Celtic keep their cool in shoot-out
It was a productive weekend for Wexford representatives in the O’Neill’s LFA Junior Cup, with the majority of Model county sides tasting victory.
Gorey Celtic had the most dramatic triumph as they edged out Ballyouster United 5-3 on penalties after a 3-3 draw.
The north county side trailed 1-0 at the break, but Des Wolohan drew them level from the penalty spot after Darragh Curran was brought down in the box.
Thomas Cloke put Celtic in front when his corner found its way to the net, but Ballyouster responded quickly to make it 2-2.
Gorey got their noses in front again when Gavin Goodwin got on the end of a Craig Foster cross and beat the goalkeeper, but the visitors scored once more to force extra-time.
The game went all the way to penalties where Des Wolohan, Thomas Cloke, Wayne O’Reilly, Gavin Goodwin and Jakub Konkel all confidently converted their spot-kicks, while goalkeeper John Dunbar made a great save to help them through.
Their local rivals Gorey Rangers also safely progressed to the second round as they came back from two goals down to win 3-2 away to Drogheda Town.
David Behan, Gavin O’Brien and Paul Brennan got the goals for last season’s Wexford Volkswagen Cup winners.
Dan Murphy netted a double for Bridge Rovers, with Shane Murphy (penalty) and Jody Hynes also getting on the scoresheet for the Castlebridge side as they ran out 4-1 winners over Castlewarren Celtic.
Moyne Rangers also chalked up a 4-1 victory, seeing off Bridge United in Goresbridge thanks to a Peter O’Rourke double and goals from Peter Marsden and Conor Bruce.
Rory O’Connor (two) and David O’Connor got the goals for New Ross Celtic as they overcame Woodlawn Sportslink 3-1 at Butlersland, while Crossabeg recorded an impressive 3-0 win over Fairview Athletic with Will McCreery converting a penalty and Ciarán Marlow and Vinnie Sullivan adding to their tally.
New Ross Town ran out comprehensive 6-2 winners over Fort Rangers, with Gary Sinnott and Dawidd Ruszczychi both helping themselves to doubles and Dermot Rossiter and Keith Donnelly also getting in on the act.
Sam O’Neill, Marty O’Connor, Andy Moore and Willie Lambert hit the back of the net for Wexford Bohs in their 4-1 win over Marks Celtic.
Forth Celtic were in flying form away to Dublin Airport, running out 3-1 winners, while Cathal Murphy and Niall Harney scored for Corach Ramblers in their 2-1 win over Stoneyford United in Danescastle.
Campile United needed extra-time before running out 4-1 winners over Callan United, with Jamie Myler bagging a double and Colin Nolan and an own goal adding to their tally.
Cloughbawn progressed without having to kick a ball as they were handed a walkover from Bellurgan United.
Meanwhile, there was no joy for Enniscorthy United who lost out 4-0 to Highview Athletic, and Bunclody, who were edged out 2-1 by Virginia FC, with Jason Somers scoring for the Wexford side.
Adamstown also tasted defeat, with Shane Bradley and Ian White getting their goals in a 4-2 loss to Duleek AFC, while Kilmore lost 3-1 to Transport FC at Abbie Troy Park, with Seán Byrne scoring for the Wexford side.
Gorey Rangers continued their perfect start to the campaign, making it four wins from four as they fought back from 3-1 down to see off St. Joseph’s 5-3 in Kilmuckridge.
Seán Furlong (two) and Gary O’Leary scored for Joey’s but it wasn’t enough as Derrick Woods netted a hat-trick for Rangers, with Dylan Vickers and Marc Flanagan also hitting the back of the net.
Philip Walsh (two), Jack Michaels and Scott Tobin got the goals for Bree United as they ran out 4-2 winners over Shamrock Rovers.
Bunclody won by the same scoreline away to Wexford Albion, with Shane Franklin (two), Paddy Kavanagh and James Fortune scoring for the winners and Kyle Mann and Cian Rossiter replying for Albion.
Joe Hyland, Danny O’Brien and Damien Breen were the goal scorers for Enniscorthy Town as they won 3-1 in Rathnure, with Anthony Westnott replying for the hosts. for Crossabeg as they overcame Curracloe United 3-2, with Davie Fenlon getting their other goal and Jamie Furlong and Nathan O’Rourke replying for the seasiders.
The Ballagh got off the mark with a 4-1 win in Campile, with Ian Storey, Kevin Sinnott and Thomas Furlong hitting the back of the net and an own goal adding to their tally, with Anthony Lawlor scoring for the hosts.
Kiltealy and Camolin shared the spoils after a 4-4 draw. Paddy Somers, Ben Nugent, Mick Stephens and Reece Martin scored for Kiltealy, with Peter McSweeney (two), Keith Crosbie and Thomas Furlong replying.
Rosslare Port came out on top in a Division 4A goal-fest on Sunday as they saw off Taghmon United by the odd goal in nine.
Adam Pitman bagged a hattrick for Port, with Steve Maguire and Liam Delaney also getting in on the act and Shane Power (two), Daniel Furlong and William Codd replying.
Cloughbawn chalked up a 4-1 win away to St. Leonards, with Darragh Rochford scoring from 30 yards for the winners, while Callen Morrissey, Stephen Kennedy and Adam O’Connor also hit the back of the net and Matty Flynn got one in reply for the saints.
Darren Walsh (penalty), Seán Murphy and T.J. Owens got the goals for Enniscorthy United as they drew 3-3 with Caim United, with Paudie Lacey, Bob Spillane and Conor Farrell scoring for Caim.
Danny Breen and Mark O’Neill hit the back of the net for Enniscorthy Town in their 2-1 win over Castledockrell, while Killenagh Wanderers won 3-0 away to St. Joseph’s.