Derry forced to labour for the spoils

FAI CUP holders Derry City made hard work of disposing of Cork junior side Avondale United in this second round clash at the Brandywell yesterday.

The home side, always in complete control, still had to wait until the 71st minute to guarantee their passage to the quarter finals. And that goal, when it did arrive, had a substantial element of luck attached to it.

To be fair, Felix Healy's side was rarely in difficulty but their failure to create scoring opportunities, after enjoying so much possession, is a problem the northern side have had to cope with throughout the current season.

To their credit, Avondale refused to adopt a defensive policy but their 4-4-2 formation suffered a major setback after only six minutes when Derry grabbed an early breakthrough.

Paul Hegarty, making his return to the Brandywell after rejoining his former club from Finn Harps a month ago, sent Tom Mohan clear on the right with a delicate lob. And when the winger's low cross dropped into the path of Harry McCourt, the striker was presented with the easiest of tap in opportunities from close range.

One felt the floodgates would open but Avondale refused to panic and that, coupled with Derry's ineptitude in front of goal, kept the junior side well in the match.

Derry actually found the net again in the 16th minute when Gary Heaney forced the ball over the line but referee Byrne ruled out the "score" as Paul Doolin had strayed into an offside position.

With two minutes remaining before the half time interval, Derry goalkeeper Tony O'Dowd saved his side's blushes with a superb stop. It was a chance Avondale could ill afford to miss.

Following a corner form the right, the ball dropped into the path of Damien Martin who cracked a ferocious drive which O'Dowd was forced to parry. Damien O'Connell squeezed the rebound wide of the target from an acute angle.

The home side concentrated on fluent one touch football after the break and their territorial superiority was eventually rewarded in the most bizarre fashion 19 minutes from full time.

Man of the match Mohan scampered up the right flank before his cross cum shot totally deceived Avondale's veteran goalkeeper, Finbarr Delaney, and she ball dropped into the net from the narrowest of angles.

After the match, Avondale manager Liam Treacy was far from disappointed with the result. "We never really believed we had a chance of winning the game," he said. "But I can't fault the performance of my players. Derry's superior fitness told in the final 20 minutes but we have not disgraced ourselves," he added.

"Without doubt, the best team won. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience and hope we can learn, something from the game. However, having been beaten in the Intermediate Cup, it's now back to the bread and butter issues in the Munster Senior League," he concluded.

. Crusaders will tomorrow night bid to make it third time lucky by winning a trophy. They are in buoyant mood for their Gold Cup final task against Linfield at the Oval, having increased their lead in the premiership table.

Crusaders, who lost to the Craigavon pair Portadown and Glenavon in previous Cup finals are now five points clear at the top. They defeated bottom of the table Bangor 2-0 at Clandeboye Park, while second placed Portadown were battling out a 1-1 draw with Linfield at Shamrock Park.

One of the Crusaders goals scored by their Dublin based central defender, Aaron Callaghan, sparked off a row.