Celtic on top in cup decider

Newmarket Celtic B 4  Turnpike Rovers 1
Newmarket Celtic B were crowned Division 1 Cup champions when they proved too strong for Turnpike Rovers at the County Grounds on Sunday. It wasn’t a good day for the Pike, who ended the game with nine men after Ciarán Russell and Niall McMahon were both dismissed in the second half.

The winners took the lead midway through the first half when Kieran Crosby scored from the penalty spot but the Pike were back on terms before the short whistle after Ciarán Russell converted a free kick after he had been fouled. This left the score 1-1 at half-time.

Disaster struck for the Ennis side at the start of the second half when they lost Danny Russell with a hand injury. Already short the services of a number of regulars, Russell’s loss was a huge blow to their hopes.

At the same time, Newmarket went back in front when Kevin Feehily scored and from here on the Pike were fighting an uphill battle.

Celtic held the upperhand throughout the second half and added goals through Martin Mulqueen and Martin O’Neill, to seal victory.

After the game, Clare League secretary Oliver Fitzpatrick presented the trophy to the winning captain, Kieran Crosby.

Newmarket Celtic B: Trevor O’Donnell; Conor Cusack, Derek Moynihan, Jamie Cronan, Chris Noonan; Kieran Crosby, Seamus Considine, Eoin Kelly, David Barrett, Martin Mulqueen, Kevin Feehily.
Subs: Danny Conway, Shane McMahon and Martin O’Neill.
Turnpike Rovers: Declan O’Loughlin; Shane Moroney, Kenneth Kelly, Jason Carew, Danny Russell, David McMahon, Mark Woods, Ciarán Russell, Sean McNamara, Jason Hayes, Niall McMahon.
Subs: Ian Mounsey, Conor O’Brien, Sean McMahon.