*Cathal Cullinan is congratulated after scoring Newmarket Celtic’s third goal. Photograph: Joe Buckley
CLARE CUP champions Newmarket Celtic are through to their fourteen Cup final in fifteen years after overcoming neighbours Bridge Utd.
Newmarket Celtic 4
Bridge Utd 3
Venue: Frank Healy Park, Doora
Don’t let the scoreline fool you, it wasn’t the classic one may decipher from a semi-final between neighbours and rivals that also had seven goals. Rather it was a case of holders Newmarket Celtic tucking away three goals in the opening half and failing to push on, making hard work of the win while also allowing Bridge Utd get a lot closer than they should have.
From the get-go, when kick off had to be redone on three occasions, due to Newmarket Celtic players moving forward prematurely and the tip off not being in sync with the whistle, it was a sign that it wouldn’t be a straight-forward affair, the issuing of twelve yellow cards underlining this.
Twists and turns arrived in both halves, the standout moments being the failure to award Aidan Moloney a penalty in additional time when he was taken down by Tadhg Noonan plus the failure to discipline players from both sides for various off the field incidents which were far too common throughout the semi-final.
Newmarket started with more intent and purpose, they took the lead by the eighth minute when Kieran Mahony headed a Conor McDaid corner to the net. Mahony playing in a more central role had a greater influence on proceedings but was left unmarked and duly finished to the net for the opener. Johnson Mununkum almost headed to his own goal prior to this as Bridge struggled from the off.
Darragh Leahy almost doubled the lead, a minute from Mahony’s opener, Dean Hegarty put the ball across the box but Leahy didn’t manage to finish to the net.
Loose marking from the Bridge defence was punished again when Newmarket struck for their second goal. Netminder Shane Cusack gave an excellent delivery which saw the ball get beyond Josh Brack and Aidan Moloney on the right flank, Nathan Boaventura brought it forward and played a precision ball to Hegarty who was afforded far too much space and he made no mistake to make it 2-0 on sixteen minutes.
Tempers flared on and off the field, Darragh Leahy picking up a yellow card on twenty six minutes for a clash with William Bello. From the free, Bridge had their first real chance, Scott Kirkland did well to manufacture a shot but his effort went over the bar.
McDaid was the provider for Celtic’s third goal when his free was home by left-back Cathal Cullinan, the Bridge looked to be a beaten docket but they would up the ante somewhat in the second half.
Helping their cause was the numerical advantage that fell their way on fifty minutes. Striker Leahy was given his marching orders, picking up a second yellow card for throwing the ball away.
A scrappy finish from Kirkland saw Bridge pull a goal back on fifty sixty minutes to give the Sixmilebridge side some bit of impetus.
This took a dent when Newmarket were awarded a penalty, substitute Eoin Hayes was taken down, the spot kick from Dean Hegarty was saved by John Mulready but the winger finished the rebound. Seconds after doing so, he was taken down from behind by Liam Buckley, prompting some handbags between the sides.
Remarkably Hegarty’s finish was Newmarket’s last goal chance of the evening as the traffic was all diverted towards the Clarecastle side of Frank Healy Park. Bridge had the next eight chances, their endeavours saw Gary Leahy make a vital block on an Adam Fitzpatrick attempt while Shane Cusack made three saves including a superb diving one to deny Aidan Moloney on seventy minutes and the crossbar keeping out Dean Neary’s chance.
Along the way, Bridge did raid for two more goals. A Jack O’Halloran shot took a deflection on seventy nine minutes while O’Halloran was left free at the back post and picked up his second goal with ninety eight minutes on the clock. In between they had the Moloney penalty shout but it was their first half no-show that was the Bridge’s downfall.
As a result, Bridge fall to their third successive semi-final exit and end the season with no silverware, a disappointing end to a campaign which started with much promise. Minus Filip Mostowy who was in Liverpool, Bridge were also without the Mulready brothers, Lee and Alan along with Brian Corry. Best for Mark Culbert’s side were Adam Fitzpatrick, Scott Kirkland and Johnson Mununkum.
Double aspirations are still strong for Newmarket Celtic who let their standards slip in the second half. They were also guilty of losing their distraction when 3-0 ahead and wasting energy in needless incidents on and off the field. Their squad was tested as the tie wore on but they got over the line without the services of the injured trio of Ian Collins, David McCarthy and Cian McDonough along with Éanna Crimmins and Liam O’Connor. Top performers on the evening for Alan Gough’s charges were Shane Cusack, Kieran Mahony, Nathan Boaventura and Harvey Cullinan.
Gallery of photographs by Joe Buckley
Newmarket Celtic: Shane Cusack; Jack Kelly, Tadhg Noonan, Harvey Cullinan, Cathal Cullinan; Conor McDaid; Nathan Boaventura, Kelvin Mulqueen, Dean Hegarty; Kieran Mahony, Darragh Leahy.
Subs: Eoin Hayes for Mulqueen (55), Gary Leahy for Mahony (70), Cathal Hayes for Hegarty (99),
Bridge Utd: John Mulready; Kyle Kirby, Johnson Mununkum, Liam Buckley, Josh Brack; Scott Kirkland, Adam Fitzpatrick; Jack O’Halloran, William Bello, Aidan Moloney; Conor Henry.
Subs: Dean Neary for Henry (46) (inj), Caleb Lategan for Brack (55), Liam Flynn for Kirby (55), Darragh Whyte for Bello (90).
Referee: Brian Punch
