FAI Junior Cup Semi-Final: Newmarket Celtic: 2 – Ballynanty Rovers: 1
Newmarket Celtic have become the first Clare club in 33 years to qualify for the final of the FAI Junior Cup.
The South-East Clare men defeated Ballynanty Rovers of Limerick in the semi-final of the national competition at Franky Healy Park this afternoon.
The men in red were first off the mark after just 15 minutes of action in Doora as a pinpoint cross from Eoin Hayes found the feet of Dean Hegarty who buried a low shot to the bottom left of the Ballynanty net to put Newmarket in front.
The Limerick men rallied in response, creating several scoring opportunities and their patience was rewarded on 40 minutes when the visitors equalized from close range to see the sides deadlocked at 1-1 going into the second half .
However the decisive moment came on the 80th minute mark when possession fell to Newmarket’s man for the big occasion, Eoin Hayes, as the Ireland amateur international issued a strike of sublime quality to see Celtic reclaim their advantage heading down the home straight.
Paddy Purcell’s charges ultimately weathered the Ballynanty storm in the closing stages to hold on for a famous victory in Frank Healy Park on a full time score of 2-1.
Newmarket Celtic will now play St. Michael’s of Tipperary in the decider with fixture details to be confirmed.
