Terenure FC 3rds

12/12/2009
Chapelizod 2 – 4 Terenure 4ths

Playing for the first time in six weeks Terenure 4ths were looking to maintain their 100% start to the season out in Ballyfermot against bottom of the table Chapelizod. Terenure started slowly and with the referee reluctant to call offside the defence was caught out a few times early on, and one of these incidents allowed Chapelizod to take the lead. The home team looked sharper, reflecting the fact that they had a game just two weeks previously.

Both teams were trying to play the ball on the ground but the long grass and heavy pitch made it difficult to play free flowing football, Terenure managed to look dangerous on the rare occasions that they worked the ball forward in the first quarter. As the half wore on Terenure got a foothold in the match and a nice passing move eventually saw the ball worked forward to Mark Quinn who finished well to equalise.

Chapelizod were still fighting hard at this point and they responded well to the equaliser and went back on the attack, when they broke through the Terenure defence their centre forward was bundled over in the box and the ref pointed to the penalty spot, the Chapelizod captain made no mistake as he tucked the penalty away. Terenure were still looking rusty at this stage and their 100% record was in real danger as they went in 2-1 down at half time.

The tempo was upped right from the start of the second half as Terenure looked to get back into the game and sustained pressure was eventually rewarded as Ciaran Gillespie bundled the ball over the goal line following a dangerous free-kick swung in by Wayne Domican. The Terenure defence looked much more solid in the second half and Chapelizod were struggling to create chances, it looked like only a matter of time before Terenure took the lead, and sure enough Mark Quinn produced an excellent solo finish with about 25 minutes left to break Chapelizod’s resistance.

In the final quarter of the game Chapelizod’s heads dropped further and Terenure were finding their confidence, Bernard Geraghty adding a fourth goal with a neat finish after a mazy dribble in from the wing. The final few minutes offered little of note, as the teams were happy to greet the final whistle after a tough slog. The game also marked the return of Gary Clarke from an injury sustained in pre-season to further boost the strength of the squad.