Kinnegad prove the masters in Cup derby

If ever there was a game of two halves then Gainstown on Sunday morning last was the epitome of that as Kinnegad Juniors, who were poor in the first half, turned a one-nil deficit right around with four second half goals that brought them a deserved victory over Westmeath rivals, Mullingar Celtic.

Everything that went wrong for Kinnegad in the opening half went right in that second period and the opposite happened to Celtic, who looked to be cruising only to completely fall apart after the break. Make no mistake Kinnegad were good value for their win and their superior fitness levels and never say die attitude proved the difference, in what was an entertaining game in blustery and wet conditions at times.

Celtic suffered a major setback after 90 odd seconds when Cian Farrell was forced off through injury, but they settled thereafter and virtually with their first attack Ian Keelan played a super ball over the top and Mark Hickey netted an opportunist goal to put the home side ahead after six minutes. They could have increased that advantage as Ian Keelan, Tye Adamson and Keelan again each had good chances, but Kinnegad just about held them out and began to get a foothold in the game.

Ciaran Bracken and Steven Burbridge brought two super saves from Celtic 'keeper Rory Matthews and Mark Armstrong headed just wide. Bracken really should have levelled on 28 minutes but missed a glorious opportunity and then set up Armstrong with a marvellous through ball but could not equalise. Adamson went close for Celtic at the other end as he rounded the 'keeper but could not get his shot away, while Ruairdhi Bracken missed a golden opportunity to send the sides in level. However, it was Celtic who were leading at half-time following that early goal.

Following the break Kinnegad were resurgent and levelled after 90 seconds when some calamitous Celtic defending allowed the dangerous Ciaran Bracken in to slot the equaliser. Daryl O’Reilly went close for the Juniors and then, on 52 minutes, brilliant work by Burbridge along the end line saw him cross for Mark Armstrong to tap in for a Kinnegad second. It was very much one-way traffic and Celtic were under the cosh completely. Ciaran Bracken caused mayhem in the Kinnegad attack and they really should have scored more in the next 15 minutes, but it took until the 68th minute for Kinnegad to net a third when some more poor Celtic defending saw Burbridge nip in for a well-deserved goal and at this stage it looked as if they would run away with the game.

Celtic to their credit stayed in the fight though and two minutes later the ball fell kindly to their best player and Tye Adamson narrowed the gap to a single goal with a superb solo strike. Celtic pushed for the equaliser and Adamson almost got it, but in doing so they left themselves open at the back. After Matthews had made a brilliant save from Ciaran Bracken, a routine clearance turned into a turnover and a needless penalty given away.

Tempers flared somewhat and Mark Hickey for Celtic and the influential Bracken saw red as both sides were reduced to 10 men and when the dust settled, Conor Kavanagh slotted the penalty to as good as seal the win. Despite some late pressure from Celtic, Kinnegad held on comfortably for victory and a place in the semi-final.

Goals - Kinnegad Juniors: Ciaran Bracken (58 mins), Mark Armstrong (52 mins), Steven Burbridge (68 mins) and Conor Kavanagh (pen; 84 mins).

Mullingar Celtic: Mark Hickey (7 mins), Tye Adamson (70 mins).

Teams - Mullingar Celtic: Rory Matthews, Dale Gibney Tarleton, Gearoid Sheridan, Cian Farrell, Colm Baker, Joe Doyle, Darren Aughey, Ian Keelan, Mark Hickey, David McNamee and Tye Adamson. Subs: Ben Wilson for Farrell (2 mins), Shane Daly for Baker (52 mins), James Baker for Aughey (63 mins), Jack Cullen for McNamee (68 mins), Robert Doyle for Wilson (78 mins).

Kinnegad Juniors: Sean Spellse, Craig Tallon, Dara Whelan, Adam O’Hagan, Conor Kavanagh, Enda Kenny, Ruardhi Bracken, Darryl O’Reilly, Ciaran Bracken, Mark Armstrong and Steven Burbridge. Sub: Jason Gavin for Ruardhi Bracken (87 mins).

Referee: Damian Conlon.