Bay edge seven goal thriller
BJD CELTIC BAY FC
THE longest away trip of the season for Bay was made worthwhile as they left Ballyjamesduff with all three points on a torrential afternoon on Sunday.
BDJ opened the scoring nearly straight off the bat. A quick free-kick caught the Bay defence napping and despite Brendan Nash’s best efforts to clear it, Ian Foy was left with a simple finish from ten yards.
The contest was an even one for most of the half. Damien Bailey came closest for Bay with a bullet like header that the goalkeeper palmed away and his follow-up volley cannoned off the crossbar.
Bay piled on a lot more pressure in the second half but it seemed like the goal was never going to come as Ryan Markey shot agonisingly wide when put through. Both Victor Galan and Ryan Dillon did likewise.
But Neven Novosel finally grabbed an equaliser, weaving his way past three defenders and slotted home from just inside the box.
Bay’s joy was short-lived as BJD struck back almost immediately when a headed clearance fell to Cormac O’Hannain who calmly stroked the ball home from six yards.
Bay again applied the pressure and seen numerous shots go just wide with Novosel also rattling the crossbar from a free-kick.
A free-kick from the same player led to Bay levelling again with Brendan Nash rising highest at the back post to score his third goal in two games and make it two all.
With ten minutes left, Kevin Scollon whipped a delightful ball into the box and Victor Gallan guided it home with his head to put the visitors in front.
Moments later Galan turned provider as he split the home defence with a through ball that left Ryan Dillon one on one and the striker made no mistake to notch his fifth goal of the season.
BJD were awarded a penalty in injury time which Cormac O’Hannain dispatched to reduce the deficit but it was too late to alter the outcome.
BAY: Kevin Mullen, Kevin Scollon, Paddy Kehoe, Robbie Rafferty, Brendan Nash, Ryan Markey, Dino Stimac (Aaron Kelly 60) Jadran Stimac, (Damien Bailey 20), Neven Novosel, Ryan Dillon, Victor Galan. THE champions made a wining start to the defence of their title, playing well within themselves to account on Friday night for a Kingscourt side that was given a reprieve after being relegated last season.
Tiernan Mulvenna capitalised on an error by the Kingscourt goalkeeper who spilled a shot to put Muirhevnamor ahead after 15 minutes.
Mickey O’Kane made it two nil on the stroke of half-time when the visitors struggled to clear a corner and the versatile home player headed home when the ball was returned into the box.
After that the champions were just content to hold onto their lead, and their task was made easier with a Kingscourt player sent -off after receiving a second yellow card, and the visitors had to play out the final 20 minutes with ten men.
As it transpired neither side really threatened to score in the second period with little goalmouth action, and few occasions when the goalkeepers were tested.
MUIRHEVNAMOR: David Cooney, Stephen Smith (Craig Dixon), Philip Duffy, Jimmy Cooney, Paul Mallon (Conall Mulvenna), Gary Clarke, Thomas McShane, Mickey O’Kane (Chris Caulfield), Brendan Hughes (Wayne Robinson), Paudie Hearty (Sean Conlon), Tiernan Mulvenna.