CHAMPAGNE CHARLIE

Tommys 3 Willows 2

Champagne Charlie Kelly, bustling Bob O’Malley and hitman Harry Phelan struck in typical fashion to end the Willows winning start in the First Division of the Summer League and in doing so left the title race right back in the balance.

The win was orchestrated by the overall spirit in the Tommys team, urged on by an enthusiastic manager, Ken Hocy on the line and although only winning one of their previous five outings they certainly looked the part in the early stages of this one.

Harry Phelan, such a danger throughout tested Willows keeper, Jo Jo Murphy with an inswinging corner in the first two minutes while Kieran McDonnell, displaying a cool head throughout in the midficld, almost set Kelly clear 10 minutes later. Although Derek Hickey, Gary Carolan and Anthony Branigan were finding their feet around the centre there was little change from a resolute Tommys side, Joe Connor and Noel Gallagher battling bravely with the outstanding central pairing of Chris Sullivan and Sean McDonagh, the Stackallen star of last season.

The league leaders who had player/ manager John Hagan at centre half, looked dangerous on the counter attack with such men as John Reilly, Eric Carolan and David McEntaggart about and it needed the intervention of Tommys keeper Owen O’Brien to save at the foot of the post from Reilly on the half hour. Indeed it was poor finishing throughout which had Willows struggling although it was more bad luck which denied Hickey seven minutes later, his shot from the edge of the box hitting the crossbar.

The rain, spreading in from the West and shrowding the Mosncy venue in black cloud, (yes, it was late June!!!), failed to dampen Tommys spirits and five minutes to half time they took an amazing lead. A ball over the top was chased by Hagan and Charlie Kelly, the Stackallen man winning the race and sending it back lo keeper Murphy but the greasy ball slipped from his grasp and in darted Kelly to guide it over the line.

Moments later it could so easily have been Ievel. John Reilly played an inch perfect ball over Sullivan’s head, sending McEntaggart clear but with the Northsidc Blues ace battling back, McEntaggart drove against the post and the rebound was smothered by O’Brien from Hickcy’s follow up. A let off for Tommys and one they capitalised upon 90 seconds into the second half.Again Kelly was the motivation, rounding Murphy wide on the left, and sending, in a perfect cross for O’Malley to meet with a spectacular diving header. O’Brien then delivered at the other end as Willows were stunned into action.

The keeper saved soundly from McEntaggart and then in acrobatic fashion turned a Carolan free kick over the crossbar. Frank McCloskcy and Phelan continued lo cover a lot of room around the back as Lee Connolly, Hagan, now at centre forward, and Branigan forced the pace. Twenty minutes from time McEntaggart raced in on a rare slip by O’Brien to make it 2-1 but nine minutes later it was virtually all over as Tommys broke from defence and O’Malley found Phelan 25 yards out and having spotted the keeper just off his line superbly chipped the ball to the roof of the net. Martin Phelan replaced O’Malley in a pulsating finish which saw John Hagan send a point blank header crashing off the bar but Reilly converting and with less than two minutes remaining Willows last chance evaporated, Eric Carolan’s crisply struck effort blocked by the ever alert O’Brien. In all a fully deserved win for Tommys who were even without top scorer Ciaran Campbcll.Gary Carolan was the Willows most effective front man but not even he could breach the Sullivan and McDonagh inspired rearguard. Referee on the night was Francis Dunne from Balbriggan.

Willows; Jo Jo Murphy, Lee Connolly, Paul Kirwan, John Hagan, John Murphy, Anthony Branigan, Gary Carolan, D Hickey, David McEntaggart, Eric Carolan, John Rcilly.Sub; Liam O’Brien.

Tommys; Owen O’Brien, Noel Gallagher, Joe Connor, Chris Sullivan, Sean McDonagh, Martin O’Neill, Harry Phelan, Kieran McDonnell, Bob O’Malley, Frank McCloskey, Charlie Kelly. Subs: Martin Phelan for O’Malley 82 mins, Noel Bradley.