Tullamore face away trip after cup tie ends level

Tullamore Town 0 Carrigaline United 0 The first round of the Ford FAI cup saw Munster senior league side Carrigaline United travel to Tullamore on Saturday last and the sides must do it all again after the game finished scoreless. The visitors had the better of the early exchanges and it was the home defence who were busiest with Joe Mooney in the Tullamore goal collecting a dangerous cross under a heavy challenge as early as the second minute. On seven minutes a great passing interchange between Trevor Moylan and Eoghan O"Shea found Kevin Duffy whose shot from distance tested the Carrigaline defence. Tullamore were soon to find their composure in the middle of the park and, on 12 minutes, a great through ball found Mark Goodings in a race for possession with the keeper who just managed to slide clear. Simon Keegan came close when he was put through on goal but was denied by a great saving tackle by Ruairi O"Halloran. Keegan was again unlucky minutes later when put through by a great pass from Mark Goodings only to be judged offside in what had to be the tightest of calls. The second half started well for the home side with the midfield duo of Duffy and Francis dictating the pace. On the left flank Stephen Francis sent a great pass to Mark Goodings whose knock down to Kevin Duffy saw the midfielder"s shot fly just wide. It was now looking better for the home side but seven minutes in against the run of play Wayne Bruton for Carrigaline was put through on goal after rounding the keeper and only a terrific goal-line clearance by Scott Delaney prevented the visitors from going ahead. Kevin Duffy again came close for Town when his fierce drive from distance saw Declan Owens in the Carrigaline goal only manage to parry wide for a corner. The resultant corner produced a heart-stopping moment when Eoghan O"Shea at the back post headed neatly back to his defensive partner Scott Delaney, whose header went the wrong side of the visitors" post. Substitute Michael Hoey was immediately in the thick of the action, setting up the best chance of the game with a terrific cross, which was met perfectly by Simon Keegan, but his header flew just over the crossbar. The closing minutes were all Tullamore and, in the third minute of injury time, Simon Keegan shot just over after a cross from Hoey. And so it was honours even on a scoreline 0-0 which left the home crowd happy with the endeavour shown by their team, but no less disappointed by the final result which leaves a tricky away assignment next weekend for Mark Dempsey"s charges.