Deesiders pay penalty in cup semi
ARDEE CELTIC BALDOYLE UNITED 0 0
ARDEE Celtic suffered shootout heartbreak as opponents Baldoyle United booked their place in the North Leinster final of the Under-12 Skechers National Cup at Townspark on Saturday.
The visitors’ goalkeeper produced a marvellous double two minutes from the end of extra time to take the tie to penalty kicks as it remained scoreless through normal and added time.
He then saved Ardee’s first kick in the shootout and that proved the dividing margin between the sides as both sets of penalty takers otherwise had a 100 per cent success rate in the spot kick contest.
The Deesiders’ Premier 2 side have at least the consolation that they still are in the main SFAI Cup competition, with a last-32 tie to look forward to in the New Year.
They dominated the opening 15 minutes of this semi-final tie, and could have had their passage into the regional decider wrapped up with the chances they created.
However, the wind had a big bearing on the match. It favoured Ardee in the first half when they were on top, while Baldoyle had the better of the exchanges with it at their backs in the second period.
Scoring chances proved illusive overall, however, and the crucial moment was that double save by the Baldoyle netminder.
Tom Maguire, Tadgh Devanny and Jack Martin were to the forefront of a gallant display by Ardee and several of them are eligible to play at this age level again next year.