Twenty-three places in the Galway District leagues separate Oranmore and Knocknacarra but on Saturday afternoon the city side ripped up the form book as they dumped their illustrious opponents out of the FAI Junior Cup at the second round.
Almost perfect conditions greeted the sides in Oranmore, but the opening period was often too scrappy. The home side took the lead in the 11th minute. A long free sent in to the Knocknacarra box was not adequately dealt with by the Knocknacarra rearguard and, when the ball fell to Oranmore winger Dave Devlin, he lashed it goalward and beat a posse of Knocknacarra defenders to cross the line.
Oranmore looked the more impressive in this early period. Minutes after the goal, pacy striker Brian Mannion beat two men and set up Ollie Neary, who dinked the ball over Miguel Posse in the Knocknacarra goal, only to watch his effort hit the post.
While the hosts had most of the play in the early exchanges they seemed to lose concentration as the half progressed as they let the city side further into the game. Then on 34 minutes Knocknacarra struck back. Oranmore ‘keeper Conor Leydon seemed to have a through ball covered, but was dispossessed by John Whiriskey, who passed to striker Darren Jordan who had to merely run the ball into the net to level proceedings. Brian Mannion did have a chance to give his side back the lead late on but Posse was equal. Half time came with the sides even. Oranmore must have imagined their performance could only improve but instead it was the side from two divisions below them who continued to frustrate them.
Knocknacarra went ahead just before the hour mark as Jordan and Whiriskey swopped roles from the first goal. Darren Jordan sent in a useful cross. John Whiriskey competed well, broke the ball off ‘keeper Conor Leydon and then was the first to react in the confusion which followed as he finished to the empty net. The goal served to wake Oranmore up. Midfielder David Eignor controlled a ball well on the left of the box before threading it to Brian Mannion but again excellent Knocknacarra keeper Miguel Posse was too good and kept the chance out.
Moments later Oranmore appealed for a penalty as Mannion was brought down by the evergreen Jimmy Nolan. They instead got a free on the edge of the box but Dave Sheehan couldn’t find the target. The game opened up, with a flurry of opportunities for each side but both ‘keepers performed well under severe pressure.
Oranmore were now seemingly on the brink of equalising when Knocknacarra broke, with Jordan set free on goals. Oranmore sub Alan Eastwood definitely fouled him but Oranmore were left annoyed when a penalty was awarded, as it was difficult to judge where exactly the foul took place. Defender Paul Burke, solid throughout, stepped up and dispatched the ball past Leydon. Oranmore never threw in the towel, but found the Knocknacarra defence, controlled by Nolan and Posse, impenetrable as the unfancied city side secured a shock win.
Oranmore: Conor Leydon, John Latchford, Brian Crowe, Sean O Brien, Dermot Noone, Ollie Neary, David Sheehan, David Eignor, Brian Mannion, Colin Browne, David Devlin. Subs: Shane O Neill for Browne (40mins ), Alan Eastwood for Neary, Alan Barrett for Sheehan (both 68mins ).
Knocknacarra: Miguel Posse, Paul Burke, Peter Monaghan, Jimmy Nolan, Mike O Connor, Mal Lally, John Whiriskey, Lorcan Browne, Darren Jordan, William Greer, Noel McIntyre. Subs: Enda O Flaherty for Monaghan (63mins ).
Referee: Colman Brady.
