Challenge Cup finalists revealed
Carrick Town's Fursey Butler (left) tries to halt the progress of Cloonfad United's Matthew Freyne. Picture: Gerard O'Loughlin.
Castlerea Celtic and Carrick Town will contest the Roscommon and District Football League’s Challenge Cup final following contrasting semi final wins.
Castlerea Celtic overcame Moore United 5-1 this evening (Saturday) while Carrick Town secured a 2-1 win over Cloonfad United on Friday.
A Jason McCartney hat trick helped Castlerea Celtic emerge surprisingly comfortable winners over Moore United. The centre forward saw a fourth minute goal ruled out for offside but he more than made amends, bagging a brace before the tenth minute.
Centre back Ryan Larkin pounced from a corner by former Sligo Rovers player Kailin Barlow to leave Castlerea Celtic 3-0 in front. McCartney completed a first half hat trick when he pounced upon an errant backpass to leave his side in cruise control at half time.
The second half was a more lowkey affair but once more Barlow picked out Larkin from a corner as the Castlerea Celtic centre back slotted home his side’s fifth goal. Jay McPhilbin pulled back a goal for Moore United but Castlerea Celtic’s bid to win a second Challenge Cup in four years is very much alive.
On Friday evening, Carrick Town secured a gritty triumph over Connacht Shield finalists Cloonfad United.
Carrick Town, who are in their first season competing in the Roscommon and District Football League, have secured a unique slice of history by progressing through to the decider. They were made to work hard for their final berth as they fell behind in the 12th minute when Andy Glennon contorted his body and diverted a Michael McGarry corner to the net.
However, Cloonfad’s lead was short lived as nine minutes later Narada Patrasco’s corner travelled all the way to the net to ensure the sides were deadlocked at the interval.
The opening 30 minutes of the second half saw little goalmouth action with Cloonfad edging proceedings without creating the clear cut chance they craved. The biggest chance fell to Carrick Town’s Fursey Butler on the breakaway after a dangerous Glennon free kick was punched clear.
Butler’s low strike was pushed behind by PJ Donnellan but from the resulting set piece Cloonfad lost their concentration as Tobi Amas slid a pass through to Butler for a composed finish to the net.
Cloonfad pushed hard for an equaliser but Glennon saw a 94th minute effort travel just past the post as Carrick Town held on to secure a special day in the club’s history.
*Full reports from both games in Tuesday’s Roscommon Herald*
