Newmarket Claim Hugh Kelly Cup After More Shootout Drama

Newmarket Celtic have added the Hugh Kelly Cup to their trophy haul.

It’s after Paddy Purcell’s side beat Avenue United on penalties in this year’s decider.

Newmarket took an early lead in the tie as Eoin Hayes created the opportunity for Darragh Leahy, and he made no mistake with the finish to send his side 1-0 up.

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It took until after the restart for Avenue to restore parity, with captain Ronan Kerin producing a deft finish to guide the ball past Shane Cusack in the 53rd minute.

The best chance of a winner in normal time fell to Dylan Casey just ten minutes later, but Cusack produced an outstanding save to deny him.

The game went straight to penalties after finishing 1-1 in the 90 minutes.

Avenue’s first spot kick was handed to Mark Roche but his effort flew over the crossbar.

It would prove a pivotal moment with the shootout coming down to the fifth kicker for Newmarket, and it was Harvey Cullinan who followed up his winner in the Munster Champions Trophy final with another cooly taken effort to seal the 5-4 victory.