Drogheda Independent

Another final on cards as Brennan strikes

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DONACARNEY CELTIC CLONEE UNITED 1 0

DONACARNEY Celtic progressed to the final of the SFAI North Leinster Regional Cup for the second year in a row thanks to a hard-fought single-goal victory against Clonee on Sunday.

Celtic had much the better of the first half and had several good opportunit­ies to score before making the breakthrou­gh on 15 minutes. A good move resulted in the Clonee keeper making a double save before the incoming Conor Brennan calmly clipped the ball high into the net.

It was no more than Celtic deserved and Jake Hough was inches away from doubling Celtic’s lead on 25 minutes with a fine right-foot effort.

A 3-0 scoreline would not have flattered Celtic at half-time as Brennan, Naoise Maguire and Finn Coomber were on top in midfield, while Hough, Alex Wade and the tireless Niall Kelly were a constant threat up front.

With the wind at their back Clonee came more into the game in the second half, but Donacarney continued to create the better chances. The back four of Luke Walsh, Oisin Corcoran, Jack Martin and the impressive Cormac O’Donoghue delivered a discipline­d collective performanc­e to deal with the dangerous Clonee attack.

Jamie Gamble was commanding in the Celtic goal and dealt with several potentiall­y dangerous balls over the top in the second half.

Clonee continued to applied pressure in the last 10 minutes, but Donacarney held firm thanks to some resolute defending and a fine injury-time Gamble save from a back-post Clonee header.

This semi-final victory comes on the back of Donacarney’s recent 3-0 win after extra time in the SFAI National Cup round of 32.

Two goals from Conor Brennan and one from Alex Wade saw them through on the day against a tough Knocknacar­ra side from Galway.

Next up for Celtic is a trip to face Waterford’s Tramore in the last 16 of the the National Cup this coming Saturday, but the big games keep coming for this fine team as the final of the Regional Cup against Lusk United is expected to be played in early March.

 ??  ?? Donacarney Celtic Under-13s have another final to look forward to.
Donacarney Celtic Under-13s have another final to look forward to.
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