Last-gasp Bellurgan progress in Cup
NORTH EAST FOOTBALL LEAGUE
CUP specialists Bellurgan surrendered a two nil lead in the last 20 minutes but still came out on top to stay on course for yet another appearance in the Tully bookmakers final.
They have contested the last four finals and with only one win would like to improve on that record, but they were just thankful to overcome this very tough hurdle on Sunday in Ardee against opponents who are unbeaten in division 1 and on course to join the top tier for the new changed season in the spring.
Bellurgan scored two excellent goals to be in a strong position after an hour in a tie that yielded few scoring opportunities. Sean Maguire volleyed home after a fine move on 20 minutes. A long diagonal pass by Sean Matthews found Shane O’Brien who worked a one two with Ciaran Sheelan to provide Maguire with the opening to score from eight yards.
Maguire turned provider then with O’Brien once again involved in the move that resulted in Sheelan doubling their advantage. Stephen Finnegan fed O’Brien on the right and the latter found Maguire on the edge of the box who laid it back for Sheelan to whip a shot into the home net.
Square reduced the deficit following a corner kick with 15 minutes left.
Then a disputed penalty al-
lowed the home side to draw level with less than 10 minutes remaining.
However, Alan O’Connor who had conceded the spot kick made amends by heading the winning goal from a corner kick three minutes from time.
SQUARE: Evan Farrell, Paudy Clarke, Eamonn Callaghan, Fergal Diamond, Stefan
Halpenny, James Clarke (Donal Rahill), Jonny Sheridan (Robbie Leavy), Barry McCoy, Kian Moran (Trevor Matthews), Eddie Burke (Mark Quinn) (Killian Murray), Aaron Kerley
BELLURGAN: Robert Arthur, Mark Murphy, Owen Traynor, Alan O’Connor, Sean Matthews, Stephen Finnegan, Sean Maguire, Tadgh O’Connor, Shane O’Brien, Simon O’Shaughnessy (Cian McDonald), Ciaran Sheelan.