Lucky number 13 for New Oak as “The Paupish” claim fourth Carlow Cup in a row
The New Oak team celebrates with supporters afte defeating St. Patrick’s in the Carlow Cup final in Killeshin. Photo: michaelorourkephotography.ie
The number 13 is said to be unlucky for some, but not for New Oak as they picked up their 13th trophy of the Gavin Dowling era on Saturday evening, picking up their fourth successive Carlow Cup, beating their rivals, St. Pat’s on penalties to complete a cup treble. In what was an exhibition of soccer between the best two sides in Carlow this season filled with chances galore for both sides, it was New Oak who edged it on penalties, Craig Kearney in the goal once again showing why he is one of the best ‘keepers in the league, pulling off a save from Callum Warfield from the opening penalty to set the tone for the shootout before Eoin Carolan hit his penalty over the bar later in the shootout. It represented New Oak’s 11th win in 12 domestic cup finals in Carlow in the last four years. Going into the match, the two sides were locked at 1-1-1 in matches between them this season, with this being the deciding match in the two team's rivalry this season.
From the off, it looked like a tight game, and it proved to be so. New Oak went ahead after eight minutes as Lee Walker fired in a ball from the left and David Doyle headed it in unmarked to open the scoring. Pat’s levelled in the 16th minute as the ball fell to Lord Afrifa on the left hand side just outside the box and he had all the time in the world to compose himself and fire in under the legs of Kearney in the goal. Both 'keepers pulled off some fantastic saves throughout the game, with neither side able to break the deadlock. After 110 minutes of play there was no separating the two sides, so the match would be decided on spot kicks.
Pat’s went first and up stepped the golden boot winner Callum Warfield for Pat’s and as his penalty looked set for the top right hand corner, Kearney managed to save, leaping up high to his left to palm the ball away. Eoin Carolan stepped up to take the third penalty for Pat’s but he hit his effort well over the bar, missing the top left hand corner. Joe Gordon stepped up to take the fourth penalty for Pat’s needing to score with the score standing at 3-1 after three penalties each. He hit his effort in, leaving Dylan Keightley to hit the winning penalty in.
Speaking afterwards, New Oak manager Gavin Dowling said once it went to penalties, he was quietly confident of getting the win. “I just said to lads on the line once it went to penalties, I have to fancy us all day, because Craig [Kearney] is a super penalty saver. I've seen him in penalties before making three, four penalty saves in shootouts for us. So I backed us all day once it went to the shootout to win.”
