Athlone Towns under 17s played Galway United at home last Saturday afternoon with a place in the semi-final of the Mark Farren Cup at stake.
The visitors struck just before half time but Luke O’Connor had a good chance to force extra time late on but was off target. United also missed a penalty kick but did just enough to advance to the last four.
United earned the first corner kick of the tie on four minutes with the two best chances of the early stages soon arriving. James Lukau had only the keeper to beat to put Galway in front but fired over from close range. The home team had a similar chance at the other end. Danny Ojo had the keeper standing between him and the goal but the shot went agonisingly wide.
Athlone had the next chance after 21 minutes. Kevin Sweeney’s free kick played in from the left was punched clear by the United keeper. Galway then dominated the rest of the opening half. Mark O’Halloran had a shot saved while a corner kick was followed by David Tarmey having another chance.
Athlone looked like they would make it to the break on level terms but were undone by a fantastic strike after 41 minutes, Lukau skipping through the home defensive cover and firing the ball to the roof of the net from the edge of the penalty box. Tarmey then had a chance to increase the lead while O’Halloran definitely should have doubled Galway’s advantage but fired narrowly wide of the far post.
United enjoyed a slender lead but their task should have been made easier had a penalty kick been slotted home early in the second half. Galius Babonas faced up to a penalty when Lukau was fouled inside the box after 54 minutes. The keeper not only saved Tarmey’s spot kick but also did well to block the rebound.
O’Halloran then pounced on the loose ball but drilled his shot over the bar. Substitute Ricky Fitzsimons firing wide was one of the few times the hosts proved dangerous. Galway were again out of luck just after the hour mark when they were denied by the woodwork, Ryan Nolan firing against the bar with the ball then scrambled clear by Athlone.
United were guilty of some poor finishing as Victor Tuchilus and Lukau were both off target. As the closing stages arrived, Athlone were still in contention, but Babonas ensured the tie was kept alive with a series of good saves.
Having survived the pressure, Athlone had one more chance to force extra time in the final minute. Sweeney passed to O’Connor on the left but the shot lacked accuracy and cleared the bar.
Athlone had faced extra time in the two previous rounds and now were hoping for a similar outcome. A free kick for Athlone in the fifth additional minute saw everyone in the Galway half but the delivery from Babonas carried too much momentum and flew harmlessly wide of the post.
