Pike Rovers took a massive step towards reclaiming the league title from Janesboro at Crossagalla this afternoon, smashing four past the champions courtesy of Eoin Hanrahan, Steven McGann and another Cian Collins brace.
With their squad containing only three natural centre-backs, Janesboro chose to respond to the dual absences of Aidan Hurley and Lee O’Mara by asking the versatile Aled Harkin to play beside Thomas Clarke.
With John Boyle still required at right back in the wake of Tino Nzvavra’s departure, this meant the champions were also light on players adept at protecting their defence. Natural number ten, John Tierney, was therefore asked to partner Steven Bradley in the centre of midfield.
Meanwhile, in the midst of a goalkeeping crisis, Janesboro also handed Darren Glasheen his first league start since returning to the club from 1B’s Prospect Priory. Eddie Brazier also made his return to the ‘Boro starting eleven, after a brief stint at today’s opposition, Pike Rovers.
Pike, on the other hand, looked supremely settled in comparison, making only two changes from last week’s FAI Junior Cup victory over Villa FC. Sean O’Callaghan returned at the heart of the defence to partner Pa Mullins, with Wayne Colbert shifted out to right back in place of Wayne O’Donovan. John Connery also returned on the right of midfield in place of Davy Ryan.
All of the above, plus home advantage, suggested that Pike may have had the edge prior to kick-off. Few would have expected a three-goal half-time advantage however.
The Hoops broke the deadlock in the 18th minute, when a Wayne Colbert cross was headed out of the grasp of a hesitant Glasheen by Eoin Hanrahan. Great anticipation from the Pike winger to capitalise on the excellent shot-stopper’s longstanding area of weakness.
Within seconds of the kick-off, the home side doubled their advantage. Garry Higgins and Cian Collins reprised their productive partnership from last week, when the former slid a ball through a gaping chasm between the two centre-backs for the latter to run on to. Collins diagonal run and right-footed finish were both impeccable.
There was a brief hearts-in-mouth moment for the home faithful five minutes prior to the break, when an Aled Harkin free-kick was spilled by Gary Neville. The outstanding Wayne Colbert was in the right place at the right time however, to clear off the line.
From the resulting corner, the champions fashioned their only real half-chance of the first period; Shane Waters’s cross finding Thomas Clarke in the box, whose effort was blocked at point-blank range by a Pike body.
Seconds later, the visitors paid for that miss with the concession of a third. Steven McGann’s energy to get up and down had already produced numerous ball recoveries for his side. In the 40th minute, he picked up the second ball again, feeding off a great first touch from Cian Collins to smash the ball into the top corner with his left-foot from range. Worth the price of admission by itself, that one.
The second half saw the Janesboro management attempt to solve their midfield woes with a reshuffle. Tierney was shuffled out of the fray into a ten role, with Arron Nunan brought in off the right to partner Bradley instead. The additional body in the centre allowed Janesboro to build some momentum in the early part of the second period. A spell of pressure down the right flank just before the hour mark produced a corner; Thomas Clarke dispatched Harkin’s delivery with a glancing header.
Pike responded by switching to 4-4-1-1 themselves to nullify Janesboro’s change. The bandage-sporting Colin Daly was introduced in the number ten position in place of Higgins, completing a miraculously rapid return to football after sustaining a head injury before Christmas.
Daly’s creativity, that Pike have sorely missed in his absence, almost put the game to bed with fifteen to go. An excellent passing exchange between the Pike front four culminated in Daly playing Connery through, who shot straight at the advancing Glasheen.
At this stage, Janesboro were obviously looking stretched in a bid to salvage something from the contest. They went for broke shortly after that chance, introducing veteran striker Conor Lynch and moving to a 3-4-1-2 system.
This immediately produced a chance for them, before Pike had a chance to adapt. Only a wonderful diving save from Gary Neville prevented John Boyle’s strike from setting us up for a grandstand final ten minutes.
Instead, the remainder of the game was played out as if the result was already a foregone conclusion. Cian Collins pounced on a misdirected Janesboro throw-in late on to add further gloss to his side’s comprehensive victory.
Janesboro can have no complaints about what is their heaviest league defeat in some time, particularly in light of squad management that has left them light or lacking (or both) in the back five positions.
Pike’s defence on the other hand continues to be the meanest in Limerick. Add to that the form of Cian Collins and the return of Colin Daly and things are looking brighter at the other end of the field too. The Hoops enjoyed strong performances all along the spine of their team today, with O’Callaghan, McGann and Collins all shining. But, for his second successive defensive clinic in as many weeks, Wayne Colbert is today’s man of the match.
Scorers
Hanrahan 19′, Collins 20′, 90′, McGann 41′; T. Clarke 58′
Man of the Match
Wayne Colbert
Limerick District League 