North End penalty kings
WEXFORD YOUTHS Women weren’t the only local team providing a soccer success story on this week five years ago.
North End United were celebrating too, because they came through a very tough test in Limerick to qualify for the semi-finals of the FAI Junior Cup.
After drawing 3-3 with home team Moyross United, they emerged victorious 5-3 on penalties to set up a meeting in Wexford with Liffey Wanderers in the last four of this prestigious nationwide competition,
It was a dramatic game, as North End came from two goals down to force an equaliser towards the end of injury time.
Adam Beary was denied twice in the early stages, before Keith Kearney evaded the Moyross offside trap and played the ball across goal for team captain Paul ‘Spot’ Murphy to tap in from close range.
The hosts equalised before the break, and they looked to be on the way to the semi-finals when they took the lead on the re-start before making it 3-1 from the penalty spot.
North End had to throw caution to the wind in a desperate search for goals, with only 20 minutes left.
A Paul Murphy penalty gave them hope, before a goalmouth melee in injury time ended with John ‘Rocky’ Fenlon heading home the equaliser.
After extra-time failed to break the deadlock, netminder Lee Walker emerged as the hero when he pulled off the crucial save in the sudden death.
North End: Lee Walker, Warren Broaders, Stuart Lawlor, Robin Dempsey, Declan Downes, John Fenlon, Shane Dempsey, Kyle Dempsey, Keith Kearney, Paul Murphy, Adam Beary. Subs. used - Jason Murphy, Lee Aust, Jason Swords.