Bridge United complete U-19 double

Bridge United 0   Newmarket Celtic 0
(United won 5-3 on penalties)

BRIDGE United completed the U-19 league and cup double when they defeated Newmarket Celtic in the cup decider at the County Grounds in Doora on Saturday evening.

It was fitting that goalkeeper John Mulready’s penalty should decide the outcome, as the Clare Oscar Traynor number one played a key part in the victory.

Given the difficulty with the wind, both goalkeepers had to be on the alert and they both did particularly well on the day.

The sides had met four times in the recently concluded league, with Bridge United recording a 4-2 win on March 20, while their previous two meetings ended in draws. Bridge won the league crown, with Newmarket finishing in second place. In the lead-up to the game, Newmarket had beaten their neighbours in the youths’ cup semi-final.

A strong wind blew directly down the pitch, which assisted the newly crowned champions in the opening half.

Defences dominated for the most part but Brian Monaghan caused a few problems for Newmarket and came close to breaking the deadlock on a few occasions midway through the first half. Newmarket central defender Shane Kelleher cleared off the line on one occasion and the game remained scoreless.

Fifteen minutes into the second half, a good Bridge move troubled Newmarket but Kevin Kelly’s pass was just too strong for the in-rushing Conor Deasy. Midway through the half, Newmarket’s Cathal Hayes saw his effort go wide, while he also forced a good save from Mulready.

Defences continued to dominate throughout extra time and the game was still scoreless when the final whistle sounded, resulting in a penalty shoot-out.

Bridge United went first and Brian Monaghan gave them the lead, before Newmarket’s Owen McCarthy saw his effort rebound off the crossbar. Brian O’Connor, Gavin McPhillips and Ryan White all scored for the winners, as did Killian Howard, John Feehily and Shane McMahon for Newmarket, leaving the Bridge 4-3 ahead with one kick each to take.

John Mulready was next up for the Bridge and he duly converted to ensure victory.
After the game, Clare Soccer League secretary Oliver Fitzpatrick presented the cup to the winners.

Bridge United: John Mulready; Gavin McPhillips, Kevin Kelly, Stephen Tuohy, Mark Hehir; Conor Deasy, Brian O’Connor, Mike Buckley, Dylan Fleming, Eric Carr, Brian Monaghan.
Subs: Ryan White for Kelly, Kieran Callaghan for Fleming and Eoin Guinan for Buckley.
Newmarket Celtic: Cathal Finnucane; Killian Howard, Liam O’Connor, Jamie Cronin, Shane Kelleher; Shane McMahon, Ryan Corry, John Feehily, James O’Brien, Cathal Hayes, Paudie Conway.
Subs: Owen McCarthy for Conway and Simba Makoni for Corry.
Linesmen: Terry Kennedy and Trevor White.
Referee: Martin O’Brien.