Bearna na Forbacha 2-1 Kinvara Utd - Sun 3rd April 2022
A crunch match in the race for survival in the Under 17’s Premier League saw Kinvara come undone to a deserved victory for home side Bearn na Forbacha.
The game played in a beautiful part of Galway to welcoming hosts took place in sunny but windy conditions. Kinvara were rocked by the news of Padraig Pearl’s foot injury and 8-week absence, which was compounded by the fact that captain Adam Noone was missing for this match also. Dylan Corcoran moved into midfield with Dan Corless coming back into the side to accompany him. Lorcan Heavy, Jamie Gunning and Conor Murphy completed the back 3. With plenty of quality in the squad Kinvara still would have hoped for a better result.
The game started with both teams struggling with the windy conditions and the football played was not one for the purists. Both teams struggled to retain possession and the game lacked a pattern of play. Both teams threatened from long range but both keepers were rarely tested with Cathal Corless looking assured in goal.
The best early chance fell to Mark Costello, a fine run and cross from Aran Waterhouse on the left saw an unmarked Costello arriving late at the back post. His first-time finish was slightly scuffed and the Bearna keeper dealt with the attempt with little fuss.
The first goal went to Kinvara. A free kick from distance hit by stand-in captain Cormac Ivers was initially saved by the keeper but Jason Carr was following up like all good strikers do and finished well from close range. Joe Corless was taking down some lovely balls with an assured first touch in midfield, but Utd couldn’t link up the play to help him. Bearna’s number 11 and 9 were a constant threat with both players producing some lovely runs.
About 10 minutes from half time Bearna equalized. A sloppy free kick given away on the edge of the box was well struck. Corless got a hand to it but could only deflect into the patch of the onrushing striker who finished well. Half time and 1-1.
Kinvara made 2 changes at half time. Matthew Meares came in for Corless in Midfield and Gunning made way for Oisin Keegan at the back.
The first 15 minutes of the 2nd half saw Utd have their best spell of the game. This resulted in a controversial moment for the away team. A fine run from Carr saw him pull the ball back to Costello who finished brilliantly at the back post, however the referee gave an offside which was a a contentious decision in a game that was refereed well overall.
This was a wake-up moment for Bearna who dominated the remaining 30 mins. Utd tried to stem the tide by bringing on David McWilliams for Joe Corless. While McWilliams improved the situation Utd would only blame themselves for the eventual winner from the home side. Having hit the cross bar 3 times and threatened from corners it was a corner that produced the winning moment. United failed to clear their lines and the Bearna striker pounced on a loose ball to poke home past the stranded Corless.
After that Kinvara’s best efforts came from an Ivers well struck free kick and his long-distance shooting. As United pushed forward they were caught on the break. Heavy who was having a fine game at center back caught the Bearna forward inside the box, stone wall penalty. Lucky for Kinvara the peno was stuck well but wide of the post.
The game finished 2-1 to the home side, Kinvara’s Premier League status looking uncertain but it’s not over yet! Bearna well deserved winners but United left wondering what could have been if their goal hadn’t been chalked off to go 2-1 up.
Next up Cregmore at home in another massive game for Kinvara.
Kinvara Utd: Cathal Corless, Jamie Gunning, Lorcan Heavy, Conor Murphy, Aran Waterhouse, Mark Costello, Dan Corless, Dylan Corcoran, Cormac Ivers (c), Joe Corless, Jason Carr. Subs Matthew Meares, Oisin Keegan, David McWilliams.
Coaches: Paul Canning, Ronan Flynn