Awesome Avondale bag four-in-a-row

Avondale United continued their dominance of the FAI Umbro Intermediate Cup by claiming a record-equalling four titles in-a-row with a dominating display against UCD at Turner’s Cross yesterday.

John Ryan’s side controlled the game from start to finish and the two late goals put a fair reflection on the scoreline as Avondale matched the record set by Distillery, who won the cup from 1939-42.

It is a remarkable achievement for manager John Ryan, who took over from John Cotter last summer. After losing a manager, who had won so much last season, it was always going to be very difficult for the incoming boss to keep the momentum and the winning mentality going. And to lose three of your better players in Mark O’Sullivan, Liam Kearney and Kevin Mulcahy to Cork City midway through the season made the job even more difficult.