‘Well on track as they beat Railway
NEWFOUNDWELL’S remarkable unbeaten season continued on Sunday as they overcame strong AUL opponents Railway Union to take their place in the Leinster Junior Cup quarter-final draw.
A week earlier the Drogheda club had won through to the last eight of the FAI competition, the draw for which will be made this Wednesday, but Ayrfield submitted an appeal, claiming the ‘Well had fielded an ineligible player in that match.
That hearing was due to take place last night (Monday), but Newfoundwell joint manager Danny Gartland confirmed that his club would appeal the decision if it went against them.
The subject of Ayrfield’s appeal, striker Anto Burke, scored the equalising goal in the Drogheda side’s 2-1 victory.
Against that backdrop, Newfoundwell could have been forgiven for being distracted by events elsewhere when they
NEWFOUNDWELL RAILWAY UNION 1 0
took the field at DIFE on Sunday, but after an evenly-contested first 20 minutes they hosts scored the decisive goal.
Ian Devine took up a good position and received the ball before putting John Kermode clear and the skipper rounded the Railway Union keeper before firing to the empty net.
Cormac Reid, Alan Murphy and Ryan Connor worked well together in midfield and keeper Ronan Brown made a couple of decent saves as the ‘Well took that single-goal lead into half-time. However, they were playing into a stiff wind on the restart and as snow began to fall their task became more difficult against a Railway side who had knocked out the second teams of Crumlin United and Cherry Orchard in previous rounds.
The AUL outfit bossed proceedings as their hosts struggled to get out of their own half, but the back three of Daryl McDonagh, Paddy O’Boyle and Stephen Murphy held firm along with keeper Brown. NEWFOUNDWELL: Ronan Brown, Daryl McDonagh, Paddy O’Boyle, Stephen Murphy, Alan Murphy, Ryan Connor, Cormac Reid, Adam O’Connor, Craig O’Connor, John Kermode, Ian Devine (Ciaran Carroll).
•Newfoundwell’s heroics in the North East League and in cup competitions local, provincial and national have been recognised with an O’Neills Sports Team of the Month award.
The Drogheda club scoop a €300 sports voucher after being named as the January winner, while a similar prize goes to both Rathmullen Celtic and Ardee Celtic after they were picked for the months of December and November respectively.
ARDEE CELTIC: Stuart Reynolds, Robbie Reynolds, Oisin McGee, Niall Sharkey, Ciaran Clarke, Lorcan Myles, Mikey Nulty, Stuart Osbourne, Gareth Kane, Ross Gaynor, Darryn Gaynor.