Celtic Bhoys took game to St Marys FC but lost in closing stages of game
County Antrim Football Association,
ToalsBet.com Junior Shield Final,
Celtic Bhoys 1 4 St Mary’s (Newtownabbey).
Celtic Bhoys have had a great run this season and won their way to the final of the ToalsBet.com Junior Shield against St Mary’s FC from Newtownabbey, last yuears winner who beat Castlewellan in a tight match.
Celtic were looking forward to the encounter and from the whistle gave an excellent account of themselves attacking promptly with confidence.
Connail Kerr was making good progress on the left wing and Celtic had a few half chances early on.
They did most of the footwork and challenged St Mary’s relentlessly. Jarleth Branagan made a few rushes at the goal and sent in some volleys on target but keeper Jonah Maginn was saving well.
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Adam Watkiss did make a powerful low volley at the Celtic goal and keeper Nathan Curran made a terrific diving save to keep the ball out of the net.
Connail Kerr who was impressive with piercing runs on the left wing, had suffered an injury early on and on the 25th minute had to be replaced by Sean Ferris.
Then in the 28th minute after Celtic doing most of the donkey work, St Mary’s had hardly made a solid break in the first period until their number 11 Saul Boyle on 28 minutes made a great pick up on the back of the box from a long cross and ran through and by-passed a defender to slot in to open the score for St Mary’s. This was a painful moment for Celtic.
However, Celtic ground on applying themselves playing positive, attacking football. Ferris started making fast runs at the defence challenging evertything hustling for a chance to score.
Eventually the Celtic hard work paid off and a chip through to Branagan saw him efficiently put the ball past keeper Maginn to level the score at 1-1 on the 37th minute.
Gerard Collins won a free kick 40 yards from the St Mary’s goal towards the break and Shaun Megahey took the shot but sent it high over the top bar. The second half started like the first with Celtic pressing hard but gradually St Mary’s showed confidence and kept their nerve and fought back.
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Jay Gibney took one volley which was just off target by inches, then in a following incident, captain Michael Rice headed just over the bar. Celtic were getting a few opportunities but their accuracy in scoring was not great and was the start of their downfall. Probably match nerves were at play.
Gradually St Mary’s came back into the game and captain Conor Kearney hammered in a header to the Celtic net close in on the 66th minute raising their hopes.
Peter Turley was just off target too from a Shaun Megahey cross as Celtic fought back. It wasn’t their day.
Collins came off replaced by Jordan McCoubrey and the Hoops pressed on.
On 72 minutes Branagan launched a solid volley but it just rose over the St Mary’s bar.
St Mary’s were starting to open up and challenged the Celtic goal more then on the 85th minute as the game was getting very tense, Kearney scored again widening the gap to two goals for St Mary’s.
Celtic had thrown their efforts upfield and left a gap in their defence to their peril. As the game played out, Jay Gibney made a great pass to Sean Ferris but the ball had just too much pace to get it under control.
Celtic could have made a late goal and forced extra time but as the clock ticked in 90+2 minutes, sub Niall McDaid blasted Celtic’s hopes of a win to kingdom come but taking a fourth goal for St Mary’s.
The game was over for Celtic who had really played well but at the heels of the hunt, they were beat by a side that kept its cool under the moments of pressure (and there were plenty) and played good football when it mattered to secure a 3 goal advantage.
Congratulations to St Marty’s and commiserations to Celtic Bhoys.
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Celtic Bhoys: 1 Nathan Curran (GK) 2 Shaun Megahey 3 Eamon Gargan 4 Peter Turley 5 Michael Rice (C) 6 Jordan Curran 7 Corey McCartan 8 Gerard Collins 9 Jay Gibney 10 Jarleth Branagan 11 Canaill Kerr. Subs: 12 Caoimhin Groves 13 Jordan McCoubrey 14 Sean Ferris 15 Ryan Doran 16 Peter Casey.
St Mary’s (Newtownabbey): 1 Jonah Maginn (GK) 2 Lewis McFadden 3 Eoghan O’Hare 4 Harry Griffin 5 Adam Watkiss 7 Jake Carey 8 Conor Kearney (C) 9 Ruairi Bannon 10 Martin Murphy 11 Saul Boyle. Subs: 21 Connor Meehan 14 Thomas McCaffrey 15 Ryan Russell 16 Niall McDaid 17 Jamie Jenkins.
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