Carrick United 3 Shamrock Rovers (Enniscorthy) 3
(Shamrock Rovers won 4-3 on penalties)
Carrick's Anthony Power gets the better of Ethan Keane, Rovers
Games in early August are usually tame affairs as teams prepare for the long season ahead but these two teams didn’t appear to read the script. From the moment referee Andrew Mullally got proceedings under way the game crackled with tension and it was almost impossible to keep tabs on everything that unfolded. It was one of the great cup games played in Ozier Park, with the result in doubt right up to the last kick of the contest.
The fact that Carrick United, the Waterford League champions had to play with only ten men after new signing Conor Fell was sent off after 41 minutes added to the overall excitement. The Coolnamuck outfit found themselves two goals behind after only ten minutes but they fought back with their depleted team to level matters. When the game went into a penalty shoot-out they saw their opponents miss their two opening kicks, yet they somehow managed to lose out on a final date with Evergreen. It was extraordinary to say the least. This game certainly whetted the appetite for the Premier League season which kicks off this evening (Wednesday).
Carrick hit on the double
Shamrock Rovers from Enniscorthy caused a surprise when they pipped New Ross Celtic to win the Wexford League last season, and they showed the Waterford public what a fine team they are when they scored after only six minutes of play. David Whelan picked out Martin McKeown with an excellent pass and McKeown lashed the ball past the Carrick goalkeeper Adrian Walsh from all of 30 yards. It got a lot worse for United four minutes later when Emmett Quirke found the net from 40 yards after he controlled a free kick taken by Sean Kenny. Carrick were all over the place following that start and their task was made even harder on 41 minutes when defender Conor Fell was sent packing after a two footed lunge on a Shamrock Rovers player. However one minute later Jason Butler pulled a goal back when he raced into the penalty area following a pass from Alan Redmond. Butler scored with an angled drive from inside the right side of the penalty area.
