Pike Rovers 3-2 Newmarket Celtic AET
Newmarket Celtic's FAI Junior Cup journey has come to an end for another year following a heartbreaking loss to Pike Rovers after extra time.
Cian Power's goal early in the first period of extra time was enough to finally see off the reds who had already battled back from a 2-0 deficit to force the additional periods.
The game was a mere 15 minutes old when Pike's Colin Daly opened the scoring. A winding run from Eoin Hanrahan followed by a dangerous cross set up Daly to poke the ball past Shane Cusack at the near post.
The best chance for the visitors fell to Tino Nzvaura who has been in excellent goalscoring form on the big stage of late but his header went wide of Gary Neville's post.
The highlight of the first half for the travelling crowd was the sight of the peacock-chested Owen McCarthy bouncing down the sideline to fill water bottles for the break only for the handle of the holder to fall off and leave him standing in a pool of water bottles.
Hopes were high for the second half with the wind at Newmarket's back but that optimism shrunk when Daly fired home his second.
Pike's Cian Collins held the ball up expertly before laying it off to Daly on the edge of the box and his first time curling effort gave Cusack no chance.
Immediately after, Kelly had a headed effort go wide of the post which was a telling sign of Celtic's dominance from set pieces.
They did get it right on the hour mark when Kelly got on the end of a long throw in from Colin Ryan to find the net and give hope to the massive Clare support.
As normal time drew to a close, David McCarthy sent Neville scrambling with a half-volley from distance but it wouldn't drop quite enough.
Two minutes into the added four, McCarthy stood over a free kick in the Pike half. His looping delivery was met by the head of Kelly and the former Junior International POTY sent the ball flying into the top corner for his second.
The drama wasn't finished there. David Reidy went on a mazy run through the Pike defence before laying the ball off to Ian Collins who just had Neville to beat but once more the goalkeeper came to Pike's rescue.
Cian Power was introduced for Pike for extra time and he made an instant impact by restoring their lead in the 94th minute. Once more Hanrahan's cause problems out wide and the delivery was perfect for Power at the far post.
Celtic didn't panic and kept pressing to try and get back level once more. Paddy Purcell had two efforts in quick succession but his volley was tipped over by Neville before the keeper produced an outstanding save from the resulting corner.
As time ticked away, the pressure increased but Pike never let up. Tipperary referee John Hadnett waved away a blatant handball in the Pike penalty area in the final minute meaning it was all over for Newmarket's Aviva dream.
Attention now turns to the Munster Junior where more Limerick opposition awaits in the last four, this time in the shape of Janesboro.