Newtown United march on

Massive result for Wicklow side in Leinster Senior Cup

BLUEBELL UNITED 1 NEWTOWN UNITED 1

NEWTOWN WIN 3-0 ON PENOS

LEAGUE of Ireland clubs beware, Newtown United are gunning for you.

The Magpies made history yet again on Sunday as they dumped Dublin outfit Bluebell United out of the Leinster Senior Cup.

By knocking out the league leaders of Major Division Saturday in the Leinster Senior, not only did they take pride of place in the WDFL but the Wicklow side also now advance to the fourth round, where League of Ireland clubs such as Shamrock Rovers, St. Patrick’s Athletic and Bray Wanderers will enter the hat.

And when the fourth round draw is made, the Premier Division champions will be praying that it is a League of Ireland club awaiting them.

After receiving a bye in the first round, the Matt Kelly Memorial Grounds outfit ousted Tallagh City thanks to goals from Dessie Waters and Dean Odlum.

All roads lead to Capco Park where United were flying the flag against one of the giants of the LSL.

United admitted they went up with a game plan but they fell behind on the hour mark.

Marty Williams forced extra time on 85 minutes as he levelled and the Magpies then entered dream land as they snuck in extra time after pressure from Mark Fitzsimons and Richard Franey forced the hosts to put through their own net.

The visitors were out on their feet though and could not hold on, submitting their lead just two minutes later to leave both sides facing the prospect of elimination by shoot-out.

Thankfully United goalkeeper Ciaran McGuirl came to the fore, saving three penalties and team-mates Sean Heffernan, Fitzsimons and Williams all kept their cool from 12 yards to seal victory.

United’s joint manager, Trevor O’Brien, says that Sunday was without doubt the biggest match in the club’s history. Although unsure of when the draw for the fourth round is, he is very sure that it is a League of Ireland scalp that they desire next.

Should their wish be granted, Newtown will once again head into the match with only one thing on their mind; victory. It will not be a day out for them, it’ll be a step closer to glory.

But thoughts of the Leinster Senior Cup will now be squeezed to the back of their minds.

They have a Premier Division crown to defend in the meantime and that gets back underway this weekend.