Newmarket Celtic win FAI Junior Cup for the first after penalty shoot-out victory against St Michael's AFC

Newmarket Celtic won the FAI Junior Cup for the first time in their history after a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory against St Michael's AFC.

Harvey Cullinan's penalty put Newmarket into a first-half lead but David Slattery equalised from close range in the 57th minute. St. Michael's defender Paul Breen was sent off in the final four minutes of normal time as Jack Kelly scored the winning penalty in a dramatic 5-4 penalty shoot-out win.

Two Ireland Amateur internationals were named in the starting XI of either side as Jimmy Carr lined up for St. Michael's AFC and Eoin Hayes skippered Newmarket Celtic. It was the Tipperary club who started the stronger and threatened within the first two minutes of the game as Paul Breen headed narrowly wide from a right-sided free-kick. Newmarket worked their way back into the game as both sides battled difficult conditions at Jackman Park.

Newmarket found themselves in front on the half-hour after they were awarded a penalty and Harvey Cullinan stepped up to fire home past Adrian Walsh in the Saints' net.

Whatever was said by Saints manager at half-time worked as the Tipp club came out with added impetus as Jimmy Carr headed wide seven minutes into the second-half.

Five minutes later, Saints equalised from a well-worked set-piece. The right-sided corner found Breen who flicked it towards David Slattery who didn't need a second invitation to powerfully fire home to draw Saints level.

Saints continued to push forward as the impressive Edmond O'Dwyer turned inside off the left and fired his curling effort over the bar in the 68th minute.

Both sides continued to threaten in the difficult conditions as the rain lashed Jackman Park throughout the second-half. Saints' task was made even more