*Gearoid O’Brien celebrates with Darragh Leahy. Photograph: Joe Buckley
A WIDE SMILE was etched across the face of Newmarket Celtic’s latest match-winner Gearoid O’Brien in the beaming sun of Jackman Park after he headed them into the final of the Munster Junior Cup.
With seventy seven minutes on the clock, O’Brien made a perfect connection with a corner from David McCarthy leaving Josh McCarthy with no chance of getting his hands to the header.
While the ball fired past the Fairview Rangers goalkeeper, it also sent Newmarket straight into the Munster Junior Cup final and ensures they will line out in provincial and national finals in the one season, for the first time in their history.
Supporters rushed onto the field to congratulate and savour the occasion with the Newmarket Celtic players. There were plenty of pats on the back, hugs and well-wishes. O’Brien was among those receiving the plaudits but he was also reminded by his fellow squad member Cathal Hayes “it’s about time you scored”, quickly trying to bring him down to earth.
It was one of the exchanges that widened the grin on O’Brien’s face. “It’s some club, it’s a very passionate club, the A team and B team have unbelievable support, some special supporters,” he told The Clare Echo.
Signed by previous manager, Mark O’Malley, the Kilrush man was quick to point out that although it’s been a positive run to date, they have nothing yet to show for their efforts. “We’re delighted with how things are going, we’re keeping our foot on the ground, we haven’t won anything yet, we’re still in three competitions but we’ve nothing won yet and we’re focused on all three of them”.
Fairview Rangers represented one of their toughest games of the season with the reigning Munster Junior Cup champions posing their biggest date to date, O’Brien felt. “Fairview are a quality side, we knew that coming into it but we were very poor in the first half and we stayed in it, we got our chance and we took it”.
Shane Cusack managing to keep a clean sheet in the opening half was vital, Gearoid maintained. “It was crucial that we didn’t concede a goal in the first half, there’s not much between any of the teams in the FAI or Munster Junior Cup at this stage, we kept it tight at the back and that was the main thing”.
Gearoid who made his debut for the Clare senior footballers in 2017 and is no longer part of Colm Collins’ squad insisted that the focus within Newmarket-on-Fergus is now a game by game approach.
Listed among the substitutes, Gearoid was sprung into action earlier than expected after Dean Hegarty sustained a knee injury after five minutes. He was pleased with how he adapted to proceedings. “I was delighted with my performance, I came on early for the FAI again and a bit earlier even again today so I’m delighted”.
Adding to the pride was his impressive header to seal the win. He and later David McCarthy admitted it was a move that had been honed on the training ground of McDonagh Memorial Park. “It was a good finish, it was something we worked on in training, it came straight off the training ground to be honest”.
Equally as eye-catching as the header was his celebration with Gearoid confirming that his inspiration was Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse.
