Real delight as ‘Well pick up AUL scalp

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NEWFOUNDWELL claimed a good scalp in round one of the Leinster Junior Cup on Sunday when they edged out top AUL outfit Real Transilvania in difficult conditions at St Joseph’s.

Eighteen-year-old left-back Paul Moore made his first-team debut and produced a man-of-the-match performance, and he was involved twice in the move that led to the Drogheda side’s opening goal.

Moore combined with John Kermode to set up Dean Carolan who slotted home, while Carolan also hit the woodwork as the ‘Well - playing down the slope - looked marginally the better side at this stage.

At the other end the home side defended well and goalkeeper Bryan Smith had little to do.

Newfoundwell should have doubled their lead soon after the break when Craig O’Connor was unable to provide the finish to a move involving Carolan and Dale Harding, and instead Transilvania equalised from a back-post header that ‘Well manager Danny Gartland felt should have been ruled out for offside.

However, the hosts quickly restored their lead when Moore and Dean Byrne combined nicely down the left flank and the latter supplied Kermode who was taken down from behind for a penalty. Kermode dusted himself down and slotted home the spot kick, sending the opposition keeper the wrong way.

Carolan effectively sealed Newfoundwell’s place in round two when he made it 3-1 on the 75-minute mark and the game was well into stoppage time when Transilvania replied with a headed goal after sending their goalkeeper up for a corner kick.

Newfoundwell play host to Muirhevnamor in an important league match next Sunday after their scheduled FAI Junior Cup opponents folded, resulting in the Drogheda side being awarded a bye into the next round.