Newcestown into semis after beating Kanturk on penalties
BREAKING THROUGH: Newcestown's Edmund Kennelly tackling Kanturk's Alan Walsh. Pic: Denis Boyle
This Cork Senior AFC quarter-final wasn’t so much an arm wrestle as a mud fight, and one that required penalties to separate the combatants.
It took Christopher White’s pair of penalty saves to finally divide Newcestown and Kanturk, keeping the West Cork hopes of a Senior A double alive.
After their hurling semi-final against Carrigtwohill next Saturday, they now have a final-four clash with Newmarket to look forward to.
They made the right calls in the frantic final moments. Edmund Kenneally and Niall Kelly were subbed back in for the shoot-out and they slotted their kicks for a 2-0 lead, while White guessed right to bat away Alan Walsh’s opener.
Kanturk had tried to bring on Cameron Hendry in the final play but after some debate, referee Robert Whelan ruled the whistle was already blown.
Paul and Ian Walsh kept Kanturk alive but Newcestown were perfect from the sodden spot, with Tadhg Twomey and Jack Meade skittling their shots across the line.
Grantus Bucinskas stepped up for the decisive penalty but he made poor contact and White did the rest.
It was a never-say-die effort from Newcestown who crawled back from three points behind to level in both regulation and extra-time.
Both of these sides were debutants at this grade – Kanturk newly promoted, Newcestown just relegated – but the Westerners were out to avenge a hurling semi-final defeat from two years ago.
Kanturk were the group stage’s highest scorers and second-highest for scores conceded but on a pitch that was waterlogged in parts, this was always going to be about control.
If Newcestown manager Tim Buckley hailed their final-round victory as “champagne football”, this turned to vinegar at times but was tense and tight all through.
The half-time score read Newcestown 0-2, Kanturk 0-1. As many first-half points as there were frees for picking the ball off the ground. There was no score in the entire second quarter.
David Buckley’s pair of frees were slotted either side of an Ian Walsh point which came after an ultra-patient three-minute build-up.
Bucinskas also had a goal chance snuffed out by White in the only other significant goalmouth action.
Kanturk had created more chances, however, and with John Browne excellent at full-back and Tommy Walsh and Brian O’Sullivan carrying well, they pushed 1-4 to 0-3 ahead by the 46th minute.
Chris Mullane had their first score in half an hour followed by an Ian Walsh free and a Lorcan McLoughlin kick. Their goal profited from a Newcestown slip, Paul Walsh feeding his brother Ryan to apply the finish.
But Buckley looked the most comfortable with the boot in these conditions and he kicked a pair of frees after a point from captain Luke Meade.
Then, perhaps, the most decisive moment. Ryan Walsh’s fierce shot cannoned off the inside of both posts and out to O’Sullivan but his follow-up hit the upper post. Two shots, three pings off the post, and Newcestown were still alive.
Their subs made a difference, working the ball patiently for Micheál McSweeney to fist the 61st-minute leveller. 0-7 to 1-4.
Gearóid O’Donovan was black-carded deep into stoppage time but, crucially, he had already been booked. His red card meant he could be replaced for extra-time, rather than leave Newcestown down to 14 men for 10 minutes.
Both teams changed into a new set of jerseys but it was the one Kanturk man who didn’t swap that got their second goal; late substitute Hendry hacking a loose ball to the net.
It was cancelled out by another substitute, Carthach Keane, who seized upon a Colm Dineen cross that wasn’t gathered by the keeper.
“Control the ball and you win the game” was the shout from the Newcestown huddle and the second extra period was played with minimal risks; Cian Twomey’s deflected shot the only attempt at the posts.
D Buckley (0-5, 4 frees); C Keane (1-0); M McSweeney, L Meade (0-1 each).
R Walsh, C Hendry (1-0 each); I Walsh (0-2, 1 free); C Mullane, L McLoughlin (0-1 each).
C White; T Horgan, C Twomey, N Murray; J Kelleher, M McSweeney, L Meade (capt); C Goggin, G O’Donovan; R O’Sullivan, T Twomey, J Kenneally; N Kelly, E Kenneally, D Buckley.
S O’Sullivan for J Kenneally (45), C Keane for Kelly (45), J Meade for E Kenneally (55), C Dineen for Kelleher (55), R Sweeney for O’Donovan (e-t), E Collins for L Meade (68, inj), E Kenneally for R O’Sullivan (75), N Kelly for S O’Sullivan (79).
G O’Donovan (60+2).
R Cashman; J McLoughlin, J Browne, D Browne; B O’Sullivan, Aidan Walsh, T Walsh; Alan Walsh, P Walsh; C Mullane, R Walsh, L McLoughlin; G Bucinskas, C Walsh, I Walsh.
C Clernon for R Walsh (38-40, blood), C Hendry for Bucinskas (59), Clernon for C Walsh (64, inj), M Healy for L McLoughlin (h-t e-t), Bucinskas for Hendry (73, inj).
R Whelan (Aghada).
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