Carnew stun the Magpies
Newtown expected to object
CARNEW progressed to the Jim McLaughlin Premier Trophy final with a home victory over Premier Division opponents and two time defending champions Newtown on a dull Sunday morning on a score line of 3-1.
It was clear that Carnew came pumped up for this one and they hassled and harried their illustrious opponents from the start. A feature of the game throughout was the pressure Carnew put on the Newtown back four with Conall McCrea, Eoghan Mullholland, James Behan and PJ O’Keefe in particular, either forcing the Newtown defenders into rushed clearances or being dispossessed altogether and in truth Newtown looked somewhat intimidated by the intensity their opponents were showing at the start.
The men from the Wexford border got off to the perfect start as they took the lead within two minutes. Good build up play saw space open up on the edge of the box for Conall McCrea, and although his shot was well saved by Newtown keeper Lee Fitzpatrick, Eoghan Mullholland was on hand to slot the rebound to the net from around six yards.
The goal really seemed to ignite belief in Carnew that they could break down their opponents and go on and win the game and then certainly had the better of the early stages. Newtown couldn’t get any continuity going with their passing and Carnew had pace in abundance to break quickly with Jimmy Behan, Nathan Keane and Brendan McCrea causing havoc down the wings.
They bossed the opening 15 minutes as Newtown struggled to find their rhythm. Carnew won another turnover in a dangerous position and Nathan Keane was played through one on one with Newtown keeper Fitzpatrick.
The forward tried to take it around Fitzpatrick but his touch was heavy allowing centre back Ross Davis to get back and snuff out his shot. A let off for Newtown but this near miss seemed to wake them up as they picked up their game after this.
Newtown began to dominate possession as they started to put extended pressure on the Carnew back four. Matthew Kennedy and Seán Heffernan began to move the ball around well as they searched for the killer ball to unlock the Carnew backdoor. They nearly found it as, after an exchange of quick passes around the centre circle Dessie Waters delivered a brilliant diagonal ball which was tantalisingly close to putting striker Mark Fitzsimons through on goal. Unfortunately for him Carnew’s rock solid left back Jonathon Smith was there to intervene, stretching every sinew to put it out for a corner. That wasn’t the end of the onslaught however as from the ensuing corner Richard Franey delivered a peach of a ball which was met sweetly by centre back Glenn Carthy but once more it was Smith who thwarted their efforts as he wacked away the header from the goal line.
Newtown pressed for the rest of the half but to Carnew’s credit they withstood pretty much anything thrown their way. They still looked dangerous on the counter as PJ O’Keefe’s long range ball was inches away from finding Conall McCrea but for the slightest of touches from Newtown back Ross Davis as the half ended with the men in red taking a slender lead with them.
Carnew started the second with the same renewed intensity as they had ended the first. Midfielder Jimmy Behan began to come into his own and his dribbling and running skills had Newtown defenders swiping at thin air as the jinky midfielder came at them. Behan had a good sight at goal early on but his effort was straight down Fitzpatrick’s throat. The Newtown keeper came out on top once more as he blocked Behan’s attempt for a tight angle after being played in by a Conall McCrea back heal.
Carnew were well on top but you got the sense that they badly needed a second goal as Newtown had the quality to score at any minute.
The coveted goal arrived midway through the half as Brendan McCrea whipped in a dangerous free kick from the right.
The ball broke in the centre of the box and it was Behan reacted quickest to finally get the better of Fitzpatrick at the third time of asking to give Carnew some much needed breathing space.
It wouldn’t be long before it got even better for Carnew. Conall McCrea capitalised on a weak back pass to scoop the ball over the helpless Fitzpatrick in what was a real poacher’s goal. It looked like game set and match but Newtown are a classy outfit and then weren’t going to lie down easily.
Eoin Mullholland could’ve given Carnew a fourth but Newtown responded as substitute Ryan Cahill blasted the ball beyond Dean Kinsella from the edge of the box to set up an interesting final 15 minutes. Newtown pressed for another but Carnew were holding out well and from a swift break PJ O’Keefe almost put the tie beyond doubt as his thunder bolt from 25 yards had Fitzpatrick beaten all ends up but crashed off the post.
Newtown kept pressing but the Carnew backs led by centre back pairing Justin House and Seán Murphy made some timely tackles and calmly saw out the remainder of the match for a terrific victory as Carnew secured their passage through to the final.
Newtown will be bitterly disappointed but there’s no doubt that on the day the best team won as Carnew showed great hunger throughout and their pace on the break caused Newtown no end of headaches.
Carnew’s passge to the final looks set to be a tricky one, however. It’s believed that Newtown United are lodging an objection with the WDFL this week on the basis that the Magpies believe that Carnew played several illegal players on the day.
It is understood that a formal letter of complaint is being prepared by the Newtown United clubs, which might see Carnew being asked to attend a meeting early next week.
Carnew: Sean Kinsella; Brendan McCrea, Justin House, Seán Murphy, Johnathon Smith, Jimmy Behan, Will O’Neill, PJ O’Keefe, Nathan Keane, Conall McCrea, Eoghan Mullholland. Subs: John Kavanagh for Johnathon Smith, Dan Nolan, Mark Ward, Graham Byrne.
Newtown: Lee Fitzpatrick, Martin Melia, Neilly Martin, Ross Davis, Glenn Carthy, Matthew Kennedy, Seán Heffernan, Stephen Davis, Dessie Waters, Mark Fitzsimons, Richard Franey. Subs: Ryan Cahill for Richard Franey, Martin Williams, Conor Odlum, Lukie Martin, Adam Heffernan, Stuart Synott.
Referee: Jason Redmond.