This article is from page 73 of the 2008-04-29 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 73 JPG
THE dream of winning a place in the National Final of the 2008 Danone
Nations Cup, and possibly going on to represent Ireland in the World Fi- nals in Parc de Princes, Paris in Sep- tember, has ended for valiant Clare Rare b sete
Avenue United and Lifford had won the honour of representing the Clare
League in the South West Regional final of the Danone Nations Cup, which took place on Saturday in Rathkeale.
The competition was fierce through- out the day with several games de- cided by penalties.
Avenue United put on a talented display in the group stages earning them a place in the Finals where they were unlucky to lose on penal- ties to Killarney Celtic (Kerry). To
get there Avenue beat St Brendan’s 2-0 in their opening tie, while they then beat Mungret 1-0 on penalties to secure their final place.
In the shoot with Killarney Celtic in the final out both Liam Kearney (Kil- larney Celtic) and Eimhin Courtney (Avenue United) scored excellent Opening penalties for their respective teams. Shane Cronin also scored a terrific penalty despite Avenue’s keeper going the right way while Brian Guilfoyle’s effort skimmed the crossbar and went over.
When Darren O’Docherty stepped up to take his teams final penalty and despite the pressure he held his nerve and slotted the ball home thus ensuring a trip to the National finals for himself and his team
mates. Elsewhere fellow Clare league representative’s Lifford failed to progress past group Stages.