Super-subs send North End to Aviva
mark, with his angled drive from 20 yards fizzing narrowly wide.
Five minutes later Carr was again in the thick of the action, with Walker doing well to save his shot from the edge of the penalty area.
St. Michael’s, who have a 100 per cent record in this season’s Tipperary South & District League, did make the breakthrough on 40 minutes and when the goal came it was laced with good fortune.
Joey Mulcahy’s fierce 25-yard free-kick took a wicked deflection off the North End wall and completely wrong-footed goalkeeper Lee Walker.
North End, who were missing Shane Dempsey and Lee Smith who are on overseas duty with the army, and Andy Moore through suspension, weren’t willing to give up their dream of reaching the Aviva without a fight though and went on the front foot after the interval to try to claw their way back into the game.
Kyle Dempsey was the first to try his luck in the second-half, with his effort from 25 yards narrowly off target, while Paul ‘Spot’ Murphy headed over from a corner on the hour mark.
However, John Godkin’s side had a major escape on 68 minutes when Lee Walker made a fine reflex save from Colin Bargary from seven yards out, and the follow-up effort was cleared off the line.
North End made the most of the let-off and really upped the pressure in the final 20 minutes, and Paul ‘Spot’ Murphy’s fierce, swerving drive from 25 yards was parried by St. Michael’s goalkeeper Adrian Walsh.
With 15 minutes remaining Walsh was forced into a double save from close range, first denying Jason Murphy and then Kyle Dempsey, with substitute John Fenlon hitting the rebound wide from six yards.
North End didn’t let their heads drop after missing a gilt-edged opportunity to draw level, as instead they pushed forward in droves and started to ask serious questions of the St. Michael’s defence.
They got their reward with five minutes remaining, when Paul ‘Spot’ Murphy whipped a free-kick into the area and his namesake, substitute Paul Murphy (Kilmore), fired home from close range, following a defensive mix-up.
The celebrations had barely died down, and with extra-time looming North End amazingly grabbed the winner, with substitute Adam Beary clinically finding the net from 18 yards.
North End negotiated the remaining two minutes without any goalmouth scares and the referee’s final whistle sparked wild celebrations among the Sky Blues faithful. The final against Pike Rovers is in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, May 12.
Leaders Enniscorthy United took another step towards the Division 3 title with a 4-1 win over Duncannon on Sunday. The seasiders were 1-0 up at the interval, but United upped the pressure in the second-half and got on the scoresheet through an own goal, a Jamie Fox penalty and Conor Heffernan and Kaylem Morrissey strikes.
Derrick Woods, Mark Flanagan, Killian Cushe and Phelim Gallagher got the goals for Gorey Rangers in their 4-1 win over Bree United, while Enniscorthy Town edged out Forth Celtic 2-1, with Anthony Hayes scoring for the Murrintown men.
Cushinstown chalked up a 6-2 win over Ajax Athletic last Tuesday evening, with goals from Jimmy Whelan, Ian Gaffney, Philip O’Connor, Jason Dunne and a Nicky Sinnott double.
Rosslare Port picked up three points last Wednesday evening courtesy of a 3-2 win over Forth Celtic.
St. Joseph’s dented Cloughbawn’s promotion hopes by coming out on top 3-2 in their Division 4A clash on Sunday.
James Ryan, Pat O’Brien and Dillon Kearns scored for the winners, with Johnny Cullen and Páidí Kehoe (penalty) hitting the back of the net for Cloughbawn.
Wexford Albion chalked up an emphatic victory in Taghmon, winning 5-1 with a hat-trick from Cian Rossiter and a Fran Hore double. Shane Power got the Taghmon goal.
Tombrack United overcame Wexford Celtic 4-2 with goals from Kieran Kenny, Eoghan Murphy, John Kavanagh and Jamie Murphy.
Second-placed Gorey Celtic got another three points on the board last Thursday, with Greg O’Rourke scoring the only goal of the game as they saw off Enniscorthy United 1-0.
Kiltealy Celtic took another step towards the Division 5 title with a 4-1 win over Killenagh Wanderers last Thursday evening.
Conor Tighe, Shane Molloy and Matty Flynn got the goals for Stw Leonards in their 3-0 win over Adamstown.
Ferns United saw off Cushinstown 3-2 with goals from Daniel Neagu, Dillon Shannon and Alfredo Barbu, with Conor O’Neill replying with a double.
Rosslare Port beat St. Cormac’s 4-1, with Darren Dempsey and Mark Flood getting doubles for Port and Liam Walsh hitting the back of the net for the saints.
Adamstown were also in midweek action and they overcame Bree United 3-0, with goals from Ian White (two) and Alan Bradley.