Bohemians 1 Avondale 0:DESPITE THE heroics of Avondale's goalkeeper David O'Keeffe, Bohemians advanced to the last eight of the FAI Cup after making heavy work of last night's hard-fought encounter.
The Cork side made it a difficult night for the the Premier Division side as O’Keeffe was in inspired form, stopping both David Scully and Keith Buckley’s penalties with right-handed saves. Superbly structured around a 3-5-2 system, the Cork side spiritedly stayed in this game before fatigue – and Evan McMillan – got the better of them.
Until then, they were an absolute joy to watch – not only because their passing game was easy on the eye but also due to the intelligence of their movement.
In the end, though, a decent strategy and a collection of talented players was not enough. Bohemians were simply too fit, too slick and too good.
What changed the game in their favour was the patience and pace of their passing – which ultimately served to decode the Avondale system. O’Keeffe could do nothing about McMillan’s 43rd minute header from a Danny Joyce’s corner.
Bohemians then began to press forward but Avondale stuck to their principles, maintaining a solid shape, while counter-attacking with a purpose. However, even the excellence of O’Keeffe’s performance could only do so much. Bohs advance.
BOHEMIANS: McNulty; Heary, Feely, Lopes, Pender; Joyce, Mulcahy, Barker; Buckley, McMillan, Scully.
AVONDALE: O’Keeffe; Spratt, Mulconry (Mulcahy, 38 mins), Horgan, Cahill, Lougheed; Caulfield, B Murphy, Long (Stapleton, 63 mins); O’Sullivan, Meade (K Murphy, 80 mins).
Referee: T Connolly (Dublin).
