Buncrana Hearts advance following victory over Mullingar Athletic

Mullingar Athletic 1Buncrana Hearts 3

Buncrana Hearts from Donegal proved too strong and experienced for a very young Mullingar Athletic side in this FAI Junior Cup 3rd Round tie played in Gainstown, Mullingar, on Sunday afternoon last.

Hearts, from the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal, made the long journey to Mullingar, but went home the happier side with a hard earned 3-1 win under their belts.

It was the visitors that started the stronger side and settled quickly into their rhythm. The highlights of the first half saw Mullingar Athletic goalkeeper Trevor Martin produce three fine saves - the first of these a stunning finger tip save.

In the 21st minute Martin dived full length to his left to turn away Matty Browne’s shot that was destined for the net. In the five minutes that followed Martin also produced fine saves from Shaunie Bradley and again from Browne.

The Athletic defence were also under great pressure but some fine tackling by Ben Treanor and Oisin Tyrrell denied the visitors.

Athletic found it difficult to get their normal neat passing game going against a very physically strong Hearts side, and rarely threatened the Buncrana goals. But at half time it remained 0-0.

Goalkeeper Martin, having saved Athletic with some fine saves, then turned provider eight minutes into the second half. After Buncrana sub Jamie McDaid had missed a good chance, Martin kicked long where his delivery found Efe Siode in behind the Hearts defence and Siode finished to the net with a great low strike to give Athletic a 1-0 lead.

However Athletic’s joy was short lived. Just five minutes later Buncrana equalised. Good work down the left by Adam Curran saw Jamie McDaid turn the ball home from close range.

Thirteen minutes later and Buncrana had the lead. Matty Browne played Shaunie Bradley in behind the Athletic defence on the left edge of the box and Bradley scored with a neat finish into the far corner of the net.

Trevor Thompson’s side responded in positive fashion though and after a series of corners Oisin Tyrrell, Ben Treanor and sub Dillon Matthews almost scored but were denied by great blocks by the Buncrana defence.

Indeed, Athletic were continuing to press for an equaliser when Buncrana struck for their third goal two minutes from the end of normal time.

However, the goal was shrouded in some controversy. Athletic’s Ben Shaw was attacking inside the opposition’s penalty box when several Athletic players claimed a penalty for a hand ball by the Buncrana defender. But referee Sean Boyd waved play on and Buncrana broke quickly down field and used the wide open spaces to good effect with sub Sean Mullin setting up Kieran McDaid who calmly finished past Martin to make it 1-3.

Athletic continued to press late on but could not find a way through a stubborn Buncrana defence and at the end it was Buncrana who deservedly advanced to the fourth round.

Mullingar Athletic: Trevor Martin, Tadgh Nolan, Jake Costello, Oisin Tyrrell, Ben Treanor, Jamie Archibold, Bobby Archibold, Brian Kavanagh, Efe Siode, Ryan McCormack, Ben Shaw. Subs used: Dillon Matthews for Bobby Archibold (70), Johnny Keegan for Jake Costello (78), Ross Clinton for Efe Siode (85).

Buncrana Hearts: Taylor Clarke, Adam Curran, James Adair, Shaun McDermott, Kevin O’Loughlin, Calvin Gallagher, Kieran McDaid, Eoin Murphy, Shaunie Bradley, Christy McKinley, Matty Browne. Subs used: Conor Doherty for Eoin Murphy (injured, 33), Jamie McDaid for Christy McKinley (half time), Sean Mullan for Shaunie Bradley (70), Kian McGavery for Matty Browne (89), Nathan McEnfeff for Adam Curran (90+2).

Referee: Sean Boyd.