North End v Freebooters (FAI Junior)

North End lost their FAI Junior crown in dramatic circumstances in a windy New Ross this afternoon as they conceded a late goal to Freebooters and then had two players sent off. Freebooters were the better side in the first half and went ahead on eight minutes when a cross from wide left sailed in at the far post to give the NE keeper no chance. With Freebooters pressing high and Paddy Cahill and Peter Higgins dominating midfield, NE lost any pattern of play in the first half with Spot and Jay Murphy starved of any service up front. On 14 minutes, Paddy Cahill had a shot just over for Freebooters. Only chance of the half for NE came on 20 minutes to Jay Murphy, but he shot well over when he probably had time for a second touch. The Freebooter centre-halves were also dominating in the air so anything pumped into the Freebooter box was being dealt with capably. 1-0 to Freebooters at half-time.

NE started better in the second half and with Spot Murphy getting on the ball, things started to happen in the final third for NE. On five minutes, a neat through-ball by Spot put Adam Beary in the clear but his shot was blocked for a corner. Freebooters then had a free a yard wide of the NE post. Adam Beary was then sent free down the right and his cross found Shane Dempsey (good to see him back) who rose highest to plant a firm header into the net. However, the extra pace of the Freebooter forwards, particularly Conor English and Emmet Nugent, was causing difficulties for NE, and it led to a free just outside the NE area with five minutes to go following a run from deep by Conor English. The free was taken by Andrew Wall who smacked it home although it took a touch off a NE defender on the way. In a clash which followed the goal, ref. Sean Grant showed a straight red to, I think, Jay Murphy of NE, and NE were down to ten. NE managed to pump a few balls into the Freebooter area in the time which was left, but the Freebooter defence were strong in the air and offered no crumbs to the NE attack. In the final minute, Spot Murphy was adjudged to have pulled back a Freebooter attacker who would otherwise have had a free run in on goal and got a second yellow to leave NE to finish with nine. With Sean Grant giving a yellow every time studs were shown, about eight or nine yellow cards in the game. Impressive management performance by Freebooter manager and Wexford Youth legend, Graham Doyle, as Freebooters march on to the next round.

North End have beaten Freebooters 1-0 in the Leinster Junior Cup today to reverse the defeat by Freebooters in the FAI Junior Cup.