This article is from page 62 of the 2011-03-22 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 62 JPG
Lifford 2 – Newmarket Celtic 1 at Cassidy Park, Drumcliffe
NEWMARKET Celtic are flying high at the top of the Premier Division and closing in on their first title in three years, but their Clare Cup drought will extend to a dozen years at least.
All because they were dumped out of this year’s competition by Lifford, who have go all the way back to 1976 for their last success in the blue riband of the game in Clare.
They reached the last eight for the first time since 2009 thanks staving off Newmarket in the second half, with Jean Silva in goal and central defenders Mickey Joe O’Sullivan and Hamed Kuku in inspiring form as they doggedly held on to the 2-1 lead they’d carved out by half-time.
The home side got a dream start when Lunga Balman latched onto a through ball from midfield, used his strength to fend off a couple of Newmarket defenders before planting the ball past Kieran McGlynn in goal.
Newmarket were back on terms after 30 minutes when Davy Wall’s pile-driver took a deflection off Eoin Hayes and flew to the Lifford net past Jean Silva, but Lifford wee back in front five minutes later when Gary McNaboe raced into the area and was fouled for a penalty that Ryan Boyle dispatched to the net.
Those three first half goals may have rounded off the scoring, bu there was no shortage of goalmouth action in the second half as Newmarket laid siege on the Lifford goal.
The Ennis side were content to soak up the pressure and try and hit Newmarket on the break, a ploy which nearly paid dividends in the 63rd minute when Conor Donnellan was foiled by a great save from Kieran McGlynn.
Donnellan also had a penalty claim turned down, as did TJ Ajisomo, but the other penalty area was the scene for much more activity as Newmarket threw everything into getting the equaliser.
Substitute Kieran Devitt, a cup winner with Rineanna Rovers two years ago, had a great chance to get his side on terms on 84 minutes but was foiled by Jean Silva.
However, Newmarket were conviced they’d got back on terms five minutes from time when Mike O’Malley’s header looked goalbound only for Jean Silva to claw it back into play. Newmarket protested that the ball had crossed the line but Dave McCarthy waved play on and with it Newmarket’s cup race was run.
Lifford
Jean Silva, Joe Lynch (Conor Donnellan), Hamed Kuku (Kieran Connelly), Mickey Joe Sullivan, Dylan Blake, Ryan Boyle,TJ Ajisomo, Gary McNaboe (Gary Browne), Ruairi Norrby, Roberto Pinto, Lunga Balman (Kieran Neenan).
Newmarket Celtic
Kieran McGlynn, Mark O’Malley (Davy O’Grady), Mark Donnellan, Eoin O’Brien, Paudie Hayes (Mike O’Malley), Mike Devitt (Kieran Devitt), Eoin Hayes (Gary Collins) (Neil Ryan), Darren Cullinan, Seamie Lawolor, Davy Wall, Mikey Crosby.
Man of the Match
Mickey Joe O’Sullivan (Lifford)
Referee
David McCarthy