GLASLOUGH Villa left Carrick Rovers paying the penalty in Sunday’s all Monaghan Tully Bookmakers Challenge Cup clash at Aghnagap.

Despite both sides having numerous chances the deadlock could not be broken after 120 minutes of frantic football. This was mainly due to the excellent goal keeping of Ian Deardon (Glaslough) and David Watters (Carrick Rovers).

Glaslough’s Stevie Mulligan almost snatched the win in the dying minutes of extra time but his shot whistled just wide. So it was onto the dreaded spot kicks to decide who would be the only Monaghan side remaining in the cup.

In a dramatic penalty shoot-out, Carrick missed their third and fourth spot kicks whereas Villa converted all four through Nigel McQuillan, Phillip Flack, Colm McKenna and Kieran Hughes to ensure progression to the quarter finals.

Speaking after the game, Villa manager Damian Barry was understandably relieved but delighted with the win but acknowledged that the game was very even and that the result could easily have gone Carrick Rovers way. He also paid tribute to a very strong Carrick Rovers team on providing such stiff opposition.

Carrick Rovers manager Enda Tourish was obviously disappointed with the nature of the defeat but very graciously wished Glaslough Villa all the very best for the remainder of the cup campaign. See page 83 for full match report.