Carrick spot on in thriller
Carrick United goalkeeper Bill Foley celebrates after saving two penalties in his side's FAI Junior Cup shootout win over St. Paul's at Ozier Park on Saturday last. Photo: Paul Elliott.
Carrick United are into the hat for third round of the FAI Junior Cup after this dramatic win over St. Paul’s at Ozier Park last Saturday afternoon last. Carrick winger Francis Roche came up with a last gasp equaliser in the sixth-minute of second-half added time to send the game to extra-time and then penalties.
In the penalty shootout, it was their goalkeeper Bill Foley, who turned out to be the hero as he saved two penalties to put Carrick United into the next round in a game where the Parish were left cursing their luck.
St. Pauls were first out of the blocks as they had the first chance of the game on 11 minutes. Jimmy Byrne got on the end of a Jack Twomey cross, but Bill Foley in the Carrick goal produced a brilliant save to deny the striker.
The Coolnamuck outfit had a chance of their own six minutes later when Martin Griffin let fly from 20 yards, but saints keeper Andrew Cushen dived low to his left to save at the foot of the upright.
Carrick broke the deadlock on 42 minutes. A long ball by Eoin Hogan sailed over the Paul’s defence and although Robin Brophy looked to have things under control, striker Danny Murphy never gave up the chase and he stole the ball before racing into the box and fire a right foot shot past the advancing Cushen.
As the second period got underway, St. Pauls striker Jack Twomey showed his pace as he raced away from the Carrick defence, but Bill Foley made another fine save as he tipped the strike over the crossbar.
St. Pauls drew level on 59 minutes when Jake Burke raced down the left-wing before firing in a low dangerous cross and Jame Hutchinson arrived on cue to side-foot home from six yards.
The city side now had the upper hand as they drove forward on the attack, but Jimmy Byrne, Jack Twomey and Aaron Connolly all wasted good chances in front of goal before they did strike the front on 70 minutes.
Carrick defender Kieran O’Donnell fouled Jack Twomey in the box and referee Chris Maher pointed to the spot. Up stepped Jimmy Byrne and he made no mistake as he drove the spot kick low into the far corner of the net.
It looked as if Byrne’s goal would win it for the Saints as they dropped deep to protect the lead. Martin Griffin hit another long range effort but Andrew Cushen in the Saints pulled off another fine save.
With time running out for Carrick they were dealt another massive blow when they lost Kieran O’Donnell to a second yellow card and he was sent off. However against all the odds Carrick came up with an equaliser six minutes into stoppage time.
Rory Finnegan dropped a free kick to the far post, and when the saints failed to clear the danger, Francis Roche took full advantage to fire the ball into the net and bring the game to extra time and penalties.
Carrick won the penalty shootout as Danny Murphy netted to put his side 4-3 in front and when Bill Foley saved from Darragh Quinn, they were in the next round as the saints had enough chances in the game and the penalty shootout to win through, but it wasn’t to be.
Andrew Cushen, Paddy Reilly, Jake Burke, Robin Brophy, Dean Keohan, Aaron Connolly, Jamie Hutchison (Darragh Quinn 104), Jack Twomey, Jimmy Byrne Stephen McLawrence (Stephen Keating 71). Shane Gaffney (Sam Cheevers 87)
Bill Foley, Killian Power, Rory Finnegan, Kieran O'Donnell, Martin Griffin (Daryl Whitty 104), Sean Campbell, Eoin Hogan (Francis Roche 52), Shane Dowley, Danny Murphy, David Campbell, Roland Fitzpatrick (Dean Landy 52), Killian Power (Eddie Power 15).
Chris Maher.
