Ardee are hit by late sucker-punch

ARDEE CELTIC USHER CELTIC 1 2

ARDEE Celtic exited the Leinster Junior Cup on Friday night with an injury time strike sending Usher Celtic through to the next round,

The late heartache was unjust for the Deesiders who performed admirably against the AUL side. Lorcan Myles having hit the side netting in the opening stages found himself with another opportunity when he chased down the full back and cut inside and made a beeline towards goal, the Usher netminder was quick of his line to parry. Darryn Gaynor was square but the winger had his eye on goal.

The Dublin outfit getting used to the Townparks pitch gradually came in the game and put together some neat exchanges and exerted some control. A dangerous ball across the Ardee area was latched onto by the forward, all alone, but he sent the ball wide of the post. A let off for the home side.

Conor Lynches men were not so wasteful with their next opportunity. After Ross Gaynor prevented the ball going over the line for a kick out, he sent a lofted cross over the Usher defence. Brendan Matthews was free at the back stick to head in.

No sooner had the second half got underway, Usher leveled the score. A strike was saved by Connolly, only for the ball to move out of his eyeline,leaving their pacy winger to nip in and tap home.

The Dublin side should of made it two soon after. Again their forward had the opportunity when he headed a goalbound header just over the bar and then Connolly had to save well to his right.

As the tie was nearing extra time, Usher put the sword to Ardee, a right wing cross was headed past Connolly at the back post.

It went right to the end for the Deesiders against Usher Celtic, who had already beaten Sheriff YC, previous Junior Cup winners.

ARDEE: Sean Connolly, Mikey Nulty, Niall Sharkey, Oisin McGee, Robbie Reynolds, Lorcan Malone (Ryan Ward), Paul Matondo, Ross Gaynor, Brendan Matthews (Ben McKenna), Lorcan Myles (Shawni Dowdall), Darryn Gaynor.