Celtic Bhoys Overpower A Depleted Ballynagross Side
The Newcastle and District Amateur Football League.
Premier Division – League Match.
Celtic Boys 4 1 Ballynagross.
An under-strength Ballynagross side made the short journey to Ballyhornan for this league encounter writes Cyril McKinney.
Ballynagross went behind after just two minutes when Jay Gibney was sent clear on the right wing and curled a great cross across the six yard box. His strike partner Sean McMahon was there to cleverly side foot to the net past a helpless Arnold in the visitors nets.
It could have been worse on 9 minutes when right back McCartan rifled in a shot from the right edge of the box, but as it headed for the top corner Arnold brilliantly tipped it over the bar at full stretch.
Ballynagross had John Shields to thank as he fought for every ball and chased and harried and set up Keith on 17 minutes who tested Fitzpatrick in the home net with a pile driver from the edge of the box.
However, Celtic Boys went two up on 19 minutes when McMahon took advantage of a hesitant Ballynagross defence who were waiting for the off-side flag and he curled a neat finish past Arnold form just outside the box in front of goal.
In response Ballynagross fought back and pressed forward and reduced the deficit on 32 minutes when Conor Campbell fired to the net with a snapshot from just inside the left side of the box.
But the comeback was short lived as three minutes later McMahon made it 3-1 with a clinical finish at the back post going into halftime.
Into the second half and neither side created many clear cut opportunities with both defences on top but the final say was McCoubrey who scored with a tidy finish to leave it 4-1 to the home side.
For the visitors John Shields worked hard and Christopher Laverty stood out at the back, but the it was McMahon who was the star of the show for Celtic Boys with three quality goals to add to his four last week. Definitely a man on a mission
Celtic Boys: Caolain Fitzpatrick, Corey McCartan, Ruarai Quinn, Caolain Logue, Blaine Connolly, Barry Treacy, Jordan McCoubrey, Peter Casey, Jay Gibney, Sean McMahon, Conaill Kerr. Subs: Sean Cahill for Peter Casey , Sean Ferris, Niall Morrison
Ballynagross FC: Cathail Arnold, Conor Kernan, Christopher Laverty, Connor Marron, Corey Davis, Conor Campbell, Shea McComiskey, John Shields, Declan Dowie, Philip Doran, Ronan Keith Subs: Deaglan Craig.
