Bay FC 3-2 Boyne Harps (Tullys Bookmakers Cup)

Bay pulled off what could be the result of the round as they knocked out current premier division leaders Boyne Harps this morning,running out 3-2 winners on a fine morning at Muirhevnamor Astro.

Mark Larkin set the tone early on,sending a bullet of a free kick goalwards only to see his effort brilliantly saved by Boyne keeper jack Boylen. Boyne had the ball in the back of the net but Guy Bates was ruled offside before he finished. Shaun O’Connor was played in by Paddy Connor but the winger blasted his shot over the bar.

Boyne pressed late in the half but Kevin Mullen and his defense marshaled the Boyne front line well. The deadlock was broke 2 minutes before the interval, a fantastic through ball by Connor split the Boyne defence and as the keeper steamed out the intercept it, winger Kevin Scollon caught it on the half volley and lobbed the advancing keeper to send bay in one up at the break.

Boyne came out 2nd have with a point to prove and had the lions share of possession in the opening of the half, grabbing their equalizer as the ball came across the 6 yard box and Graham Reynolds was there to tap home from close range. Boyne pressed their possession home ten minutes later as they took the lead, Guy Bates with a fantastic finish, curling an effort into the far corner with little or no room and moments later they nearly made it 3 but for a fine finger tip save from bay keeper Mullen.

It looked like Bays chances of progressing were fading away but they kept there heads and kept playing football. Their patience paid off as sub Gavin Donnolly spun on a six pence and played O’Connor through, one on one the winger finished superbly to level the game up. It was set up for a grandstand finish and Bay duely delivered. With little or no time left Connor played a ball over the top and Mario Kolak took his time and slotted it into the bottom corner to send the B ay line into raptures! A deserved win on the day and Bay now wait to see who they face in the last 8 of the challenge cup.

Team : Kevin Mullen, Brian McCloskey, Joe Woods, Angelo Stanley, Pairic Browne, Kevin Scollon (Steven McGuinness 75), Shaun O’Connor, Anto McLaughlin (Johnny Winters 60), Paddy Connor, Mark Larkin (Gavin Donnelly 65), Alan McCartney (Mario Kolak 75)

Bay FC 5-2 Donacarney Celtic (Challenge Cup)

These two clubs know each other well having competed in division 3 together last season & been drawn against one another in the Leinster junior shield & O’Neill shield last season, Bay getting the better of the league results but Donacarney had the luck in the cup progressing in the leinster & beating bay to the O’Neill shield in the final.

It was Donacarney who took the lead early on, a break down the left and their winger whipped it in first time and despite a great point blank save from Bay keeper Kevin Mullen ,their number 10 was there to slot hone from close range. Bay struggled in the opening 20 minutes with Donacarney smothering the midfield and they nearly made it two in similar circumstances to the first only for Mullen to come to Bays rescues again. Paddy Connor and Alan McCartney tested the keeper from range and Quadri Olowu sent a stinging drive down the keepers throat but that was the best of Bays chances as dDonacarney seen out the half one up.

Bay came out a different side after the break, moving the ball well across the pitch and working a great opening for McCartney who seen his goal bound shot rebound off the foot of the post, in the keepers hast to collect the ball he turned with it in one hand and Olowu toe poked it home to even the game. Five minutes later Bay took the lead when Paddy Connor whipped in a corner & Pairic Browne rose highest to head home Bays 2nd to take the lead.

Moments later it was three as Shaun O’Connor broke down the right ,sent a first time ball across the box and McCartney was there to steer it home first time, his curling effort hitting the post & going in to complete a remarkable six minute period for Bay.

Paddy Connor put the game out of sight when Alfonso Crespo played him in and his low hard strike found the bottom corner. Donacarney were given a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty with 20 minutes to go which they finished but Bay took the gap back to three goals when Crespo met a corner and headed it across goal and full back Brian McCloskey was there with a diving header to claim his first goal for bay. A last 16 home tie against current premier division leaders Boyne Harps now awaits bay in the next round.

Team : Kevin Mullen, Brian McCloskey, Joe Woods, Angelo Stanley, Pairic Browne, Shaun O’Connor, Alfonso Crespo, Anto McLaughlin, Paddy Connor, Quadri Olowu, Alan McCartney (Mark Larkin 60)