Super Mac to the rescue for league leaders
LIAM McDonnell’s spectacular last gasp goal completed a rousing second-half comeback as Rock fought back from two nil down to earn a point in this under-17 top of the tale clash at Sandy Lane on Saturday afternoon.
Glenmuir sitting in third place literally rocked the leaders with two goals in the space of three minutes in the first half and were set fair for a win that would have taken them within four points of Rock with a game in hand.
The introduction of striker Kizito Ekwueme and Conor Soraghan after this two goal salvo brought about an improvement in Rock’s play, but Glenmuir were fairly comfortable with not a lot happening in either penalty box as the second period progressed beyond the half way point.
Then Rock won a corner which was taken by their saviour McDonnell whose kick was met in mid air at the near post by Senan Duffy to turn it into the net and give his side a lifeline.
Still while Ekwueme with his strength and strong running was a threat, earning a number of freekicks on the edge of the 18 yard box, which could easily have yielded a penalty, the Glenmuir defence provided sound protection to David Hayes. The away goalkeeper hardly had a save of note to make in the game, and Rock were lucky at the other end when a glancing header by Aaron Fee from a free kick on half way by Rory Phelan just drifted past the post.
The visitors were on the attack entering the last minute but surrendered possession and Rock quickly were attacking at the other end, winning a free
kick on the edge of the box that resulted in a corner, which Glenmuir managed to scramble out of their 18 yard box.
McDonnell in space on the left picked it up and his shot arcing from left to right gave Hayes absolutely no chance as it flew into the far top corner of then.
Rock were elated and Glenmuir deflated as they had done more than enough to win only to let it slip with just about time to tip-off when referee Stephen Donnan blew the full time whistle.
Glenmuir’s Rilwan Abrahim broke the deadlock when he capitalised on a mistake by a Rock defender whose attempted clearance he blocked in the penalty box and his shot then was deflected into the home net with over 20 minutes elapsed.
The Rock defence was unhinged again a few minutes later when Abdul Abubakar broke free down the right wing and his low cross eluded a number of Rock defenders to leave Kapingo all alone in front of goal and he fired home from ten yards.
Both sides face an anxious time over whether they will lose players to the Cavan Monaghan combination competing in the League of Ireland which could impinge on their respective title prospects. A number from each side have made it into the extended squad which will be reduced into the final one. ROCK: Tom McDonough, Liam McDonnell, Luke Hoban, Mark Hanna, Conor Soraghan, Liam O’Callaghan, Peter McStravick, Neil Smyth, Conor Neary, Tom Jackson, Kizito Ekwueme, Oisin Meegan, Rory Staunton, Aidan Curtin, Rioghan Murphy, Dylan Johnson.
GLENMUIR: David Hayes, Tolani Animasahua, Ifi Kwelele, Jamie Doherty, Daniel Mullen, Ben Kapingo, Cian O’Donoghue, Abdul Abubakar, Rory Phelan, Rilwan. Abrahim, Jack O’Connor, Aaron Fee.