Warrior spirit of Ardee is decisive

TERMONFECKIN ARDEE CELTIC 1 2

ARDEE Celtic had to dig deep to see off Termonfeckin in a pulsating Dundalk Under-17 League clash on Saturday.

This game was decided nine minutes from time when Peter Dickson kept his cool to slot home after great build-up work from Bendera Abekyamwive and Michal Szostakowski.

Even then Termonfeckin might well have stolen a point with the last kick of the game as Sean Maguire fired goalwards and a wicked deflection forced keeper Hugh Murphy to dive smartly to save on the line, with Dickson clearing the rebound.

It was a physical battle between two enterprising teams on a heavy pitch and it could have gone either way.

Termomfeckin had the better of the first half and might have led inside 15 minutes when Sean Maguire’s free kick was turned around the post by Murphy.

Maguire again nipped in on 25 minutes and fire goalwards, only for Murphy to save well.

Ryan Walsh was rarely tested at the other end but was part of a well-drilled defence, with Dylan Tiernan rock solid in the centre.

A wonderful strike by Richie Clinton gave the home side the lead and they were poised for a second goal when Sam Achloya broke through, but Murphy stood up well to save.

The unquenchable character of Cathal Fleming, Ben Quaile, Dylan White and Szostakowski fired Celtic forward, with Seldis Hyseni, Luke Dunne, Dean Burns, Oisin McKenna and Ciaran Russell adding full support.

> The natural pace of Caolan McCabe finally brought Ardee a deserved reward on 55 minutes, the elusive frontman dashing clear inside the box, only to be upended by the keeper. He dusted himself off to fire home the penalty.

Ardee boss Gary Malone brought Peter Dickson into the game and that was to prove the defining moment. He might have had a penalty minutes after McCabe’s effort - appeals were waved away - before Maguire headed over and Murphy again saved from Clinton.

Dickson struck with nine minutes left, and in a cracking conclusion Ardee’s warrior-like spirit, crafted from manager Malone’s utter enthusiasm, won the day.

Ardee had big performances all over the park in an all-round team effort.

TERMONFECKIN:

Dundalk S’boy Lge

Wednesday December 6th Under-15

Thursday December 7th Under-16 Saturday December 9th Under-13 Under-15 Under-17

Sunday December 10th Under-12 ARDEE CELTIC:

FIXTURES

Drogheda Town do battle with Corduff during Sunday morning’s NDSL Under-16 game at St Oliver’s CC.

A Drogheda Town player is outnumbered during Sunday’s NDSL Under-16 game against Corduff.