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)