Quay upset the champs
QUAY CELTIC 2 NAVAN COSMOS 1
QUAY were in danger of being dragged into the relegation dogfight after a recent run of poor results.
So this win was both timely and a fillip for the rest of the season for them while putting a dent into the champions prospects of retaining their title in midweek at Clancy Park.
It was a result to please Quay’s neighbours Muirhevnamor, increasing the pressure on Cosmos to win their games in hand to dislodge them at the top of the table.
This Wednesday’s meeting at Muirhevnamor between the leaders and the champions will be pivotal in the title race.
Quay’s priority was to secure the points and to rediscover the sort of form that put them in title contention at an earlier stage of the season, as their return to the top flight started very promisingly..
For this crucial encounter manager Simon Kelly had his charges extremely well organised, particularly in defence, and the champions struggled to prise open the home rearguard as the hosts put up a very solid performance.
The absence of regular goalkeeper John Rogers was barely missed, such was the protection afforded to Stephen Fisher who ably filled in for him between the home posts.
Colin Finan gave Quay the lead in the opening half when he took in a long ball and spun round and found the net with a right footed shot from 25 yards.
Cosmos drew level ten minutes into the second half when for about the only time in the game they pen- etrated the home defence to earn a spot kick which they duly converted.
However, their joy was short lived as Eanna McArdle restored Quay’s advantage almost straight away. Again the home side reaped a dividend from employing the direct route.
Striker Martin Smith cushioned down a long ball for the supporting McArdle to run onto and smashed a half volley from roughly the same distance as for his side’s first goal past the Cosmos goalkeeper.
Quay held tight from there until the final whistle as Cosmos failed to breakdown the strong home defence QUAY: Stephen Fisher, Sean Hand, Gary Shevlin, Stefan McKevitt, David Redmond, Andrew Duffy, Eanna McArdle, Johnny Winters, Niall McLaughlin, Colin Finan, Martin Smith. Subs used: Denis Cholach, Vinny Smith, Adam McKenna, Sean Matthews.