DUNMANWAY TOWN 0

ARC ROVERS 0

(Arc Rovers won 4-3 on pens aet)

GER McCARTHY REPORTS

DUNMANWAY Town bowed out of the McCarthy Insurance Group Munster Junior Cup following a penalty shootout loss to Arc Rovers at the Meadows on Saturday.

The West Cork League Premier Division side failed to find the net despite creating numerous chances against their opponents who played the entire second half and two periods of extra-time with ten men.

Arc Rovers, who compete in the Cork Business League, defended doggedly and held their nerve in the penalty shootout that decided the outcome. Tyrese Raheem, Greg Harrington, Brian Kelly and Padraig Cotter converted from 12 yards – that was enough to earn victory after Dunmanway’s Will Hennigan and Jamie Dullea failed to score.

‘Obviously, we are disappointed as it would have been nice to go a bit further in the competition,’ Dunmanway Town manager Kevin Murray said.

‘We have lost a lot of lads who won Beamish Cups with us so this is a rebuilding job with a lot of new, younger players at the moment.

‘Look, every game is a pressure game in the top division so it is important that we get back to winning ways there again as soon as possible.’

Town made all the early running, as William Hennigan and Keith White’s runs forced their opponents into some hurried clearances.

Arc's Dean Cummins was the busier of the two goalkeepers and helped settle his team after a difficult start. At the opposite end, Gavin McCarthy’s diving header forced Rory Carroll into his first stop after ten minutes.

A frenzied pace meant clear-cut opportunities were few until Raúl Martínez’s deflected effort cleared Dunmanway’s crossbar after quarter of an hour. The host’s Conor Vassallo flicked a header wide from a free kick shortly after.

William Hennigan just failed to connect with a cross prior to arrowing another effort inches wide as Dunmanway upped the tempo.

Arc’s response was swift as David McGuire’s goal-bound attempt was tipped away by a diving Carroll.

Town came closest to opening the scoring from two set pieces in as many minutes shortly before the break. Cian Collins just failed to connect with Keith White’s lofted delivery prior to Steven O’Donovan missing Gavin Dullea’s in-swinger inside the six-yard box.

The home team’s increased pressure resulted in James Moynihan receiving a second yellow card when William Hennigan attempted to race clear. That dismissal reduced Arc to ten players for the entirety of the second half.

The visitors protested the decision, but, admirably, defended superbly for the remainder of the match despite their numerical disadvantage. So much so that Dunmanway were repeatedly denied time, space and scoring opportunities during a frustrating second half for the home side.

The West Cork League club had their chances, not least Jamie Dullea hitting an upright and Keith White denied a certain goal but for a marvellous Dean Cummins save.

Dunmanway’s inability to find the net saw ten-man Arc Rovers grow in confidence and a frustrating afternoon for the hosts meant the second-round tie finished 0-0 at the final whistle and after extra-time.

Penalties were needed, and it was here the Cork Business League side held their nerve. Rory Carroll saved one of the Arc spot kicks but Will Hennigan’s effort came back off the crossbar and Jamie Dullea’s effort was saved. That meant Arc Rovers emerged 4-3 winners and left their opponents to concentrate on domestic matters for the remainder of the season.

Dunmanway Town: Rory Carroll, Jamie Dullea, Gavin Dullea, Stephen O’Donovan, Sam Foley, Ciarán Collins, Conor Vassallo, Keith White (captain), William Hennigan, Oran McCarthy, David Ring.

Subs: Ray Jennings, Nathan Mawe O’Donovan, Gavin Loran, Aidan O’Donovan, Fionn Kearney, Ian Bryan, Killian Vassallo.

Arc Rovers: Dean Cummins, Craig Roche, Shane Herlihy, James Moynihan, Brian Kelly (captain), David McGuire, Conor Ryan, Dylan Cruise O’Shea, Gavin McCarthy, Gregg Harrington, Raúl Martínez.

Subs: Tyrese Raheem, Jay D’arcy, Kane Murphy, Alex Kelly, Padraig Cotter, Daniel Leahy.

Referee: Anthony McDermott.