Murphy makes history with Galway Utd

EXTRA TIME HERO Manulla’s Gerry Canavan reels away in celebration after scoring one of his two goals last Saturday followed by Brazilian teamate Lucas De Paula.
Round 1
Manulla 2
G Canavan 63, 105

Westport Utd 1
D Browne 90
(AET)

John Brennan
Carramore

THIS was a huge win psychologically for Manulla after a mixed start to the league.
However, it must be noted that Westport were severely depleted with a handful of regulars including the likes of Danny Scahill, Joe Lawless, James O’Donnell and David Hoban all attending the wedding of close friend John Carter on Saturday night. Even in defeat manager John Russell will be quietly pleased with the performance.
Manulla dominated this cup tie for long spells and such was their dominance that the Covies produced their first opportunity of any note in the 66th minute, an effort from substitute Mikey O’Brien.
In the end this physical affair was settled by a brace from Gerry Canavan and afterwards Manulla manager Connie Morrissey was delighted with his performance.
“It was a hard-fought win,” he told The Mayo News. “It could have gone either way. Gerry Canavan got the winner. He was man of the match by a mile. It was an outstanding performance from him today.”
Manulla created the majority of the early chances with Brazilians Lucas De Paula and Fran Da Silva both linking well inside.
Gerry Canavan saw his free-kick saved, whilst De Paula had an effort touched over by Daniel Fadden. A goal-line clearance denied Paul Lawless and Fadden produced a superb save to deny Canavan in the 20th minute. Fran Da Silva was causing all sorts of problems and he flashed an effort agonisingly wide just before the break.
There was no let up on the resumption and Da Silva fizzed an effort across the face of goal, with his compatriot Lucas De Paula blazing over in the 52nd minute. The breakthrough was ominous and it eventually arrived thanks to a first-time strike from Gerry Canavan just inside the box. Da Silva could easily have settled this contest, but he fluffed his lines after a major blunder by goalkeeper Daniel Fadden.
Westport dominated the closing 15 minutes and they were rewarded for that persistence when Darren Browne slotted home just inside the box in the 90th minute. There was still time for Manulla to grab a late winner, but Enda McGahon could only divert his header wide from a Gerry Canavan cross.
The Covies were a revitalised side in extra-time and Brandon Scahill slid the ball across to the unmarked Peter Corcoran, but he fired agonisingly wide. After fading out of the game for a spell, Manulla eventually found their spark again and thanks to a piece of individual brilliance from Gerry Canavan they surged ahead again in the 105th minute.
He showed great power and strength to muscle his way inside to stab home from 20 yards out, to spark wild celebrations in the Manulla technical area.
 I’m not singling anyone out, as a lot of the lads played well,” Morrissey concluded. “But he was just on top of his game today.”

MANULLA
S Aomorim, C High, S Morissey, J Burke, F O’Neill, C Maughan, E McGahon, P Lawless, G Canavan, F Da Silva, L De Paula.
Subs Used: M Nolan for De Paula (77 mins, inj); D Tonra for Da Silva (86 mins); Sebastio Da Silva for P Lawless (89 mins); P Mulroe for High (91 mins).

WESTPORT UNITED
D Fadden, E Conway, J Smith, C McGlade, M McDonagh, D Cameron, P Corcoran, D Browne, J Murphy, B Scahill, A Mulchrone.
Subs Used: M O’Brien for McDonagh (59 mins, inj); PJ Calvey for Mulchrone (79 mins).

Ref: M Halligan