Nathan’s rocket fires Rock Celtic into the final

A spectacular goal struck by Nathan Todd from 35 yards that flew into the top corner of the net clinched Rock’s place in the final of the Under-15 Cup on Saturday at Clancy Park.

It was worthy of adorning any occasion and definitely a fitting way of deciding this tie which required extra-time to separate these perennial arch rivals.

Quay are poised to capture the league title and the double was very much on the cards when Jack McArdle broke the deadlock with less than 15 minutes left of a very delicately balanced game.

However, Jai Akhal, who was a tower of strength and inspirational in the heart of the Rock defence, drove on his side to equalise. It was the defender indeed who nabbed the critical goal six minutes from the end.

Augmenting his attack as the time was running out for his side, he remained in the Quay penalty box for a free-kick from far out on the left by Jesse Cumiskey.

As the high ball dropped he snapped up the opportunity to shoot low inside the post.

Rock were the better side in the firsthalf , but Quay squandered a few clear cut chances before Mark Leavy just before the break pulled his shot across the face of goal with the Quay goalkeeper at his mercy.

A brilliant acrobatic save by Rock ‘keeper Conor Maddy preserved the deadlock. He flipped over the crossbar Scott Hearty’s marvellously executed first time volley from the edge of the box

The Rock ‘keeper came to his side’s rescue twice more with saves at the foot of the post with in between Nathan Todd wasting the best opportunity of the match at the end of the best move involving two of his colleagues.

First Scott Hearty robbed the dawdling Daragh O’Grady and broke into the box for Maddy to get down to save his shot.

Then Todd surged through from near half way and clear into the penalty box, but with only Gartlan in goal standing in his way he sliced his shot badly wide.

That allowed McArdle to take on and beat Cumiskey for speed to enter the box, but Maddy managed to turn the ball away for a corner.

The kick into the centre of the crowded Rock goalmouth dropped down and McArdle swivelled and steered it into far corner of the net.

Maddy ensured the tie went into extra-time with another great save as Hearty broke away from his defence in the dying minutes.

In the additional time Rock were the more dangerous side, with striker Niall Leer twice on the end of great opportunities when alone inside the Quay box, but Gartlan proved equal to the task each time

However he was absolutely helpless to prevent Todd from booking Rock’s place in the decider.

QUAY: Ben Gartlan, Morgan Tobin, Chris Clarke, Evan Wynne, Michael Achums, Nathan Quinn, Conaill Savage, Ryan Coleman, Jack McArdle, Scott Hearty, Ciaran Walsh, Gustas Pupelis.

ROCK: Niall Brennan, Conor Maddy, Cian Sheridan, Joey O’Brien, Daragh O’Grady, Jai Akhal, Barra Duffy, Dillon Simpson, Nathan Todd, Mark Leavy, Sean Gartlan, Niall Brennan, Evan Durnin, Benji Dada, Niall Leer, Ed Finnegan. Jesse Cumiskey, Sebastian McGeough, Dylan Cronan.