Arklow Town 2
Avonmore 1
Travers Insurance Park
Eoin Horkan
A spectacular long-range screamer from Mark Fitzgerald proved the decisive moment as the home side edged a fiercely contested encounter in Arklow on Saturday evening, keeping all three points in the town after a rollercoaster affair that ebbed and flowed from first whistle to last.
On a crisp evening with a lively crowd lining the pitch, it was the visitors from Rathdrum who made the more purposeful start, immediately signalling their intent to play on the front foot. Avonmore pressed high, moved the ball with tempo, and looked dangerous whenever they attacked down the flanks.
Central to their early dominance was Mark Cullen, who gave the Arklow defence a torrid opening period. Inside the first ten minutes, he very nearly opened the scoring with a clever lob that looked destined for the top corner, only for home keeper Chris Earls to produce a vital intervention, scrambling back to block the effort at full stretch. It was an early reminder that this was not going to be a comfortable evening for the Town side.
Moments later, Cullen was again at the heart of the action when his goal-bound strike from close range appeared certain to break the deadlock. However, Brandon Donnelly showed excellent awareness and composure to clear the ball off the line, sparing his side’s blushes and keeping the game scoreless.
Despite being under the cosh, Arklow gradually began to find their footing and showed flashes of their own attacking threat. A quick break saw Joe Ledwith link up well in midfield before driving forward and unleashing a powerful strike that flashed narrowly wide of the post. It was a warning sign that the home side still possessed plenty of quality going forward.
Avonmore, however, refused to relinquish their grip on the game. Their slick passing and movement continued to stretch the Arklow backline, and they went close again when Cormac McGraynor let fly from a wide angle. His shot dipped late and had Earls scrambling once more, but it drifted just past the far post.
Their persistence was eventually rewarded just before the 25-minute mark. A dangerous delivery from Callum Pursey caused chaos in the Arklow box, and in the ensuing scramble the ball broke kindly to John Murphy, who reacted quickest to tap home from close range. The visitors’ pressure had finally paid off, and their lead was no more than they deserved.
Rather than deflate the home side, the goal seemed to galvanise them. Arklow began to assert themselves more in midfield, winning second balls and pushing higher up the pitch. With eight minutes remaining in the first half, they found their route back into the game.
A beautifully weighted through ball from Ledwith split the Avonmore defence, releasing Jack Kavanagh clean through on goal. Showing composure beyond his years, Kavanagh calmly rounded the goalkeeper before slotting the ball into the empty net to level the tie and send the home supporters into raptures.
The final chance of a frenetic first half fell again to Ledwith, who met a looping cross with a well-timed header. Unfortunately for Arklow, it lacked the power to trouble the keeper, who gathered comfortably, and the sides went in at the break deadlocked.
The second half began in dramatic fashion. Within seven minutes of the restart, the complexion of the game changed in stunning fashion. From an Arklow corner that was only partially cleared, the ball fell invitingly to Mark Fitzgerald some thirty yards from goal. Without hesitation, he unleashed a ferocious strike that arrowed into the top corner, leaving the goalkeeper rooted to the spot. It was a goal of the highest quality and one that will be talked about in Arklow for some time.
To their credit, Avonmore did not fold. They continued to create openings, with Cody Reid proving a constant menace down the wing. His pace and direct running caused problems, though his best effort of the half ultimately flew wide of the target.
Cullen, who had been so influential in the first half, also had another golden opportunity to equalise, but despite getting himself into a promising position, he was unable to find the back of the net, much to the relief of the home defence.
As the clock ticked down, Arklow grew more assured in possession and began to take control of proceedings. The final ten minutes belonged largely to the home side, though they were not without drama.
In a bizarre and unforgettable moment, Jack Kavanagh found himself clean through once again after a clever through ball. He rounded the goalkeeper with ease, but in a rush of excitement and perhaps overconfidence, he blazed his effort over the bar. Frustrated with himself, he impulsively removed his shirt in disgust – a decision that earned him a yellow card from the referee.
Despite that flash of madness, Arklow showed maturity beyond their years in the closing stages. They kept the ball well, managed the game intelligently, and denied Avonmore any late opportunities to snatch a point.
When the final whistle blew, there was a palpable sense of relief and satisfaction among the home players and supporters alike. In a game where they had been second best for long spells, it was ultimately Mark Fitzgerald’s moment of brilliance that proved the difference.
Arklow Town:Chris Earls;Ben Long,Mark Fitzgerald,Brandon Donnelly,Davie Kiely;Joe Elliot,Danny Byrne,Kevin O’Regan,Sam Bulter;Joe Ledwith,Jack Kavanagh.
Subs Used:Jake Byrne for Joe Ledwith,Darragh Walker for Dave Kiely,Ben Currie for Jack Kavanagh,Joe Reid for Kevin O’Regan,Luke Gray for Danny Byrne.
Avonmore:Jordan Chandler;Ryan Delamere,Cody Reid,Alife Breslin,Bren Gahan,Cian O’Hanrahan,Callum Pursey,John Murphy,Cormac McGraynor,Alex Olohan,Mark Cullen.
Subs Used:Matty Boland for Alex Olohan,Caleb Fox for Cody Reid,Christian Kalrigke for Bren Gahan
Referee Mark Wynne.
