Newmarket Celtic 1 Moher Celtic 0
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A superb left foot volley from Killian Howard decided the under 19 cup final at the county grounds in Doora on Monday and completed a great weekend for Newmarket Celtic.
Less than forty eight hours earlier Celtic captured the junior cup title for the third year in a row, the first time that the club achieved that feat.
Monday’s final was a repeat of the Michael O’Gorman youths cup final of two weeks ago when Moher emerged victorious and many of the same players were in action in this decider.
The all important goal came in the twentieth minute when Howards powerful left foot volley found the top corner of Keith Sexton’s net. It was a goal worthy of any final.
Five minutes earlier Moher were reduced to ten players when Sean Noonan saw red for a tackle on Cathal Hayes.
On the run of play, the Brian Arthur manager Newmarket deserved their half time lead but they can count themselves somewhat fortunate to have held on to this lead throughout the second half which Moher dominated. However, the North Clare outfit failed to breakdown a strong Newmarket defence in which the back four of Conor McCarthy, who excelled throughout, Liam O’Connor, Shane Mullaney and Brendan Harkin dominated.
The opening exchanges were evenly contested but the sending off, followed by Howard’s goal, saw the new champions gain an advantage which they held to half time.
For the second half Moher introduced Dioraing McNamara to the centre of their defence in place of James Considine and they stepped up a gear from the resumption of play. Indeed, for much of the third quarter one would be forgiven for thinking that it was Moher who had the extra player such was their dominance but they just could not break down a strong Newmarket backline.
The introduction of Owen Mulcahy and, in particular, Paudie Conway, helped Newmarket to get back in control and they came close to doubling their advantage when a Howard free caused problems for the North Clare side’s defence.
Just before the full time whistle, Keith Sexton saved from Newmarket full back Conor McCarthy.
After the game Clare league registrar Frankie Gormley and secretary Oliver Fitzpatrick presented medals to the winners and runners up. the man of the match award was presented to Newmarket’s Michael Hasty while Gormley presented the cup to the winning captain Cathal Hayes.
Newmarket Celtic;–Sean Kennedy; Conor McCarthy, Liam O’Connor, Shane Mullaney, Brendan Harkin; Killian Howard, Shane McMahon, Michael Hasty, Andrew Russell, Cathal Hayes, Ian Collins;
Subs—Owen Mulcahy for McMahon; Paudie Conway for Russell;
Moher Celtic;–Keith Sexton; Michael Davenport, Adam Ralph, Cathal Nagle, Darren Nagle, James Considine, Jimin Dooley, Shane Doyle, Aidan Davidson, Sean Noonan, John Dillon;
Subs—Dioraing McNamara for Considine; Cillian Buckley for C. Nagle; Simon Ralph for Adam Ralph
Referee—Martin O’Brien; Linesmen Frankie Coote and Terry Kennedy
By Seamus Hayes