Penalty shoot-out drama in Laois soccer cup contest

Seamus Rosney was the hero as Clonaslee United advanced to Round 3 of the CCFL Combined Counties Cup, winning on penalties away to Abbeyleix Athletic on Sunday afternoon. Rosney saved two penalties in the shootout to help Clonaslee win their second knockout game in the last seven days.

Abbeyleix were hoping to put their poor league form to one side and build momentum in the cup, but they came up just short. Instead, Clonaslee built on their great start to the season on all fronts - Division 1, the Cotter Cup, and the Counties Cup.

CCFL Combined Counties Cup Round 2

Clonaslee Utd 1

Abbeyleix Ath 1 (Clonaslee win 4-3 on penalties)

The home side got off to a bright start, testing Rosney early in the Clonaslee goal. Alex Westbrook ran through one-on-one with the keeper in the 13th minute, but steered his shot wide of the post.

It was Clonaslee's turn to have some time on the ball after that, with Bob Downey going close with a volley from the edge of the box fizzing just wide.

Abbeyleix got back on the front foot midway through the half, controlling possession and territory, but found themselves smothered by a tenacious Clonaslee defence. Westbrook was having a fine game and struck the crossbar in the 33rd minute directly from a corner kick.

The visitors almost broke the deadlock moments later, but Dean Byrne was there to clear Niall Hogan's effort off the line. Clonaslee finished the half on top, but it ended scoreless at the break.

Then, just three minutes after the restart, the visitors took the lead. Joe McRedmond got on the end of a lovely cross into the box and met it with a cracker of a volley, almost bursting the net.

There was already a real bite to the game, but the intensity went up a level after the goal. One crunching tackle after another began to go in as the referee got plenty of use out of his yellow card.

Abbeyleix were level in the 62nd minute thanks to David Moloney. Clonaslee failed to deal with a free into the box and when the ball fell to Moloney he did just enough to steer it over the line.

Clonaslee began to mount the pressure, but they were kept at bay by goalkeeper Dayne Peacock - son of Abbeyleix senior hurling manager, PJ Peacock. Niall Hogan had a chance to put his side in front ten minutes from time, but could not get on the end of Cian Callaghan's ball across the face of goal.

It ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, meaning extra time was needed. But an uneventful 20 minutes meant the game would be settled on penalties.

Clonaslee went first with Downey scoring before Westbrook returned fire. Noah Flynn and Eoghan Fennelly then both saw their efforts saved.

Josh Flynn, Cian Callaghan and Adam McDermott all put away their penalties for Clonaslee, as did Jamie Stafford and Alex Conway for the hosts. But Rosney was the hero, getting down well to keep Ben Freeman's penalty out and hand Clonaslee a spot in the next round.