Red cards and goals galore as Newmarket advance

Newmarket Celtic A    4     Avenue United A   2
Newmarket Celtic progressed to the next round of the Munster Junior Cup when they overcame the challenge of their great rivals Avenue United A at McDonogh Park on Sunday.

The game produced plenty of talking points with six goals and three sendings off with controversy at the end as referee Martin O’Brien sent off a player from each side.

 

Avenue enjoyed their share of possession, especially in the opening half but they were unable to turn this into scores and this proved costly.

They enjoyed the better of matters in the opening quarter and took the lead midway when Scott Hennessy pounced to score.

It was a short-lived lead and ten minutes later Alan Kelly levelled for the home side when he scored after a great run and cross by Mark Donlon. This left the sides level at 1-1 at half time.

Just two minutes into the new half, Avenue went back in front when David McCarthy superbly converted a free kick from the edge of the area.

Three minutes later the sides were level again when Alan Brigdale pounced to find the net after some sloppy defending by the visitors.

Brigdale played a big part in the move that led to his side taking the lead with just over 20 minutes remaining. A neat turn by the Crusheen man resulted in a rash tackle by Avenue’s Pa Wilson and referee Martin O’Brien immediately pointed to the penalty spot while showing a second yellow card to the Avenue player which resulted in his dismissal. Michael Crosby dispatched the resultant spot kick to the net.

Now it was Avenue’s turn to chase an equaliser but the home side were enjoying the better of matters and they doubled their advantage with seven minutes remaining. Neil Ryan has just been introduced when he stooped low to head home and seal a 4-2 win for his side.

Shortly before the final whistle an off the ball incident involving Avenue’s David Russell and Newmarket’s Darren Cullinan resulted in both being shown straight red cards by the match official.

Newmarket Celtic: Jan Da Silva; David O’Grady, Darren Cullinan, Colm Treacy, Mark Donlon, Alan Kelly, Alan Brigdale, Mike Devitt, Daithi O’Connell, Diarmuid Nash, Michael Crosby.
Subs: Paudie Hayes for Nash; Ronan McCormack for Crosby; Neil Ryan for O’Connell.
Avenue United: Liam Deasy; Mattie Nugent, David Herlihy, Pa Wilson, David Russell, Alex Zmusko, Alan Roche, David McCarthy, Scott Hennessy, Barry Nugent, Mikey Mahoney.
Subs: Dean D’Auria for M Nugent; Pa Sherlock for Mahoney; Nicki Twumasai for Hennessy.