Sallypark produce another Cup shock in beating Celtic

SOCCER: North Tipperary & District League Review

 

 

By Padraig Ryan

 

There was another huge upset in the Tipperary Cup semi-final on Sunday with Sallypark securing a 4-3 win over Nenagh Celtic to continue their fairy tale run in this season’s competition. Dale Donnelly grabbed the late winner for Sallypark in what was a famous victory for the Divison 1 side.

Premier division champions Nenagh Celtic came into this game as firm favourites for the competition but were aware of the threat posed by Sallypark in their home venue. Killavilla had been dispatched by Eugene Foley’s side in the quarter final at the same venue and Thurles Town also fell victim to an upset against the same opposition.

The game started at a good tempo and was only five minutes old when David Young tested Celtic keeper David Walsh with a low effort that he did well to tip around the post.

Twenty minutes in, a long range effort from the impressive Brian Mitchell was brilliantly plucked from the top corner by Sallypark custodian Damien Corcoran.

With half an hour gone, Celtic took the lead when Mark Walsh took advantage of slack marking to power home a header from a Mitchell corner.

Sallypark didn’t drop their heads and had equalised within ten minutes, a Daniel Keogh corner was forced home by Padraig Ryan to leave the sides level at the break.

The second half started in the same competitive manner with the narrow field and soft ground making it difficult for Celtic to play their passing game while Sallypark were happy to battle for every ball.

This spirit led to Sally taking the lead on 68 minutes. Lively striker Séan Ryan chased an apparent lost cause down the left wing, eventually winning possession and avoiding a couple of challenges to finish at the near post.

 

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