FAI Junior Cup
Listowel Celtic- 3
Fenit Samphires- 2 (After Extra Time)
Daniel Clinton, Ger McCarthy
Our senior team were hugely unlucky to bow out of the FAI Junior Cup on Sunday after a massively entertaining 120 mins away to Listowel Celtic in the ever impressive Tannavalla grounds. Going away to a side who went unbeaten last season in the KDL Premier A was never going to be an easy task for our young side but our performance showed the level and strides this team has taken to be up their with the best sides in the county. The game started brightly with Listowel enjoying slightly more possession of the ball while not creating too much danger for Eoghan O’ Brien’s goal while Fenit looked ever dangerous on the counter attack through the speed and link up play of Sean Foley, Daniel Clinton, Bill Mullins and Ger McCarthy. As the game went on Fenit started to produce a lot more from midfield with Jack Savage and Peter McCarthy starting to get hold of the ball and bring all around into play. Our right back Kieran O Mahony epitomized the desire of the team to win with countless overlapping runs which Listowel were struggling to deal with. On the 30th minute a well whipped corner found Darren Lynch on the back post and when his header diverted to Daniel Clinton on the edge of the box he made no mistake with a fantastic volley giving Celtic’s keeper no chance. Fenit held on to this scoreline to the half with David O’ Sullivan and Darren Lynch at the back winning every ball that came near them.
Listowel came out with a point to prove and within 5 minutes caught Fenit napping and scored through a very well taken volley from former international Bryan Murphy. From here on in both teams looked to be getting tired and the game started to stretch with both teams creating chances with the best chance falling to Daniel Clinton whos effort smashed the woodwork and flashed across the box with no Fenit player able to slot it home. Celtic then got the upper hand through an unfortunate OG after a well delivered cross from Ian Murphy wasn’t dealt with. A moment of brilliance from Daniel Clinton in the 80th min was then to bring the game to extra time. Daniel picked up the ball on the half way line rounding numerous Celtic players on the way to goal only to be fouled in the box with the referee pointing to the penalty spot. Striker Ger McCarthy made no mistake in slotting the peno home sending the game to extra time.
With both teams struggling for legs in extra time it looked like the game was set for penalties only for a wonder strike worthy of winning any game from former Fulham player Paudie Quinn who volleyed home from 30 yards to secure the win. After this Fenit pushed and pushed but could not find the net. A fantastic game for any spectator and both teams can be proud of their performances. Best of luck to Listowel in the next round.