‘We haven’t been put to the pin of our collars like that in a couple of years’ – Russell relieved as Avenue Utd survive semi-final scare

*Steven McGann heads the ball beyond Alan Mulready. Photograph: Joe Buckley

AVENUE UTD’s bid to win three Clare Cup titles in a row survived a big scare but “depth of character” shone through for the holders.

Two goals in extra time from Steven McGann helped Avenue overcome Bridge Utd in Frank Healy Park on Saturday evening.

David Russell who has led the club to win back to back Cup titles was relieved that his side came back from conceding in extra time to go back in front and claim the win.

He told The Clare Echo, “we haven’t been put to the pin of our collar like that in a couple of years. To score twice in the last five minutes of extra time to win the game is unbelievable. I just said to the lads there, that shows the depth of character, that we haven’t needed for a while but when we needed it everyone dug deep, from one to twenty five. It’s unbelievable, I’m still digesting it, its heartbreak for the Bridge but we are in our third final in a row, I’m absolutely delighted”.

Luke Woodrow who lined out with Tulla Utd and Bridge Utd before joining Avenue Utd produced arguably his greatest game between the posts for the Roslevan based club. “He was the man of the match by a country mile, he kept us in it when we had a bit of a falter. I thought we started really well, had fifteen minutes where we sort of lost our way, Luke stepped in, that’s what we got him for, he made unbelievable saves,” Russell reflected.

A former centre-half with the club, David said, “the ‘Bridge put on the pressure and we knew they would, I think they have won their last seven games. We knew it was going to be a tough task, they really gave it their all right up to the very end, the tie could have gone either way, lucky we came out of it helped by a bit of class from Steven McGann, He showed a lot of composure. We are into the final and looking forward to it”.

Russell acknowledged they were fortunate the Bridge did not have a penalty moments before McGann equalised with a spot kick. “The minute the whistle went I looked on the line and Brian Punch had flagged for offside thankfully, it was a definite penalty if it hadn’t been offside. Then we go down yhe other side, Na drove into the box and won the penalty. Steven McGann has come to the club having played at a high level for numerous years. To score a goal with three minutes to go to level it shows the class and the composure the man has”.

Attention then began to switch to reigniting their rivalry with Newmarket Celtic with encounters in both the league and Clare Cup final on the horizon. “We have Newmarket next week. We need a point from the last two games for the league title. We will be going to Newmarket to win the game, we are not going to sit back”.