Fanad United’s FAI Cup hopes ended at first hurdle by Leicester Celtic
After opening brightly enough, Arthur Lynch's men would find themselves two drift by the hour mark and while Paddy Carr pulled one back late on, there just wasn't any time to push for an equaliser
On a bright sunny afternoon in Rathfarnham Fanad United’s FAI Cup hopes ended at the first hurdle against a strong Leicester Celtic.
And it was a Kevin Maguire double for the hosts that made the difference as Arthur Lynch’s men found themselves two adrift by the hour mark.
And while the visitors did pull one back late on, the final whistle would signal soon after.
After a cagy opening few minutes, it was Fanad who carved out the opening chance of the game when a Liam McGrenagh free kick was headed wide by Paddy Carr.
In the next phase of play Fionnan O’ Reilly broke down the wing for the home side before his effort was well saved at the near post by Mark McGoinley.
After the opening quarter, chances became more prominent the first of these was a half volley from range Darren McElwaine.
Just before the half-hour mark and against the run of play, the home side broke down the wing and after some great work by Hugh Keller the ball landed at the feet of Kevin Maguire, who gave the home side the lead.
This kicked Fanad into gear as the majority of their chances came through set pieces from McGrenagh whose left-footed delivery were causing trouble along with a couple of long throws.
Leicester keeper Charles Delmotte and Patrick Carr were having their own battle with Delmotte saving a free kick before a Carr header that was bound for the net was kept out.
On the cusp of half time, the Leinster league side nearly doubled their lead when O’Reilly unleashed an effort from long range which cannoned off the bar before Keller header went narrowly wide.
Once the game resumed, Fanad piled on the pressure, creating a number of chances that fell to Patrick McGinley, whose effort was well defended. Moments later, it was that man Carr again who got his head to a ball which flew wide.
In the 60th minute, the home side doubled their lead when that pair of Keller and Maguire teamed up with the striker firing home from the edge of the box.
Within a minute, the gap could have been narrowed when Adam Carr broke through but his effort was well kept out by Delmotte.
The final quarter of this cup tie was all Celtic as they piled the pressure on with the Carrs to the fore. First up was striker Adam, who had two efforts, one of which was saved before he dragged the next one wide.
With the final whistle in sight a Darren McElwaine effort was well defended but from the corner, Paddy Carr rose highest to finally break through Delmotte.
The last two chances of the tie fell to the visitors but McElwaine's first effort was well kept out before his final free kick flew over the crossbar on the full-time whistle.
Leicester Celtic: Charles Delmotte: Ruairí Fortune, Christian Bagrin (Emmet Lawless, 73), Aaron Wedick (Daniel McCullagh, 85), Kevin Curry; Alan O’ Shaughnessy, Owen Norton, Eoghan Hennessy, Kevin Maguir; Hugh Keller, Fionnan O’ Reilly (Liam McSeeney, 87).
Fanad Utd: Mark McGonigley; Keelin McElwaine, Liam McGrenaghan (Daibhid Lynch, 69), Seamus Friel, James Gallagher; Eoin Logue, Patrick McGinley, (Edward O’Reilly, 58), Patrick Carr, Adam Carr; Peter Carr, Darren McElwaine.
Referee Robert Redmond.
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