EA Sports Cup - Harps and Devon win
Credit:
Tonight saw the first glimpses of action in the newly named EA Sports Cup(formerly the League Cup) when Mervue United travelled to Drom to take on Salthill Devon in the preliminary round of the competition.
The clubs met twice last year in the A Championship, with both recording away wins. That trend was bucked tonight as Salthill caused an upset, fighting back from behind to force extra-time and eventually win out 4-3 in a sudden-death penalty shootout.
Salthill took an early lead through Marcin Maranek but were pegged back by a goal from Rory Gaffney. David O'Dowd then gave the First Division side the lead, but a late goal from Devon's Ryan O'Donnell forced an extra half hour to be played.
Shane Browne proved to be the hero for The Seasiders as his sudden death penalty sent Salthill through to meet Galway United in the first round proper in two weeks time.
In the other game played on Monday night, Finn Harps were made to work hard by Kildrum Tigers but eventually overcame the Ulster Senior League side on a 2-1 scoreline. Christy Conaghan and Ruairi Harkin were on the mark for the winners, who also had Conor Gethins sent off late in the game following a clash with Kildrum's Darren McCreadie. McCreadie was also sent for an early bath.
Finn Harps wll now travel to face Newstalk A Championship newcomers Castlebar Celtic in the first round.
The clubs met twice last year in the A Championship, with both recording away wins. That trend was bucked tonight as Salthill caused an upset, fighting back from behind to force extra-time and eventually win out 4-3 in a sudden-death penalty shootout.
Salthill took an early lead through Marcin Maranek but were pegged back by a goal from Rory Gaffney. David O'Dowd then gave the First Division side the lead, but a late goal from Devon's Ryan O'Donnell forced an extra half hour to be played.
Shane Browne proved to be the hero for The Seasiders as his sudden death penalty sent Salthill through to meet Galway United in the first round proper in two weeks time.
In the other game played on Monday night, Finn Harps were made to work hard by Kildrum Tigers but eventually overcame the Ulster Senior League side on a 2-1 scoreline. Christy Conaghan and Ruairi Harkin were on the mark for the winners, who also had Conor Gethins sent off late in the game following a clash with Kildrum's Darren McCreadie. McCreadie was also sent for an early bath.
Finn Harps wll now travel to face Newstalk A Championship newcomers Castlebar Celtic in the first round.
