Bonagee United will be in the draw for the 2nd Round of the FAI Senior Cup for the first time in the club’s history after this impressive home victory of Limerick Intermediate side Pike Rovers at the Showgrounds.
Bonagee Utd 6
Pike Rovers 0
By Charlie Collins
They will know their opponents in the second round once the draw is made on Tuesday. Jason Gibson’s team were much the better side throughout, the visitors’ cause not helped by the early sending off of midfielder Stephen McCann.
The home went close to giving themselves a great start with a double chance in the 5th minute. Michael Funston made a super run down the left side and cut-back onto his right foot before unleashing a cracking shot which keeper Sean Moroney tipped over the bar.
Stephen Black’s corner caused problems and Jamie Lynagh might have done better when the loose ball dropped at his feet but shot over the bar.
Five minutes later, another ball into the Pike Rovers box was dealt with but Gareth Harkin just couldn’t get enough power in his shot to trouble Moroney.
However, the home side finally took the lead they had threatened in the 15th minute.
Funston’s pass found Conor Black and his cross-cum shot deceived the keeper and curled into the far top corner to give Bonagee a deserved lead.
Pike responded well and created a chance with a good move down the left side, but Aaron Murphy just couldn’t get enough power on his touch from six yards and Jamie Lynagh averted the danger.
Conor Black went close again in the 25th minute, Gareth Harkin slid a lovely pass inside full -back Ed O’Donovan. Black’s first touch allowed him to find a bit of space and his low shot had Moroney getting down quickly to deny him.
The visitors were dealt another huge blow in the 31th minute when Stephen McCann got a straight Red card for a strong tackle on Bonagee full-back Mark Harkin.
The midfielder came in pace and out of control and could have little complaint with Referee Packie Coll’s choice of card.
Six minutes later another blow for the visitors. Conor Black was fouled just outside the penalty area and Michael Doherty curled the resulting free-kick around the wall and inside Moroney’s near post, 2-0 and Bonagee in control.
It got even better in the 41st minute. Black set up Michael Doherty who should have scored but miss-timed his shot but Bonagee recycled the ball immediately and Tony McNamee drilled a cracker which gave the keeper no chance, 3-0 and one would think game over .
That’s how the first-half ended, with Bonagee’s place in the next round looking assured.
Second Half
That was confirmed two minutes into the second-half when the former Finn Harps trio combined with Gareth Harkin’s cross, Michael Funston’s downward header and Tony McNamee’s finish making it 4-0 .
Both teams made a number of changes either side of the hour mark , an indication perhaps that as a contest this game was done and dusted.
Bonagee added a fifth goal in the 72nd minute, Michael Doherty’s delivery from a corner on the left was excellent and Jamie Lynagh’s header into the top corner even better, giving new keeper Ryan Manning no chance.
Conor Black, who was excellent throughout, added Bonagee’s sixth in the 83rd minute.
Aidan McLaughlin found Michael Doherty in space, he laid off a lovely pass into the path of Black, who still had plenty to do as he raced into the penalty box under pressure from two defenders and despite a slight push from behind Black kept both his balance and composure to slid the ball home and round off a super day for Bonagee United.
Bonagee Utd ; Oisin Cannon John Roulston 80mins), Mark Harkin, Jamie Lynagh , Peter Carr ( Duncan Patterson 65mins), , Stephen Black , Gareth Harkin ( Sean Hume 65mins), Micheal Funston ( Aiden McLaughlin 80mins), , Dan O Donnell, Michael Doherty , Tony McNamee (Noah Barrett 55mins), Conor Black.
Pike Rovers ; Sean Moroney ( Ryan Manning 60mins), Edward O’Donovan , Danny O Neill , , Sean Madigan , Robbie Williams , Eoin O Hanrahan , Nathan O Callaghan ( Diarmuid Grimes 60mins), Kevin Barry , Aaron Murphy ( Adam Fitzgerald 60mins), Stephen McCann , John Connery .
Referee ; Packie Coll.
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