"At least we're out of the relegation zone," quipped Avoca coach Simon Filgas after the former champions had shown the utmost resolve in gaining another 32 win over up-and-coming Glenanne in the Leinster Senior League at Rathdown on Saturday.
Filgas has also remarked that Avoca are still capable of picking up a trophy or two - perhaps as early as today when they challenge Pembroke Wanderers in the Top Four final on the new pitch at the Iveagh Grounds.
While there was a total effort by every member of the side made up of Irish Senior and Junior Cup medallists, the composed Avoca captain Anton Scott led by example, particularly in subduing Glenanne with his midfield blocking, aided stoutly by JP Murphy, in the second half as well as sinking two of the goals. Enda Gallanagh also played a leading role with his piercing runs after the interval.
Glenanne had set a scorching pace in the opening exchanges but against a defence in which Trevor Dagg's uncompromising tackling removed a good deal of zip, the only goal of the first half fell to John Goulding, who deflected home a Paul Fitzpatrick free in the 23rd minute.
It seemed that Glenanne could achieve further penetration but, in fact, they had burnt up too much fuel whereas Avoca had paced themselves to a sufficient degree. They engineered a succession of short coners - and the set pieces turned out to be their forte rather than that of their visitors. Graham Dowling set up the equaliser for Gallanagh in the 48th minute before Scott sent a decisive brace of deliveries high into the net. The much marked Graham Shaw hit Glenanne's second goal when it was too late to salvage even a point. Today's final may also hinge much on short corners, for with Stephen Stewart back for the Pembroke operations, his powerful drag flick can yield the opportunities from which Devin Donnelly twice scored off the pads in the 32 defeat of Corinthians at Serpentine Avenue on Saturday. Corinthians kept in contention with two finely struck goals by Colin Stewart and James Benson but again it was Simon Kershaw who put away the Pembroke winner, even if the visitors continued to threaten their 100 per cent record in the closing stages.
Both UCD and Trinity hope to make the most of the Mauritius Cup tournament in Belfast next week to find their feet. Here DCU will also be competing, buoyed by a good start in division three of the Leinster League. Coached by Victor Shaw, captained by Brian Murphy and spearheaded by Brian Stirling, they have drawn 33 with Bray and have beaten Weston 3-2 and Birr 3-0.
