MFA Junior Cup Semi Final: Aisling Annacotty 3-2 Newmarket Celtic
Newmarket Celtics wait for a first MFA Junior Cup title goes on after defeat to Aisling Annacotty in Jackman Park.
Darragh Leahy’s injury time goal proved to be mere consolation with Newmarket’s decade long absence from the final of this competition set to extend to an 11th season.
The loss of Eoin Hayes to injury inside the opening minutes for Newmarket was a blow, with Kieran Mahony being sprung from the bench to replace the veteran.
Aisling were first to strike as Joel Coustrain netted the first of his brace on the night in the 26th minute following good work from Seanie O’hAodha.
Newmarket levelled before the break as Dean Hegarty teed up Conor McDaid to fire home.
The sides were tied 1-1 at the break, but Newmarket looked to have legitimate penalty claims waved away when Hegarty was upended in the area.
Two goals in a ten minute spell after the restart put Aisling in control of the tie, with Coustrain netting his second before the influential Adam Foley slotted home a third for his side to put them 3-1 ahead in the 63rd minute.
There was an edge to the game throughout and it spilled over when Aisling defender Jamie Halpin was shown a straight red card in the 67th minute to give Newmarket a lifeline. Newmarket would finish with four yellow cards on the pitch, while a member of their coaching staff was shown a straight red card late on.
Newmarket piled on the pressure in the closing stages and were rewarded when Leahy found the target but it was one of the last actions of the game as Aisling held on to advance to the final.
