FOOTBALL: Bonagee United have bravely bowed out of the SFAI Cup at the hands of Corinthians FC in their quarter-final clash earlier this afternoon.
Bonagee had a long way to travel and stayed overnight in Cork on Friday evening.
They arrived at the ground confident and knew they had to play well to beat a very good Corinthians side.
The game started with Bonagee on the back foot, with Corinthians starting brightly with everything positive about their play being dictated through their No.9 and star player.
He was a constant threat but David Smith was superb in the Bonagee defence. A couple of early chances materialised for the Cork side, but they never threatened the Bonagee rear-guard.
But soon it would change, a good cross was met with a good strong header, and forced Bonagee keeper Adrian McLaughlin to scramble across his line to make an outstanding save.
Not his only big save, he was forced into action shortly after and then made another save and then saved the follow up with his feet to put it past his post.
In reality Bonagee could have been 2 or 3 down.
After a slow start Bonagee got going and started moving the ball quicker, it gave them a opportunity in this game, but never created a big chance to score. They created a couple of half chances but nothing that troubled the Cork keeper.
Bonagee them worked hard around the middle and with Dylan Woods, Ronan McKinley in the middle along with Jack Murphy pulling the strings, trying to get the likes of Finian O’Donnell, Keelan Collier and Adam Murphy into the game.
Bonagee went in at half time and had their defence and keeper McLaughlin to thank.
Bonagee had a big loss at half time losing full back Cian McMonagle and he was replaced by Ben Gallagher.
The team was re-jagged which saw Kieran Tobin move to midfield and McKinley to right-back.
Bonagee now started to work and play without creating any clear cut chances, they still looked good.
Then once again, the outstanding Adrian McLaughlin pulled off a superb save knocking it over the bar.
When Jack Murphy latched on to a pass to find Finian O’Donnell whose effort looked to have chipped the keeper, somehow he managed to palm it over his bar.
The game went on with no real chances and a lot of the ball around the middle.
Then with 10 mins left to go the turning point occurred – captain Ronan McKinley was dismissed.
After the ball being played through the Bonagee keeper rushed on to it and collected but was then taking out by the Corinthians striker.
The Bonagee players were not to pleased, and then McKinley was accused of aggressive language and was shown a straight red, the Corinthians striker only picked up a yellow card which left Bonagee furious.
The game went on and as soon as the sending of Corinthians capitalized and then with their left winger who looked like a threat all day had a couple off half chances in a row saved by Bonagee net minder and but then dunked it over to score the all important goal.
This was a real killer for Bonagee and then started to lose their discipline with 5 mins left on the clock Bonagee could have snatched something but couldn’t manage it and at the end a small fight between the sides ensued.
This didn’t reflect on the game and Bonagee feel they let themselves down.
On another day Bonagee could have got a better result but a lack of disapline cost them near the end.
They can keep their heads up and what a great achievement it was to get to an All-Ireland quarter-final.
In what’s a long run home for the boys, they still have league, cup and champions league to look forward to.
Bonagee team managed by Brendan Carolan, Ray Murphy and Nigel Woods can be proud of their boys and they would like to wish Corinthians all the best of luck in the next round.
Bonagee; Adrian McLaughlin, Cian mcMonagile, David smith, Kieran Tobin, josh mc cullagh, Dylan woods, Ronan mc kinely (c), Jack Murphy, Adam Murphy, keelan collier, finanan o Donnell. SUBS; Ben Gallagher for mcMonagile (half time) Shaun tinney for collier ( 56 mins). Also injured ; Ciaran Gallagher and Eoin Dowling.
