Newmarket Celtic made history on Saturday evening as they won a fifth consecutive Clare Cup.
Prego Menswear Clare Cup Final
Avenue Utd B 0-2 Newmarket Celtic
Venue: County Grounds, Doora
Newmarket Celtic A completed an historic five in a row of Clare Cup titles with victory over Avenue Utd B at the County Grounds on Saturday evening. Both sides played some good football throughout and the contest was decided by two strikes from man of the match Eoin Hayes midway through the first half.
There was little between the teams in the opening exchanges with both sides having periods of dominance without creating any clear cut chances. The first chance of the match fell to Seamus Lawlor for Newmarket on 15 minutes when he headed over from a good delivery from Darren Cullinan. A good ball in from a corner by Eoin Hayes created an opening for Stephen Kelly but his effort went wide of the target on 18 minutes.
A good run and cross from Sean Corry for Avenue on 22 minutes found Jack Arra at the back post and he turned well before hitting a good strike narrowly wide of the target. Great work from Stephen Kelly in his own half on 25 minutes when first winning a strong challenge and then sending a fine through ball to put Hayes through on goal but before he could pull the trigger he was fouled by Brian Callinan and referee Pa Gleeson made the correct decision in awarding a penalty and yellow card for Callinan.
Hayes fired the penalty low to the left corner to put Newmarket in front. They were nearly two clear a minute later when a shot from David McCarthy was deflected narrowly wide. Avenue were in big trouble on 30 minutes when Brian Monaghan and Hayes linked up well in the box and Hayes persistence created an opening which he duly dispatched to the right corner to to give Newmarket a two goal cushion.
Avenue came close to getting back in it on 38 minutes but a good effort from Killian O’Daly was deflected out for a corner by David O’Grady. Just before half time a well struck effort from the edge of the box by Seamus Lawlor brought a fine save out of Killian Culligan in the Avenue goal as it remained Avenue Utd B 0-2 Newmarket Celtic A at the break.
Avenue tried hard throughout the second half but were unable to create any clear cut chances as Newmarket closed up shop and defended well as a team for the entire half. Newmarket came close to adding to their lead on 60 minutes when Hayes and McCarthy linked up well and a fine effort from McCarthy brought a great save from Culligan.
Hayes was unlucky not to complete hat-trick on 75 minutes after a good run and shot that rebounded off the post. Brian Monaghan saw his effort from the rebound hit the crossbar and fall into the awaiting hands of Culligan. Both sides emptied the bench in the second half but there was no change to the half time score as Newmarket earned a deserved victory over an Avenue side who battled to the final whistle.
Newmarket have had a great season in all competitions and finally now have some silverware to show for their efforts. If they can win their remaining two League games against Sporting Ennistymon and Avenue Utd A, they will overtake Bridge Utd who have a five point advantage and claim the Maloney Garden Machinery Premier Division title.
Newmarket Celtic A: Niall Quinn, David O’Grady, Darren Cullinan, Mark Donlon, Paddy Purcell, Ian Collins, Stephen Kelly, Seamus Lawlor, Brian Monaghan, Eoin Hayes, David McCarthy. Subs: Alan Kelly for Lawlor, Ronan McCormack for McCarthy, Michael Crosby for Cullinan, Eoin O’Brien for Stephen Kelly, Daithi O’Connell for Purcell
Avenue Utd B: Killian Culligan, Dean D’Auria, Shane Browne, Tadhg Murphy, Brian Callinan, Shaun O’Flanagan, Jack Arra, Barry Cusack, Sean Corry, Kieran Thynne, Killian O’Daly. Subs: Kingsley Makombe for Callinan, Sean Doherty for Corry, Ronan Kerin for O’Daly, Keith Dormer for Murphy, Greg Howard for O’Flanagan
Referee: Pa Gleeson, Assistant Referees: James Ferns & Shane Hayes, 4th Official: Terry Kennedy.
Video highlights courtesy of Daniel Drzewiecki.
Treacys West County Hotel Clare & District Soccer League Fixtures
Tuesday 7th June 2016
Maloney Garden Machinery Premier Division
McDonagh Pk: Newmarket Celtic A v Sporting Ennistymon A 7pm John Grier
Friday 10th June 2016
Maloney Garden Machinery Premier Division
Roslevan: Avenue Utd A v Newmarket Celtic A 7pm Martin O’Brien
Saturday 11th June 2016
CDSL Charity Cup
County Grounds, Doora 6pm
Clare Referees v Clare O40’s
Rob Hennessy (Ref)
Note: Anyone interested in playing can contact David McCarthy on 0860677788 or Bazil Whelan on 086385900
Note: All results to be with Donal Kirby on 085-1765828 immediately after games otherwise a €40 fine will be incurred.