Burren United 1  -  Newmarket Celtic 2 at Micho Russell Centre, Doolin

NEWMARKET Celtic went north to Doolin knowing that nothing would come easy against Burren United. That’s how it transpired as they were forced to come from behind to bag the three points and continue where they left off at the end of the 2007/2008 season.
It was too close for comfort though – Celtic’s winning goal came in the sixth minute of the injury time allowed by referee Dave McCarthy. It was rough justice on the home side whose direct style of play had their vaunted opponents on the back foot for much of the game.
Indeed, the Paudie Cullinan and Philip Shires managed champions would surely have settled for a point after Burren’s aerial bombardment saw them hold the initiative for most of the first half and then into the second.

It wasn’t until the closing stages that Newmarket’s footballing skills came to the fore as goals from Darren Cullinan and Eoin Hayes plucked the three points from Burren’s grasp.
Burren’s route one philosophy tested the mettle of the Newmarket defence from the early stages, but with Mark Donnellan in outstanding form in the centre of the defence it looked as if they would be able to cope.
That changed in the 23rd minute when centre-forward John McDonagh broke the deadline with a fine goal via a set-piece play. The big Lisdoonvarna man rose highest to head home Marine Ghat’s free to the net past Mike Sillery.
Newmarket were in a dogfight and it took all their tactical and footballing acumen to pluck out the three points from this position. Burren’s lead was intact until the 65th minute when Newmarket finally expressed themselves with a goal.
Some neat play in the centre of the field involving new signing Niall McNiven, Damian O’Malley and Seamus Considine down the right finally started to make inroads into the Burren defence – the nett result being a fine equaliser from Darren Cullinan when he drilled a low shot from just outside the area passed Tony Shannon.
Newmarket looked like pressing on to victory, but the closing 22 minutes allowed by Dave McCarthy saw half chances on both sides until Eoin Hayes broke Burren hearts with a last gasp equaliser.
Just when it looked as if the spoils would be shared, Newmarket’s midfield engine room again fashioned an opening. This time a slick move down the right saw the ball centred to substitute Hayes, who controlled the ball on his chest before ramming home a great winner.

Match Details

Newmarket Celtic
Mike Sillery, Mark O’Malley, Seamus Lawlor, Mark Donnellan, Liam Murphy (Eoin Hayes), Seamus Considine, Damian O’Malley, Niall McNevin, Darren Cullinan, Keith Power (Martin Mulqueen), Michael Crosby.

Burren United
Tony Shannon, Michael Keating, Greg O’Leary, Kevin Danaher, Paul McDonagh, John McCormack (Pat Nagle), Daniel Carey, Joe Burke (Eric Cahillane), Marine Ghat, John McDonagh, Martin McDonagh,

Man of the Match
Mark Donnellan (Newmarket Celtic)

Referee
Dave McCarthy