LDL Premier Division leaders Carew Park will enter the final matchday one point clear of second placed Pike Rovers, thanks to Mark Slattery’s dramatic last-minute equaliser against Janesboro.
Following on from the tight reverse fixture at Pearse Stadium, the first 70 minutes of this game scarcely offered a chance to report. Janesboro, who needed a win to keep their slender hopes of retaining the league title alive, repeatedly saw their attacks break down in midfield up against Carew’s narrow four-man diamond. Carew, meanwhile, who inflicted three Tuohy Cup final goals on Janesboro by playing simple balls in behind their defence, were guilty of going to that particular well far too often.
The game therefore settled into a very dull pattern, with Carew killing ‘Boro attacks before a final ball could even be attempted, before hoofing it straight back to their visitors. Shane O’Hanlon’s side were only able to work a two-on-one on a Carew full back on one occasion in the first half, when a supporting Aidan Hurley glanced the head of Shane Clarke with a cross. Mark Slattery duly stepped up to block Aled Harkin’s resulting back post effort.
With 20 minutes remaining, the ‘Boro pushed Tierney up behind Clarke in a 4-4-1-1 after the ineffectual Conor Lynch was removed in favour of Thomas Lyons. It took the newly reacquainted partnership just two minutes to combine profitably, when Clarke turned Tommy Culhane brilliantly on the edge of the box and delivered a pacy low cross from the byline. Gordon Stewart erred by palming it out to the back post, where Tierney lurked to restore Janesboro’s hopes of keeping their crown.
That renewed hope was short-lived, however. Carew’s Albert Slattery reacted quickly by removing his defensive midfielder Gary Griffin in favour of Jonathan Somers, who filled the left wing role in a 4-4-2. Soon after, Jamie O’Sullivan was also introduced in a right wing role, in place of left back Richie Mullins.
The returning O’Sullivan had a big hand in swinging the league pendulum back in Carew’s direction. With two minutes remaining, the winger delivered a fine outswinging corner that Jamie Enright headed goalward. Thomas Clarke temporarily saved the day by heading the ball behind, but ‘Sully’ sent it right back at him again from the other side. Slattery, waiting just inside the area, caught Clarke’s clearing header perfectly on the volley to crash home a priceless equaliser for the hosts.
Incredibly, in a game that offered nothing for so long, there was more drama to come. Carew continued to commit a host of bodies forward as the game entered injury time, and it very nearly paid off when substitute Keegan Park robbed the otherwise excellent Craig McMarlow just outside the area. Park found the onrushing Dillon who fired inches wide.
That tactical bravery very nearly looked like stupidity in the fifth minute of added time, when Tierney popped up deep on the right wing, with no Carew left winger to face him. Tierney delivered a perfect outswinging cross for the auxiliary forward Thomas Clarke to thump home what looked like a certain winner with his head. Until, that is, that the evergreen Stewart sprung to his right to redeem himself, with a Gordon Banks-esque diving save to keep Clarke’s header out. Amazing scenes.
Janesboro’s league challenge is now officially over. Despite post-match protestations of falling victim to a poor refereeing performance, they must acknowledge that they offered little going forward, in the absence of key wide players Arron Nunan and Shane Waters.
Save for the opener, created singlehandedly by Clarke with a wonderful turn, Carew’s defence once again remained resolute. Mark Slattery has failed to receive the recognition he deserves in the past outside of these pages. I’m sure this will finally be the season when his outstanding talent can no longer be overlooked. Slattery epitomises the commitment, drive and desire that has again powered Carew Park to the summit ahead of more fancied rivals. And what a goal that was to keep them there too. A victory, away to Geraldines on the final matchday, will seal a richly deserved title for him and his colleagues.
Scorers
Slattery 89′; Tierney 69′
Man of the Match
Mark Slattery
Limerick District League 