Geraldines remain unbeaten at Fortress Garryowen after another resolute rearguard action just about earned them a point against Janesboro this morning.
First half
The champions were absolutely rampant here in the opening quarter of an hour, with John Tierney briefly looking back to his best, fielded in his preferred number ten position. The former Pike midfielder won the ball from a ‘Dines defender in the opening minutes, before slipping Shane Clarke through to drag his strike across the face of Nyong’s goal.
It was a corner however, that eventually caught out the overwhelmed ‘Dines backline – as was the case against Pike in midweek. Janesboro took it short, allowing Shane Waters to take his time and cross from the edge of the area. Thomas Clarke was on hand, once again, to head home.
Janesboro quickly crafted another couple of big chances in quick succession. First, in-form Arron Nunan went close after a brilliant counter-attacking run from Waters. Then, Tierney ran off his man-marker, Keith O’Connor, to collect a deft Waters flick, before squaring to Clarke, who tried to turn it home with a flick of his own but couldn’t get enough on it.
Then, completely against the run of play, the home side leveled it. James Cleary, who made the ball stick a lot better in that difficult lone striker role today, was allowed to bring the ball into feet off a fine lofted pass from Darren O’Sullivan. Janesboro centre-back, Aidan Hurley, continued to stand off the ‘Dines striker, allowing him to turn and play through his onrushing winger, Dean Earls. Earls showed excellent composure to finish into the far corner with his left.
The flank from which the initial pass stemmed proved a bit of a problem for the ‘Boro for the remainder of the half, O’Sullivan, ably supported by the excellent Danny O’Neill, had the better of McMarlow and Nunan on that side and were forcing a number of frees. No clear-cut chances resulted from this however, and in truth the remainder of the first half was a pretty scrappy affair.
Janesboro did have cause to feel aggrieved that they didn’t go in ahead, mind you. Shane Clarke robbed McGarry deep in the Dine’s half, before one-twoing with Waters, only to be harshly ruled offside when clean through – despite the fact that Thomas O’Grady looked to be playing the ‘Boro striker on.
Second half
The complexion of the game changed completely in the second half, however. Janesboro finally regained their grip on it and were camped in the Geraldines half for the majority. But the chance-creation of the opening quarter-hour was long gone, as the champions vainly huffed and puffed but couldn’t blow the ‘Dines defensive house down.
Big bad wolf, Shane Clarke, came close in the early going alright, with a trademark right-footed free-kick, that the ‘Dines wall almost deflected in. For the most part however, the compact ‘Dines defensive unit was keeping them out, with Keith O’Connor getting a handle on Tierney and the full-backs keeping the dangerous wingers, Nunan and Waters, in check.
O’Connor picked up a hamstring injury with fifteen to go though, forcing the home side to bring on Stephen Keeley in that holding position. Immediately, Tierney got on the ball between defence and midfield and played Clarke in down the inside-right channel. Clarke’s shot, from an acute angle, was parried wide by Nyong.
Although they defended brilliantly, the ‘Dines counter-attacking threat was almost non-existent – even after they brought on Eddie Lee as an outlet on the left. However, one of many balls over the top for Lee to chase may well have resulted in a second yellow card for new ‘Boro right back, Tino Nzvaura. The former Avenue United man looked to have handled the ball to prevent the ‘Dines winger from getting a run on him. Tino, as the champs have dubbed him, was penalised with the award of a free-kick, but was very lucky indeed to escape further censure.
Speaking of lucky escapes, despite looking to have wrapped up the point, the home side very nearly dramatically threw it away in injury-time. Goalkeeper, Mfon Nyong, who again looked shaky at times under crosses, spilled the ball from his hands under pressure, resulting in a corner. Darren O’Sullivan did well to direct his clearing header wide off that delivery, only to see John Boyle collect and drive to the byline. Boyle’s pinpoint cross found the head of Shane Clarke, whose effort duly found the far post and rebounded out! The ball then fell beautifully for Arron Nunan, in front of goal, who failed to continue his goalscoring purple patch by driving his effort into the ground, allowing Nyong to parry. Phew!
Conclusion
Despite this late near-miss for ‘Boro and the first-half offside decision, a draw was probably a fair result here on the balance of chances created. Although the champions were well on top, possession-wise, for the majority of the contest, they flattered to deceive and failed to penetrate for the most part. The dramatic way in which Tierney’s performance faded after a very encouraging opening 15 minutes may be cause for concern, as will the manner of the concession of the equaliser.
Geraldines will be delighted to have doggedly ground out another good result at their new home, following on from the ten-man triumph against Regional ten days ago. They’ll be hoping for a similar outcome next Thursday in the derby against Fairview, who lost their unbeaten record this morning courtesy of a home defeat to Ballynanty Rovers. Janesboro remain unbeaten, but it is now only Pike who maintain a 100% record, going into the sixth round of games.
Limerick District League 