Local derby sees Ballynagross 2s overpower Celtic Academy
The Newcastle and District Amateur Football League.
Division One – League Match.
Ballynagross seconds 3 Celtic Boys Academy 1
Report by Cyril McKinney from Mountain Quarter, Saul.
This was a game played with great intensity from both sides who competed for every ball, chased and harried the opposition throughout and vocally challenged every possible referee decision.
Both defences ensured that chances were limited through last ditch tackles or clearing their lines to great effect. The deadlock was broken on 15 minutes when a long diagonal freekick from the Ballynagross right near halfway was missed by the Celtic Boys rearguard and there lurking at the backpost was Declan Dowie who volleyed past a static O’Gormley in the visitors nets to put the homeside 1-0 up.
Despite the best efforts of the Celtic Boys midfield and a lack of quality on the final ball to the front two the score remained 1-0 at the break.
It was more of the same in the second half with both teams on the offensive but neither team could find that final quality ball. On 73 minutes the home team won a corner and Cormac Byrne rose highest to power home a thumping header from six yards giving the keeper no chance.
This spurred the visitors into action and on 78 minutes after great work down the right from Cahill and then Dagens who fired a ball across and as the defender attempted to intercept the ball struck his arm and the referee pointed to the spot. Ferris converted the spot kick sending Arnold the wrong way to set up an interesting finale.
However any hope of a comeback was quickly snuffed out by that Dowie who volleyed home a great left wing cross to the back post – a great goal. In the last ten minutes of the game Celtic Boys had a few chances to narrow the gap including two from the veteran Jason Dagens who could not convert from close range. Ballynagross were deserved winners and it was three quality finishes that made the difference
Ballynagross Seconds: Cathaill Arnold, Conor Doyle,Ciaran McKermott, Gordon , Connor Marron, Philip Doran, Patrick Smith, Declan Dowie, John Shields, John Mahonney, Cormac Byrne Subs: Conor Vize for Patrick Smith, Lorcan Ritchie, Damian Braniff for John Shields
Celtic Boys Academy: Gerard O’Gormley, Sean Cahill, Christopher Laverty, Ciaran McMenamin, Caolin Logue, Taylor Loudan, Sean Ferris, James Dean McCreesh, Corey McCartan, Conaill Kerr, Patrick Ferris, Subs: Ryan McKinney, Jason Dagens, Matthew McKee.
