Mixed fortunes for Sholola

AS would later happen in last Wednesday evening"s Scottish League Cup semi-final between Celtic and Dundee Utd, the heartache of losing a penalty shoot-out was to be felt following the ICUF Premier League quarter-final meeting of Athlone IT and UCC. Unfortunately for the unlucky home side, it was Athlone IT who felt the anguish of coming out on the wrong end of a penalty shoot-out. In the end, and after a 1-1 draw following extra-time, UCC prevailed 6-5 after a tense shoot-out. It was a game of very contrasting fortunes for Athlone striker Hafeez Sholola. The nippy forward equalised for Athlone after Luke Burgess had earlier given UCC the lead early in the second half of normal time. But it was Sholola who missed the crucial last penalty kick, seeing his shot saved by UCC netminder Eoin Kelly. Athlone IT included some recognisable faces to the local soccer fraternity, with both Anthony Hayes and Carmine Russo turning out in midfield. Hayes has established himself as a regular League of Ireland player in recent years with both Athlone Town and Limerick, while Carmine Russo played plenty of matches for Athlone Town last season but recently joined Midlands rivals Longford Town. St Peter"s striker Brian Caldwell, who has blazed a trail in the Combined Counties League in recent years, partnered Hafeez Sholola in the forward line, while Ballinahown duo Kevin Gaylard and Alan Fox were also included. There were also some more exotically named players in Athlone"s starting line-up, with two Italians (David Gilardo and Giovanni Tabellini) and a Dutch goalkeeper (Jan Wolter) among their ranks. UCC had a long trek from Munster to face Athlone and coped very admirably in these circumstances. The game was played on the all-weather facility at Athlone IT and the surface didn"t have a detrimental impact on proceedings, although the opening half lacked genuine goalmouth action. Hafeez Sholola had the game"s first shot in the fourth minute but his effort from a very acute angle was always going wide. Moments later though, UCC"s most creative player, Danny Duggan, floated over a dangerous free kick and Athlone were lucky to see the ball rebound kindly into Jan Wolter"s arms after Eoin McCarthy"s header crashed off the post. This was to prove the opening half"s most decent opportunity, although Brian Caldwell and Hafeez Sholola almost prised open the UCC defence on a couple of occasions. The only other real incident of note before the interval came when Hafeez Sholola received the first yellow card of the day just before the break. Athlone then had the worst possible start to the second half when Eoin McCarthy put Luke Burgess through on goal and he tucked the ball neatly past Jan Wolter. It was now an uphill task for Athlone but they reacted superbly and dominated large portions of the remainder of the match. And the home outfit were level in the 53rd minute. Alan Fox worked a short corner kick to Carmine Russo, who was having a greater influence as the game wore on, and his cross eventually found its way to Kevin Gaylard ten yards from goal. Gaylard"s strong shot was parried by Eoin Kelly and Hafeez Sholola pounced to smash the rebound into the net. Brian Caldwell almost put Athlone ahead after a neat pass by Eoghan Doody, but visiting "keeper Eoin Kelly blocked his low shot. UCC"s Stephen O"Brien received a booking for scything down Carmine Russo and the Cork side were struggling to handle Russo as the match progressed. UCC were relying on counter attacks at this stage while Athlone grew into the game. However, the away side had serious appeals for a penalty turned down when Stephen O"Brien went down in the box under a double challenge from David Gilardo and his Italian compatriot Giovanni Tabellini, the latter of whom was giving an excellent display in Athlone"s three-man central defence. On 80 minutes, Sholola"s well struck shot hammered into the side netting, before Brian Caldwell was unlucky not to net on a couple of occasions. Up the other end, Eoin McCarthy should"ve done better with a lobbed effort that drifted the wrong side of the post. Giovanni Tabellini was yellow carded for halting a positive run by UCC"s Eoin McCarthy and the visitors had a brilliant chance to end the tie with literally the last kick of the game, but Eoin McCarthy"s cross-goal shot was narrowly wide. At that, referee Ray Matthews blew the final whistle and two periods of 15 minutes ensued. A dynamic run by Athlone"s Craig Tone was the highlight of the opening period of extra-time, as two tired teams cancelled each other out. Athlone also had the best chance of the second period of extra-time. Carmine Russo set up Anthony Hayes but his shot, which was destined for the roof of the net, was spectacularly pushed over the crossbar by Eoin Kelly. And it was Eoin Kelly who had the final say in proceedings, saving low to his right to keep out Hafeez Sholola"s penalty kick with the score poised at 6-5 in UCC"s favour. However, Athlone IT can still look forward to their second round clash in the Umbro CFAI Cup, which is due to take place today (Wednesday, February 4) in the AIT grounds at 2pm. Athlone IT: Jan Wolter; Ben Reynolds; Alan Fox; Giovanni Tabellini; Kevin Gaylard; Anthony Hayes; Eoghan Doody; Carmine Russo; Brian Caldwell; Hafeez Sholola; David Gilardo. Subs: Craig Tone for Doody (64 mins); Declan Tonra for Reynolds (105). UCC: Eoin Kelly; Tommy Earls; Simon Hedderman; Rob Hourihan; Ciaran Forde; Michael McSweeney; Danny Duggan; Luke Burgess; Richard O"Donovan; Eoin McCarthy; Stephen O"Brien. Subs: Padraig O"Brien for O"Donovan (59 mins); Barry Kirby for McSweeney (90). Referee: Ray Matthews.