Ardee safe after scare
ARDEE CELTIC CARRICK ROVERS 2 1
ARDEE Celtic secured their Premier status going into the inaugural calendar year season with this victory at Townparks last Friday night - but only after surviving a few late scares.
The Deesiders took the lead in the first half when Gareth Kane latched onto a ball over the top of Carrick’s defence and finished with a classy strike on the half-volley.
hat proved to be the only goal in the opening 45 minutes, with Ardee failing to convert any of a host of other chances, and it was a similar story after the break as Shane Hickey in particular failed to convert a few one-on-one opportunities.
However, with 15 minutes left Ardee finally gave themselves a more comfortable cushion when Ryan Burns finally scored with a header from a corner kick.
Carrick, who had picked up just one point from their previous four league matches, weren’t about to give up, though, and with seven minutes left they pulled a goal back to set up a nervy finish for the home side.
In fact, during that time Ardee goalkeeper Stuart Reynolds had to pull off a few smart saves and Carrick also hit the post, but somehow the hosts survived to end the threat of relegation and leave Carrick more or less in a two-way battle with Duleek to avoid the drop.
Best for Ardee on the night were Niall Sharkey, Reynolds and man of the match Burns.
ARDEE CELTIC: Stuart Reynolds, Lorcan Myles, Niall Sharkey, Ken Thornton, Robbie Reynolds, Aaron Roche, John Bingham, Tristan Knowles, Gareth Kane, Shane Hickey, Ryan Burns. Subs: Shawni Dowdall for Kane, Stuart Osborne for Knowles, Bryan O’Connor for Roche.
Reserve Cup Second Round:
Muirhevnamor 3 Redeemer Cel 1.
Prem Res:
Ardee Cel 4 Kentstown 3; Bellurgan 0 Newfoundwell 3.
A Res:
Athboy 3 Carrick 2; Parkvilla 7 Albion 3rds 0; Torro 1 OMP 1.
B Res:
Donacarney 2 Kilmessan 3; Virginia Cel 2nds 2 Trim Town 0.
SUNDAY SEP 30th
FAI Junior Cup Second Round:
Chanel SSC 0 Bellurgan 3.
LFA Junior Shield First Round:
Glenmuir United 3 Clara Town 2; St Joseph’s 5 Donacarney Celtic 2.
Tully Bookmakers Challenge Cup:
Kilmessan 0 Newfoundwell 2; Kentstown Rovers 5 Thatch FC 0; Duleek 2 Hazel Lane Utd 0; Park Celtic Summerhill 2 Bay FC 2 AET (1-4 pens).
Kilmessan Shield First Round:
Electro Celtic 5 Redeemer Celtic 1; Slane Wanderers 0 Kells Celtic 5; Torro Utd 4 Oldcastle Utd 1.
O’Neills Sports Div 1:
Trim Town 1 OMP 8.
Div 2:
Woodview 4 Navan Cosmos 0.
Div 3:
Chord Cel 4 Newtown 2.
Div 4:
Bohermeen Celtic 6 Millmount Celtic 0; Fordrew Rovers 2 BMC Utd 7; Lourdes Celtic 0 Abbey Celtic 2.
Fixtures
Drogheda Town v Boyne Harps, Wayne Doyle.
THURSDAY OCT 4th, 8.0
Div 1:
Albion Rovers v Athboy Celtic, Brendan Doyle.
FRIDAY OCT 5th, 8.0
LFA Junior Cup Second Round:
Johnstown v Malahide Utd, MDL Astro, B Gillespie.
LFA Junior Shield First Round:
Lusk United v BJD Celtic, Rathmore Road, 7.45.
Tully Bookmakers Challenge Cup:
Ardee Cel v Rock Cel, C Halligan.
Kilmessan Shield First Round:
Parkvilla v Trim Town, J Crawley.
Div 3:
Moneymore v Robinstown, Drogheda DIFE Astro, 7.30, Gary Doyle. Division 1 Division 2 Division 4