‘Well are walking on

Newfoundwell 3 Ayrfield United 1

THE prospects of Drogheda representation in this year’s FAI Junior Cup decider in Aviva Stadium moved a step closer after Newfoundwell ended Ayrfield United’s hopes on Sunday afternoon.

The all-conquering ‘Well, under the astute management team of Danny Gartland and Paul Crowley, came from behind to defeat the free-scoring Leinster Senior League outfit and have now reached the last eight in the competition. And with a Leinster Junior Cup last-16 tie to come this coming weekend as well as a North East League title to compete for, it’s shaping up to be a memorable few months for the local side who are still unbeaten in all competitions this season.

A crowd of around 250 turned out in lovely sunshine at DIFE on Sunday and they saw Newfoundwell take the early initiative, with Anto Burke lashing a volley off the crossbar after running onto John Kermode’s head-flick from a throw-in. Kermode himself flashed a low, diagonal shot narrowly wide after a mazy run and the skipper then turned provider again for Ian Devine who sliced his first-time shot well wide.

So it was against the run of play when LSL Major 1 title contenders Ayrfield broke the deadlock on 14 minutes, Eddie Ryan firing past Ronan Brown from six yards after Alan Connor had benefited from a lucky bounce to get the better of Daryl McDonagh and deliver a cross from the left flank. However, that advantage lasted just 11 minutes as Brian Kermode pounced on hesitation by Ayrfield’s left-back to intercept a pass and play an early ball in from the right which was headed home by Burke.

Newfoundwell should have hit the front on the half-hour mark when Craig O’Connor’s head-flick