NEWCESTOWN 0-18

CARRIGALINE 0-18 

(aet, Newcestown win 4-3 on pens)

GER McCARTHY REPORTS

NEWCESTOWN outlasted Carrigaline on penalties following an epic McCarthy Insurance Group Cork Premier SFC quarter-final at a sun-kissed Páirc Uí Rinn last Sunday. 

It was fitting that an instant classic between two teams level on no less than ten occasions was decided by spot kicks.

For Newcestown, victory cemented a last four berth in the county’s top footballing tier for only the second time in the club’s history.

Luke Meade converted the winning penalty but that was a mere footnote to an afternoon full of drama and with nothing to separate two evenly matched teams until a penalty shootout.

Whilst Newcestown’s mentors and players celebrated, the sight of Carrigaline’s players, flat out on their feet, was a sobering image. Michael Meaney’s side contributed much to a memorable quarter-final and there is more to come from this Carrigaline team in the coming years.

Yet, Sunday belonged to a Newcestown panel that underlined why their previous victory over county champions Castlehaven was no fluke.

Newcestown captain Luke Meadre gets to the ball ahead of Carrigaline's Niall Quirke.

‘There was plenty of stress and plenty of tension but it was still a good game of football that went down to the wire,’ Newcestown manager Jim O’Sullivan told The Southern Star.

‘There was never much between the teams so it is great to come out the right side of penalties. It is probably an unfair way to finish a game. Great character by the players that went up and took the penalties though and the keepers as well.

‘Over the years, the lads have been involved in plenty of tight games. Two years ago, we played Kanturk and that went to penalties. I know Carrigaline beat Kanturk last year on penalties but it does show a lot of bottle from each set of players to step up and take a penalty.

‘I was delighted the way our lads did it.’

David Buckley top scored with nine points and was thrilled to reach the last four of the Premier SFC.

‘I’m absolutely delighted,’ Buckley beamed.

‘Look, we never make it easy for ourselves, never hammer teams, but we don’t really get hammered either. Carrigaline are a fine team and, I thought, the better side today. We couldn’t get on top of their kick outs but stuck at it like we always do, in fairness.

‘Now we have a chance, taking on Nemo Rangers in a county semi-final and we cannot wait for it. Nemo are probably one of the top teams in the country and known for winning county titles. I have no doubt we will be ready in two weeks’ time.’

Newcestown's David Buckley breaks through the challenge of Carrigaline's David Griffin.

Tied 0-7 apiece at the end of an even opening half, the second period would prove just as tight.

An injured Brian O’Driscoll’s introduction off the bench was a welcome boost for a Carrigaline team that needed Niall Coakley’s injury-time equaliser to level the score, 0-13 apiece, at the end of normal time.

Two ten-minute periods of extra-time began with Newcestown patiently retaining possession and forcing their opponents to defend deep. The tactic worked as the West Cork club moved the ball to Jack Meade who split the posts from wide on the right.

The award of a free presented David Buckley with an opportunity to extend his team’s advantage and he duly obliged. 0-15 to 0-13 down, Kevin O’Reilly swiftly halved the deficit before firing over a cracking effort to bring parity once again to the score.

A superb Niall Coakley two-pointer had Carrigaline supporters on their feet heading towards the final interval. Yet, the West Cork side dug deep through David Buckley (free) and a fisted Niall Kelly effort to make 0-17 each at the last changeover.

Richard O’Sullivan edged Newcestown back in front a minute after the restart but there was no further score, during a nervous period, until the stroke of full-time when Éanna Desmond fisted over to equalise. It ended 0-18 apiece, heralding a penalty shootout to decide the outcome.

Each team missed one of their first three spot-kicks as Brian Coakley’s effort was saved and Richard O’Sullivan blazed over the bar. Seamus O’Sullivan and Tadhg Twomey converted, as did Niall Coakley and Brian O’Driscoll before Niall Kelly and Kevin O’Reilly also goaled.

Newcestown manager Jim O'Sullivan.

That meant it all came down to the final two penalties. Carrigaline’s Éanna Desmond could only watch as Christopher White tipped his effort onto the post.

Finally, Cork senior hurler Luke Meade stepped forward and found the back of the net to send Newcestown into a county semi-final meeting with Nemo Rangers.

What a game and what a day for Newcestown.

‘Our reward for winning this game is playing Nemo Rangers in a semi-final in two weeks’ time,’ Jim O’Sullivan added.

‘We will relish the challenge. Containing any excitement around the club will be easy as these are humble lads. They will keep their feet on the ground.’

Scorers

Newcestown: D Buckley 0-9 (2 2ptf, 4f), S O’Sullivan, R O’Sullivan, L Meade 0-2 each, J Meade, N Kelly, D McAree 0-1 each.

Carrigaline: K O’Reilly 0-6 (1f), N Coakley 0-5 (1 2pt), É Desmond (2f), B Coakley (1 45) 0-3 each, B O’Driscoll 0-1.

Newcestown: E McSweeney; P Kelly, C O’Donovan, J Kelleher; R O’Sullivan, C Dineen, M McSweeney; S O’Donovan, E Collins; L Meade (captain), T Twomey, D Buckley; J Meade, D McAree, S O’Sullivan.

Subs: N Kelly for D McAree (43), C Keane for T Twomey (51), C O’Sullivan for C Dineen (73), T Twomey for J Meade (77), C White for E McSweeney (80).

Carrigaline: C Dungan; D King, N Quirke, C O’Herlihy; D Griffin, K McCarthy, J McCarthy (captain); P Mellet, N O’Keeffe; N Coakley, C Barrett, K Kavanagh; E Desmond, B Coakley, K O’Reilly.

Subs: B O’Driscoll for N O’Keeffe (35), S Andrews for D Griffin (56), N O’Keeffe for S Andrews (et), E Ryle for P Mellet (72).

Referee: John Ryan (Macroom).