Connolly the hero as Hibs win shootout
A cracking cup tie ensued on Thursday night as the fourth-tier boys from the Barony prevailed. Both sides went toe to toe with one another with the lottery of spot kicks proving to be the deciding factor in choosing the winner.
After a cagey opening 10 minutes, the home side conjured up the first real opportunity of the contest. The lively Liam Kearns drifted down the right flank and delivered a teasing cross which was met to no avail from the Greens.
Claremorris continued to push for the opener and Conor O’Keeffe’s inswinger beat the Hibs’ defence with James Kavanagh’s header back across goal not being met.
Hibs themselves were dangerous on the counter with James Armstrong teeing up John McAndrew on 25 minutes, the latter was unable to apply the finishing touch.
Claremorris caught the Hibs defence knapping and Kearns threaded the eye of a needle with a magnificent pass to Darragh Condron who found the target which was well saved by Ryan Connolly on 31 minutes.
Bangor ventured forward before the break but were thwarted by brilliant defending from Gareth Murphy who was a rock at the back throughout.
Claremorris came out of the traps quickly in the second half and Alan Fenwick played a well-timed ball to Nathan Guilfoyle on 49 minutes, with Guilfoyle firing straight at Connolly.
Bangor found the breakthrough on 57 minutes. Steven Doherty launched the ball across the Claremorris box which found the dangerous Armstrong who finished emphatically into the top corner.
Bangor were set on extending their advantage and McAndrew found Kevin Ruddy with space who could not keep his effort down.
The returning James Cullinane played a beautiful crossfield pass to Kearns who sent a delicious cross to O’Keeffe with the winger fluffing his lines on 65 minutes.
Ian Costello was then introduced from the bench along with Ben Joyce who both had a significant impact on the proceedings going towards to home strait.
Dylan Prendergast unleashed a stinging effort after some beautiful build up play which was parried by Connolly to Joyce who finished comfortably from two yards on 75 minutes.
Claremorris could now smell blood and Costello and Kearns were causing pandemonium in the Hibs backline with both stalwarts finding the target which Connolly batted away.
The big call of the game arrived on 88 minutes when David Bell burst through the Hibs defence and was upended by Connolly which looked to be a nailed-on penalty was deemed not be by Ann Sweeney.
Claremorris had the best of efforts in extra time with Cullinane firing over from 30 yards. Joyce then used his pace to ghost past the Hibs rearguard but he flashed his shot over.
Joyce then teed up a lovely cross to Costello, who could not finish and that meant penalties were on the menu for the closing stanza.
After 11 perfect spot-kicks, Prendergast’s penalty from 12 yards was saved by Connolly with the men in white progressing through to the next round. Claremorris will regret not putting the game to bed in normal time and now turn their attention to the league.
