Newmarket push Cabo close in the FAI Cup

FAI Senior Cup

Newmarket Celtic-1

Cabinteely-2

Newmarket Celtic came close to registering a League of Ireland scalp on Saturday.

The Clare side finished within a goal of League of Ireland side Cabinteely and were in contention throughout the 90 minutes.

Indeed they were all square going into the final 20 minutes before a Luke Clucas came off the bench to inspire Cabo into a late two goal lead.

However, Irish amateur Eoin Hayes reduced the arrears and set up a tense finish with a brilliant volleyed finish- and where unlucky not to force extra time when Colum Treacy fired inches wide.

You couldn’t tell which side was amateur and which side played LOI football in a tight first half.

Pat Devlin’s men had the half’s best chance, but that early effort apart there was nothing between the sides.

The LOI side increased the tempo in the second half and looked more dangerous as a result.

However, it wasn’t until they introduced Clucas that they broke the deadlock. 

The sub set up Joe Doyle before volleying home brilliantly himself to make give the away side a cushion.

Hayes then reduced the arrears and ensured the home side went into the final few minutes with hope. However, they couldn’t force extra time and exited the contest.

Newmarket Celtic: Shane Cusack; David O’Grady, Paddy Purcell, David McCarthy, Darren Cullinan, Colum Treacy, Tino Nzvaura (Seamus Lawlor 84), Colin Smyth, Eoin Hayes; Gary Higgins (Daithi O’Connell 55), Kieran Mahoney (Ian Collins 84).