Shannon Town B 1

Fergal McCarthy ⚽

Newmarket Celtic B 0

Under new management of Bryan O Donoghue and Padraic Carew the B team got their League Cup campaign under way in a sun drenched Corrib Drive against Newmarket Celtic B. Due to unforeseen circumstances and no proper pre-season completed or any friendlies played as a group Bryan just set his team out to play with no fear and put in a solid performance. And with that the home side really did play with no fear and took control of possession early on playing some really good football in the final third and winning all the 1v1 battles. With 25 minutes gone the home side nearly opened the scoring when good passage of play on the right wing saw Jamie Hodge whip a cross to the back post only to see Adrian Carew fail to rise high enough to connect with a header and see the ball fly over the end line. Eoghan Gough, Eoin Collins and Adrian Carew and Gary Cusack tried to test the Newmarket keeper from long range but saw their efforts fly over the bar or wide of the posts. Newmarket finding their way into the game saw themselves put the Town back line under a bit of pressure themselves forcing them to clear crosses into the box or cut out through balls trying to get into behind. 0-0 the half ended.

The 2nd half started much the same with the home men playing with real intensity forcing the Newmarket men into errors leading to counter attacks, with Ryan Hodge and Evan Glynn treading balls into the pacey wingers Jamie Hodge and Jamie Doyle made the Newmarket men make some last ditch clearances. With 70 minutes on the clock and the home side winning a free kick just inside the Newmarket half, Eoin Collins fired a cross into the 18 yard box and see Jamie Hodge flick the ball off his head to the back post to see veteran Fergal McCarthy loop his header back over the Newmarket keeper and into the net to make it 1-0. Newmarket pushed hard in the final 15 minutes of the game but the back line of the Town men held off all that was thrown at them with some fantastic defending and Alan Linton made 2 great saves in the dying moments of the game to see the game finish 1-0 on the day.

A momentous display from debutant left back and only 17 years old ''Aiden O Donnell'' saw him claim the MOTM award!! Well done Aiden a fantastic performance keep it up 🏆⚽⚽

Next up for the B team is Rhine Rovers away Wednesday 24/08 in Lees Road for 6.45pm kick off.