Penalty shoot-out drama!
MACROOM U13s advanced to the last 32 National Cup in thrilling fashion versus a fancied Passage AFC.
The fourth round game was played in great spirit, a proper cup tie. Both goalies playing well to keep the score down. With 10 minutes to go Cian O’Sullivan opened the scoring with a great free-kick, only for Passage to score about 15 seconds after the restart – lesson learned. Onto extra time and Maks took his chance with an opportunistic toe poke 2-1. This led to a dramatic last 10 minutes with both teams giving nothing away,
Macroom proved their fitness and game awareness to hold possession. Ironically, into the last minute Macroom had a break away to finish the match only for the goalie to fly kick a clearance the length of the pitch and passage striker pounced and slotted home the equaliser.
Onto the penalty shootout. To both teams’ credit five lads bravely put themselves forward to shoot. After three penalties Macroom were down 3-1. This was do or die but no fear as they calmly scored two goals and Kuba made great saves.
Sudden death and Kuba pulled off another save, up stepped Gavin Leahy, his dad Danny couldn’t look,
Gavin stuck a beauty into the onion bag.
This resulted in the most joyous celebrations in the Town Park and heartbreak for Passage lads. The players were most gracious in defeat and it’s important for both sets of supporters to share in this. The referee said it was the best game he has reffed in years.
This now places Macroom in the last four in Cork, three premier teams Corintians, Lakewood & Mallow Town. JJ Murphy is looking for a Home tie versus Shamrock Rovers, typical doesn’t want to open the purse strings. TEAM: Kuba, Billy, Cian, Ray, Dylan, Stevie, Euan, Chi, Manase, Blessed, Cian, Regan, Ryan, Shane, Gavin & Nathan.
Meanwhile Macroom travelled to Midleton on Saturday for a Macroom Youth’s League match. Midleton took a two-goal lead straight away but Macroom started playing well 30 minutes in and Kieran Doody got one back for Macroom. With three mins before half-time George Lowie equalised. Macroom came out in the second-half the better team hitting the woodwork twice. But it was not their day, Midleton clinching two more goals. Macroom lost 4-2 on the day.Next up is league match away against Douglas Hall A on Saturday with a 2pm kickoff. By Peter Coleman.