Newhill Cupset as McCann scores 2 penalties and saves 3!

Ormeau Park, Sunday 7 December 2008, 1:30PM

Dub FC (1)5 Newhill FC (1)3

Donal McCann made his 100th appearance and managed to score 2 penalties and save 3 yet he played midfield for the 120 minutes!

Dub qualified for the shield quarter finals but were pitted against the in-form league 1 leaders Newhill and so Art got the boys at Ormeau especially early so Harvey could warm up for the warm up. A few Dub legends were on hand to cheer the boys on - good to see Mark D, Mark M, Pete, Hodgy x 2 and the Big Chief in the crowd. Suspension had robbed Dub of one of this season's top scorers and Art had a real job in deciding what formation to use with his aging team. Dub hearts sank when the officials took to the pitch but were raised a little when Ron handed a flag to Marty.

The midfield was going to be important against such good opposition and Art went with Phil D and Gareth in the middle with Liam providing pace up the left wing - the idea being to feed Cormac and Manus with plenty of crosses. This proved to be an inspired decision when, as early as the third minute, Dub got their first chance. Some neat play in the middle resulted in the ball being played up the right with Gareth taking off, screaming like a girl, towards the penalty spot. A low cross from McCann was expertly left by the ever offside Cormac who couldn't bend far enough to make contact with his face and Gareth was on hand at the back post. He hit the ball like a rocket (he has a left foot like a traction engine) and gave the keeper no chance. 1-0 Dub. Unfortunately this woke the Newhill boys up and within 5 minutes they were level after some slack marking gave them their first opportunity. 1-1.

The rest of the first half was a bit of a stalemate. Phil won practically every high ball in midfield as Gareth left him to it. Manus held the ball up well and Gareth had a couple of chances to regain the lead but not even the midfield maestro could find the net from impossible angles.

The half time team talk was very positive and Phil "I think you covered everything Art" Doherty made sure everyone was focused for the second half. Sean raised morale by stating they would probably score and all we had to do was score more. A career in punditry awaits.

It didn't take long for the second half to come to life as Dub pressed from the whistle. After 7 minutes Manus again tortured the Newhill defence and got to the byline round his man who promptly took him down - penalty to Dub. Donal sent the keeper the wrong way. 2-1 Dub! Again Newhill raised their game and the tempo and it paid dividends when they were awarded a penalty. It was scored but almost saved by an onrushing Newhill player so it had to be retaken. Unfortunately Alan couldn't keep the second out and it was all square again.

Colm was unlucky to be replaced by Dubs answer to Rory Delap and Charlie and Michael Smyth also made appearances in the second half but it was Newhill who looked more likely to score. Ron ended normal time and announced 10 minutes each way for extra time. There were very few chances at either end with Newhill hitting the bar and Alan making a fine save late on and so it went to penalties. Art had prepared for this and made his second big decision of the day. Alan had had a superb game in goal but after Art insisted he reluctantly handed over the gloves to Donal. Art got everyone focused on the penalties and took Donal aside to give the midfielder some last minute advice. The order of penalties was decided with Phil and Manus going after Dubs replacement keeper followed by Ryan and Gareth with Sean at number 6 if necessary.

Newhill's first shot went left and McCann read it well and produced a great save. It started to look like another inspired Kernan decision. McCann then stepped forward to score Dub's first penalty ... what a day it was turning out to be for the midfielder turned surprise goalkeeper. Their goalkeeper then avoided a slow daisy cutter to give Dub the lead. The next penalty went right and McCann read it again - another save; Even Alan smiled at Art. Phjil had the opportunity to put daylight between the two teams. He managed to find the gap under the keeper and Dub had a 2-0 lead. Newhill's third penalty was a great effort and gave the Dub keeper no chance even if he had moved so Manus stepped up to keep the pressure on. He sent the man in green the wrong way and Dub knew that Newhill had to score all their remaining pens to have a chance.

The Newhill man placed the ball to the left of the Dub keeper with McCann pulling off yet another great save.. The squad then rushed to the goal line to inspect the crater left by the goalie and celebrate a great win. Dub now face old friends St Matts in the semi final in January (Mr Pacino has already been booked for the team talk) and Art will hope to repeat his heroics of the last semi between these two teams. Practically every Dub man played their part in this great result and hopefully this attitude and form will continue through the Christmas schedule.

McCann got the now customary ice cream for reaching his 100 appearances and set a new club record when eating it in under 10 seconds.

He received a large ice cream for his 2 goals and a flake for his assist. The chocolate sauce was for his three penalty saves.

2 mins - goal Dickson assist McCann (1-0)
7 mins - goal Newhill (1-1)

Half time 1-1

52 mins Goal McCann (penalty) assist O Gorman (2-1)
65 mins Goal Newhill (penalty)

Full time and AET (2-2)

Penalties;
1. McCann save
2. McCann goal (3-2)
3. McCann save
4. Doherty goal (4-2)
5. Newhill goal (4-3)
6. O Gorman goal (5-3)
7. McCann save

Referee; Ron

Squad

Alan Plunkett (sub 11 mins), Colm Flanagan (sub 65 mins), Mark Harvey, Sean Doherty, Gareth Dickson, Phil Doherty, Andy Bowd, Donal McCann, Manus O'Gorman, Cormac Kernan, Liam Elmore

Subs

Ryan McGaughey (65 mins), Michael Smyth (90 mins), Charlie Duffy (90 mins)

Match Statistics

Goals	Gareth Dickson Phil Doherty Donal McCann (2) Manus O'Gorman
Assists	Donal McCann Manus O'Gorman
Yellow cards	Sean Doherty Charlie Duffy
Red cards	-
Man of the match	Alan Plunkett