AOH Cup: Waterloo knock out Shandon Celtic on penalties after six-goal thriller

Waterloo 3 Shandon Celtic 3

(Waterloo won 7-6 on pens)

In what was an action-packed cup-tie at the Mayfield United all-weather facility, Waterloo advanced to the third-round stage of the AOH Cup following a 7-6 penalty shoot-out victory over Shandon Celtic after it was 3-3 over extra time.

There was nothing much between these two well-matched sides who produced an energy-sapping cup-tie over the full duration and although chances at both ends were missed, it was no surprise either to see the encounter going all the way to penalties to decide the outcome.

After a busy start, Scott Shine turned his marker before firing over and when a corner was cleared, Ronan O’Brien crossed for Lorcan Clinton to skim the upright with a glancing header.

Then, at the other end, Glen Cambridge just failed to get a touch with his head on Jamie Gardiner’s cross.

After a strong run down the left flank from Conor Kelly, he whipped in a dangerous cross which had Conor O’Regan grabbing at the second time of asking as Glen Cambridge lurked with intent.

The first chance of note then fell for Waterloo when Jack O’Keeffe cut inside on the left before drilling straight at Stephen O’Callaghan.

A neat Waterloo move developed then when Jack Homan played it on for Jack O’Keeffe, he crossed low for Scott Shine, who was foiled by a smothering save from Stephen O’Callaghan.

Then, after showing some neat skills with his feet, Jack Homan rifled a decent effort wide from 25 yards out.

When play switched to the other end, David Cummins exchanged passes with Cian O’Driscoll before firing narrowly wide of the far post and from Damien Morey’s free kick, Glen Cambridge headed into the waiting arms of Conor O’Regan.

But, on 33, the ice was broken when Jack O’Keeffe was allowed space to surge forward before cracking a lovely finish into the far corner and hand the Loo a 1-0 lead.

Waterloo had a glorious chance to double their advantage when they were awarded a penalty soon after, but from the spot, Stephen O’Callaghan brought off a marvellous save to deny Ronan O’Brien’s effort reaching the target.

The final action in the first half then saw Jamie Gardiner’s turn and strike whistle wide before a top-drawer tackle from Graham Hosford denied Ronan O’Brien a strike on target.

With just four minutes into the second period, it was honours even when Glen Cambridge turned his effort into the Loo’s net from David Cummins’ low cross.

Another good chance fell for Shandon, but from Damien Morey’s free kick, Cambridge hooked on for Conor Kelly, who steered wide while unattended near the far post.

Then, showing neat skill, man of the match Jack O’Keeffe slipped in between two opponents before drilling straight at Stephen O’Callaghan.

After being awarded a free kick around 20 yards out, the Loo found themselves in front when Ronan O’Brien unleashed a terrific strike that flew into the top corner - 2-1 to the Loo on 65.

The Loo nearly got a third when from Ronan O’Brien’s free kick, Aaron Buckley’s attempt to squeeze home from close range was scrambled away to safety by Stephen O’Callaghan.

But, after being awarded a penalty, Shandon restored parity once again when Glen Cambridge rifled home from the spot on 80 minutes.

With the tie now being forced into extra time, both sides went for it, but it was Shandon who nosed in front in the first period when from a corner, Warren Forde was on hand to force the ball home from inside the box.

Then, in the fifth minute of the second period, the Loo struck when following a hand-ball incident inside the box, Ronan O’Brien slotted home the equaliser, which in the end made it 3-3 after extra time.

So, it was on to the penalty shoot-out as Waterloo proved more accurate in the end with a 7-6 victory to advance to the third round of the competition.

WATERLOO: Conor O’Regan, Shane O’Shea, Lorcan Clinton, Sean Hannafin, Jack Hannon, Adam Coulter, Jack O’Keeffe, Scott Shine, Ronan O’Brien, David Cremin, Alan Shine.

Subs: Aaron Buckley for David Cremin (52), Fionn Hall for Alan Shine (58), Isac Cronin for Adam Coulter (69), Zac Hickey for Shane O’Shea (106), Dan McSweeney for Lorcan Clinton (108).

SHANDON CELTIC: Stephen O’Callaghan, David Cummins, Damien Morey, Eric Dorgan, Graham Hosford, Cian O’Driscoll, Ian Shellard, Jack O’Hanlon, Jamie Gardinar, Glen Cambridge, Conor Kelly.

Subs: Colin Farmer for Jack O’Hanlon (51), Jonathon Cronin for Jamie Gardiner (58), Dylan McCarthy for Damien Morey (75), Warren Forde for David Cummins (86).

Referee: Keith Haines.