit but for a fine finger tip save from Shane Keane right at the death from a free kick on the edge of the box.
Into the 2nd half, the game was fairly even with both sides intent on scoring. PAFC had stand in centre half, Shane Brophy, to thank for keeping the Moyne attack at bay. The next goal in this tie was always going to be crucial and it duly arrived for the hosts when Dylan McCabe fired home to put the home side firmly in control. The game as a contest was now over but the scoring wasn't. Striker Enda Monnelly deserves great credit on his first full 90 minutes following injury, for chasing down a loose back pass and finishing to the net to round things off.
It would be impossible to single anyone out as this was a great team performance from PAFC. They may be having a tough time in the league, but they are saving their special performances for the cup competitions and in 2 weeks time they will travel to either Ardmore Rovers or Greystones in the 4th Round of the FAI Youths Cup.
Team: Keane, Delaney, McGrath, Brophy, Downey (Techera 45), McCabe, McPherson, Ging, Comerford, Swayne, Monnelly.