Munster Junior Cup Round 1
Newmarket Celtic B 3-4 Bridge United

Bridge United made it through to the Second Round of the MJC after a classic cup tie with Newmarket Celtic B this morning.

Momentum in sport difficult to explain, but if ever you needed an example this mornings cup tie in McDonough Park was it.

The first 30mins was all the away side, shot after shot being peppered at Alan Reidys goal, Paul Corry, Kieran Quinlan and Leon Daly the chief orchestrators.

Storm Devanney and Alan Mulready doing well at the back and Jay Whyte advancing down the right time and time again, while Brandon O Halloran got through a mountain of work in midfield.

When Daly opened the scoring on 31mins you could have been forgiven for thinking Bridge would be on their way to a relatively comfortable victory. One or two chances came and went but it was Newmarket that would be next to register a goal. A speculative set piece ball in to the box wasn't dealt with and Damian Halpin was on hand to slide it in, 1-1.

This left Newmarket with a pep in their step and they arrived out for the second half with a changed blue strip and playing like a new team aswell.

Truth be told it was all Newmarket for the first 15mins of the second half and they got their reward when Paul Touhy saved well from Halpin before the striker recovered and forced the ball across the line much to the delight of the home crowd.

This sparked Bridge in to life, Newmarket retreated to their own box but were a constant threat through youths player Adam Cusack on the break.

Ronan Tuohys introduction to the fray was a turning point, his direct abrasive style was a constant threat to Newmarket and his willingness to press aggressive brought new impetuous to the Bridge attack.

Fittingly it was that man who grabbed an equaliser on 83mins much to the relief of the travelling support. A late penalty shout for Bridge United was waved away and Extra Time loomed.

Fresh off the back of their u16 Cup Final victory Darragh Hayes and Jack O'Halloran were thrown in and not for the first time had an immediate impact.

Hayes had the ball in the net inside 3mins of the opening half of extra time, with O'Halloran doing well in midfield. Both showing maturity beyond their years.

When Kieran Quinlan's long range effort evaded Alan Reidy, Paul Corry seized on the mistake and pounced to make it 4-2 before the half time break.

On the resumption Newmarket had the ball in the next inside 40seconds, some poor defending allowed McCarthy at the back post to head home.

We were all set up for a grandstand finish but it failed to materialise, Bridge United superior experience allowed them to manage the game for the final 10mins.

Credit to both sides for an entertaining game that brightened up a wet and miserable Sunday morning.