Willow Park claim notable scalp away to Dublin outfit

WILLOW Park claimed another notable victory last Friday evening, as the Athlone side conquered Leinster Senior League outfit Glebe North on their home patch in Dublin. The 1-0 victory, sealed by Colm Hyland's 35th minute goal, ensured Willow progressed to the third round of the Leinster Senior Cup, and one win away from a possible meeting with a League of Ireland club in the first round proper. Last season, Willow also defeated Glebe North in the competition's opening round, and went on to reach the quarter-finals of the Leinster Senior Cup, before losing to Killester Utd. Assistant manager Conor Frawley, a former defensive stalwart with Athlone Town, described last Friday's display as Willow's "best of the season". And he said the club is now relishing their FAI Junior Cup 5th Round tie (last 64) at Evergreen (Kilkenny) this coming Sunday. "It was probably our best performance of the season so far," said Frawley. "We played very well and at a very high tempo. We never let Glebe North settle, and they're a very decent side, but we definitely deserved to win and probably should have scored a few more. "Our defence was outstanding, but it was the contribution of the whole team that was most pleasing. Our closing down was brilliant, and the great fitness levels and intensity of our players really stood out. Colm Hyland scored a great goal but, to be honest, we could have been two or three up by half-time, if things had gone our way. "The goal was fully deserved and we're delighted with the win, but the focus goes on Evergreen now, and trying to continue to progress in the FAI Junior Cup," he added. Frawley said Willow have been getting good results this season (they're currently unbeaten in all competitions), but have so far not reached the high standards set in recent years. "We've only been playing okay, but it's a good sign when you're not playing to full potential but still getting good results. We've started to pick it up a gear or two in the last couple of games, and although we know Evergreen will be a tough challenge, we're confident of going there and getting another good result," said Frawley, who also played League of Ireland football with both Finn Harps and Longford Town, as well as Crusaders in the Irish League. "We've won the Combined Counties League Senior Division four years in a row, and also the Leinster Junior Cup, but the FAI Junior Cup is the one we want to do very well in. "We have a squad capable of challenging on all fronts, but you need a bit of luck in cup competitions as well. If we can get past Evergreen and into the last 32, then who knows how far we can go in the FAI Junior Cup," Frawley added.