Shoot-outs rule the day

Arklow Celtic B and Wicklow Town hold nerve

PENALTY shoot-outs ruled the day in the Division 3B Shield as both Arklow Celtic B and Wicklow Town B won their 12-yard battle of wits to book semi-final spots.

Celtic welcomed Redbank United to Celtic Park and they appeared to be cruising towards the last four as goals from Joe McDonald and Cathal O’Meara put them two goals to the good. McDonald chipped the goalkeeper in the 28th minute from 25 yards and O’Meara doubled the advantage from the penalty spot.

Within five minutes, Redbank pulled a strike back and then deep into injury time, they pulled it out of the bag to force extra time.

Both sides had chances to win it in extra time but neither could so along came penalties. O’Meara had already proved a dab hand from 12 yards but now he was about to shine in a different way as he stood in as emergency goalkeeper and kept out three Redbank spot kicks to send his side into the last semi-final.

Wicklow Town had to hit the road for their match; an encounter with Carnew Celtic. The Back Alley men have been the whipping boys of Division 3 South but they got their act together for the visit of the Finlay Park men.

After 90 minutes, the scores were tied at 1-1; Conor Dickenson the goalscorer for the visitors. And in the shoot-out, Celtic failed with two of their efforts, meaning successful attempts from Conor Cox, Alan Delaney, Eric Conlon and Dickenson were enough to secure Town’s place in the next round.