Bertolo strike sees Coláiste Mhuire through to semi-finals

Coláiste Mhuire 1, Wexford CBS 0

A well-taken goal inside the opening minutes from classy winger, Antonio Bertolo, gave Coláiste Mhuire Mullingar victory in the FAI Leinster ‘A’ Cup quarter-final over Wexford CBS in Mullingar Athletic FC last Friday afternoon.

In a game which saw plenty of chances on both sides, Wexford will wonder how they did not take at least one of their many opportunities. In contrast, the Mullingar first years can look to sterling performances from Darragh Orme, Liam Doyle, and Cian McDonnell, among others, as the reason for holding out in a tough final quarter.

Unfortunately, the visiting teachers on the sideline and several of the Wexford players took their anger out vocally on referee Damien McCormack at full-time, which soured the outcome somewhat.

In a showery and breezy Gainstown it was Bertolo who had the first shot after he intercepted Matthew O’Brien and went on a run. The tempo of the game was lively from the off and after spells of end-to- end long-balls, the home side found what would be the only goal of the game with the first real clear-cut chance. Jack McNamee played the ball forward where Patrick Wallace’s flick sent Bertolo through. He had the calmness to round the keeper, take a touch, and drill home beyond the defenders on the line, the Wexford sideline calling for offside in the first of their many disputes throughout the game.

It was almost two soon after but Wallace’s low, drilled cross was cleared just over his own crossbar by Luke Driscoll. The resulting corner saw captain Orme’s header tipped wide wonderfully by Alex Dodd. The Wexford shot-stopper proving his worth on several occasions. At the other end, the boys from the southeast began to grow into the game and Driscoll almost found a goal but his header was kept out by Cathal Donoghue. Two shots in as many minutes from Wallace and Oisín Keena were both kept out by Dodd before Wexford came within inches of levelling on 18 minutes. A fine corner from Tyler Gainfort was met by Alfie Doyle, the striker’s header hitting the crossbar and bouncing down before being cleared.

Just before the half-time whistle, Liam Murphy almost levelled but his chance was matched by Donoghue. 1-0 at the break.

Murphy could and should have brought Wexford CBS level right after the interval but he skewed wide of the near post from eight-yards with the goal at his mercy after being teed up by Doyle. Under ever-increasing pressure, Coláiste Mhuire were fighting to stay ahead as more Wexford chances came and went from Darragh Hayes and Driscoll. Iarlaith Sweeney and Liam Doyle were heavily involved in defence as the home side were reliant on counter-attacks to try and find a second goal. It almost came with twenty remaining as some outrageous skill from Bertolo ended with Keena’s shot going wide of the target. Referee McCormack was then forced to insist the Wexford sideline refrain from arguing constantly with his decisions as the tension rose further.

Cian McDonnell and Jack McNamee belied their size to compete against the taller Wexford duo in midfield and both did extremely well to shore their team through the final minutes. With Bertolo operating as almost a sole attacking threat, the Mullingar side were intent on defending to the end. Donoghue held well from Driscoll’s spinning header in the box before late drama in the final moments. Gainfort was put through for Wexford but Donoghue was equal to his powerful drive. The rebound fell to Liam Murphy and having already had no luck with two huge chances previously, the striker saw his close-range effort miss the goals. In stoppage time, Lee Sheridan and Keena combined to hold up the ball in the corner and although Wexford did try and force one last ditch attack, Liam Doyle was on hand to cut it out and Coláiste Mhuire were through. The final whistle saw angry exchanges between the Wexford teachers and multiple players against the referee which carried on for several minutes before both sides left the field.

Scorers – Coláiste Mhuire: Bertolo (5) Wexford CBS: none.

Coláiste Mhuire: Cathal Donoghue; Jack Hegarty, Iarlaith Sweeney, Darragh Orme, Liam Doyle, Oisín Keena, Antonio Bertolo, Cian McDonnell, Patrick Wallace, Jack McNamee, Mark Mulvee. Subs used: Robert Whelan, Lee Sheridan. Rest of panel: Daniel Keenan, Emmet Carolan, Adam Bracken, Coran Quinn, Jack Cahill.

Wexford: Alex Dodd; Conor Butler, Ryan Finnegan, Darragh Hayes, Aaron Butler, Luke Driscoll, Daniel Kelly, Sam O’Sullivan, Liam Murphy, Alfie Doyle, Matthew O’Brien. Subs used: Tyler Gainfort, Sé Delaney, Harry Murphy. Rest of panel: Darragh Walsh, Eli Hegarty, Zach Murphy, Freddie Tennant.

Referee: Damien McCormack.