Shannon Town B 2

Adrian Carew ⚽

Eoin Collins ⚽

Newmarket Celtic B 2 (AET)

(Shannon Town win 4-3 on penalties)

Shannon Town welcomed Newmarket to Corrib Drive for the 2nd time this season after the opening game of the League saw Newmarket come out on top with a 5-1 win, the home side looking to make amends and get one back on them and did so narrowly winning on penalties in the end.

The home side started the stronger and dominated possession for most of the first half and played some lovely football in the first 30 minutes with the front 3 of Jamie O Shea, Eoghan Maxwell and Adrian Carew finding space and moving the ball well but couldn’t put together that cutting edge in the final third. The hard working midfield of Evan Glynn, Conor Slattery and Karl Scott dominated and dictated play with the Newmarket defenders having to make last ditch tackles and cut out some great crosses into the box, the home side couldn’t convert into goals. Shannon Town disappointed to go in at the break 0-0, with the whether deteriorating it was going to be a bigger task in the 2nd half.

The 2nd half started much the same with the Town attackers advancing further up the field pushing for that all important opening goal, and nearly did so on the stroke of 55 minutes when Eoghan Maxwell played a through ball to full back Luke Cahill, he fizzed a cross into the 6 yard box only to see the on rushing Jamie O Shea and Adrian Carew failing to connect with the cross to divert it goal ward. Jamie O Shea picking up an injury in the 65th minute saw Eoin Collins replace him who immediately made an impact winning balls and driving forward at every chance he got. With 80 minutes gone a delightful passage of play developed down the left wing when Brian O Donoghue found Eoghan Maxwell with a pass down the wing who in turn squared to Eoin Collins with his back to goal he played a perfect pass to Adrian Carew 20 yards out who skipped past the holding midfielder and let loose with a venomous strike to see it loop over the Newmarket keeper, hit the crossbar and post and finish in the net! 1-0 to the home side. At this stage it looked like the Town were going to hold on for the win but on 88 minutes disaster struck when an attack from the home side was cut short, the Newmarket defender played a ball over the top to the on rushing Newmarket winger who fired past Kyle O Callaghan in the Shannon Town net. 1-1 after 90minutes.

Extra time started with the away side the better team, winning breaking balls and attacking well they were awarded a soft penalty after the Newmarket attacker when over in the box to see the referee point to the spot, the Newmarket striker converted to make it 2-1. A 2nd yellow card for the Town keeper saw him sent off in the 9th minute, Gary Cusack taking over the gloves for the remainder of extra time. The home side annoyed and angered with what developed in the first half of extra time saw them push forward again with determination and grit and were rewarded themselves with a penalty of their own when Eoin Collins was brought down in the box after a last ditch tackle from the Newmarket defender. Eoin dusted himself down and calmly slotted home. 2-2 AET. With Adrian Carew, Evan Glynn, Eoghan Gough and Eoin Collins firing home their spot kicks and Gary Cusack making 2 fantastic saves saw the Home side win the shootout and advance to the next round of the Munster Junior Cup setting up a tie with near neighbours Shannon Olympic A.

Next up for the B Team this Sunday is league leaders Tulla United at Corrib Drive for a 2pm kick off once again.