Killarney Celtic Under 17s pushed all the way by Iveragh United

DENNY UNDER 17 LEAGUE

Killarney Celtic 4 Iveragh United 3

KILLARNEY Celtic had to work hard to etch out a narrow win over a spirited Iveragh United side. Erin Moloney, Callum O’Grady, Callum O’Donoghue and Joe Kelliher scored for the winners while Cathal O’Shea (2) and Seamus Curran scored for Iveragh United.

MAINEBANK extended their lead at the top of the table to five points after a hard earned win over Kilmoyley Athletic at the KDL on Thursday night.

The first half of this game was a really mediocre affair virtually devoid of scoring opportunities with neither side able to get their act together in the final third of the pitch. Mainebank were using the ball better than their opponents passing fluently at midfield, while up front James Long and Brendan Delaney were a constant threat.

They were shading it at midfield with Eoghan O’Connor and Seán Foley featuring prominently while James McCarthy and Joseph McElligott were the main play makers for Kilmoyley in the middle of the pitch.

Kilmoyley’s striker Jordan Brick was coming back to midfield to try and gain possession as he was ploughing a lonely furrow up front finding it difficult to gain possession as he was lacking the type of ball supply he craved.

Neither goalie had too much to do in the opening 45 minutes with just a couple of shots on target. Kilmoyley had an early chance when they got a free kick just outside the box and while Jordan Brick hit the target his shot did not have sufficient power to bother the Mainebank goalie Stephen Cahillane who made a comfortable save.

Then Mainebank put a good attack together with Tommy Buckley playing in Ronan Sayers but he was unable to find the target. Coming up to half time a foul on Tommy Buckley gave Mainebank a free in a good position. It was struck well by James Long, but was just outside the right hand post.

The second half got off to a blistering pace and Mainebank went ahead in the 47th minute when a Brendan Delaney effort on goals was blocked out to the inrushing Tommy Buckley and he gave the Kilmoyley keeper no chance from 12 yards.

Now Mainebank began to dominate the game and were applying pressure on a regular basis while Kilmoyley defended well and looked dangerous on the counter attack. However, they were caught ball watching in the 58th minute after a Mainebank throw in and veteran James Long took full advantage and found the net via the butt of the left hand post.

Mainebank had a very strong bench and they began to use them to good effect as the second half wore on. As the half progressed they seemed to be on route for a comfortable win but that all changed in the 75th minute when

Kilmoyley hit on the counter attack and Joseph McElligott found the net from close range.

Kilmoyley kept the pressure on in pursuit of an equaliser and while they forced a few corners and free kicks they were unable to penetrate a rock solid Mainebank defence where Cian Flynn, Paddy Daly and Daniel Ashe were particularly impressive.

Mainebank put the game to bed late on when a foul on sub Paud Brosnan produced a penalty kick. Brendan Delaney was as cool as a cucumber from 12 yards rolling the ball low into the right bottom corner of the net.

This was a good team performance by the winners but they still have a fight in their hands to secure a place in the league final. At present they are on 29 points, five points ahead of second placed Mastergeeha on 24 points but Mastergeeha have three games in hand.

Rattoo Rovers B are one of the dark horses in the title race and they are on 23 points and have two games in hand over the league leaders. Mainebank have only two games left to play while Mastergeeha have five and Rattoo have four.

Other teams in the division are out of the title race so it is a three horse race and be expecting a few more twists and turns before the league finalists are known.

MAINEBANK: Stephen Cahillane, Cian Flynn, Paddy Daly, Daniel Ashe, Paudie O’Sullivan, Tommy Buckley, Sean Foley, Eoghan O’Connor, James Long, Brendan Delaney, Ronan Sayers. Subs: Martin Foley, Paud Brosnan, Dan Lawlor, Sean Sheehan, Cillian Dowd, Eoin O’Neill

KILMOYLEY ATHLETIC: Paudie Godley, John Godley, Dougie Fitzelle, Florance McCarthy, Sean Maunsell, James McCarthy, Joseph McElligott, James Godley, Robert Collins, John B O’Halloran, Jordan Brick Subs: Liam Flaherty and Daire Nolan

REFEREE: Kevin Cunningham