Bellurgan make short work of fancied Raheny
BELLURGAN continued their fine run with a surprisingly comfortable 2-0 win over their AUL premier division opponents to extend their winning sequence to four games and book a place in the next round of the FAI Junior Cup on Sunday at Flynn Park.
Raheny had only tasted defeat once and that was at the hands of the vaunted Sherriff, but Bellurgan with an increasingly strong panel were on top for most of this tie after an even enough opening 15 minutes.
They also have two big signings due to come on board, awaiting clearance to come through for former Everton recruit Ben McLaughlin and Gerry McSorley who has signed and will link up with the squad when he has finished his gaelic commitments.
They will add considerably to manager Wayne Conroy’s options, with McSorley a strong and speedy attacker, and McLaughlin capable of playing in most positions, not just as a full back for which he was signed by Everton.
Speedy and dangerous winger Declan Sharkey is also due to return after suspension which will make the Peninsula side very formidable and strong challengers for the North East title.
They would not have been flattered by a wider margin of victory in this game, gaining a stranglehold in the first half when they scored both their goals. The first arrived after 20 minutes and was the result of marvellous play.
Brian White, back after suspension, worked a one two in mid-field with his engine room partner Paddy Keenan. Keenan threaded the ball between the two Raheny centre halves to put in Ciaran Sheelan on the left. The striker whipped a fine cross to the back post where Daniel O’Connor took one touch before burying a shot in the net from ten yards.
The winners nearly successfully pulled off a replica move with John Smith this time providing the assist for O’Connor.
Then three minutes from the break they went two nil ahead when Aoghan McGuinness initiated a move from right back and exchanged passes with White to advance down the line and linked up with O’Connor who set up White to unleash a terrific shot. The Raheny goalkeeper managed to parry it but from a tight angle Ciaran Sheelan shot first time into the visitors net.
Shane Finnegan had a great chance to make it three nil when put through with only the goalkeeper to beat, but the latter made an excellent save.
The visitors’ only real scoring threat resulted from a corner kick in the second half which their centre-half met with his head, forcing a finger tip save by Robert Arthur to push the ball over the bar.
Paddy Keenan was very unlucky when his 30 yard pile driver hit the underside of the Raheny crossbar and the ball bounced into the ‘keeper’s hands, while sub Daniel McDonald also went close to scoring.
Bellurgan are again in knockout action in the Leinster Junior Cup this Sunday against Kilmore, who like Raheny compete in the AUL.
BELLURGAN: Robert Arthur, Aoghan McGuinness, Ray Finnegan, Daragh Lafferty, John Smith(Emmet Rogan 80), Paddy Keenan, Brian White, Shane Finnegan, Daniel O’Connor (Stephen Finnegan 75), Barry Carr (Owen Armstrong 75), Ciaran Sheelan(Daniel McDonald 80).