Wexford People

Brilliant Bunclody

Visitors produce upset in U-12 Cup

- JASON GOODISON in Murrintown

VISITORS BUNCLODY produced an immense second-half performanc­e to stun Division 1 leaders Forth Celtic in the Wexford and District Schoolboys Under-12 Cup third round in Murrintown on Saturday.

The Division 2 side had seen out some first-half pressure before breaching the Forth defence three times in eight minutes at the beginning of the second period.

After Oisín O’Leary saw his early header saved by Celtic ’keeper Rory Roche, the home side grew into the tie, and with Chris Frawley controllin­g midfield they were unlucky not to break the deadlock.

Bobby Crosbie’s pace was beginning to show when a corner produced by the striker was volleyed goalwards by Killian Maher, only to be cleared by a mass of bodies on the Bunclody goal-line.

Frawley went close moments later before turning provider for Crosbie.

He had all the time in the world to pick his spot as he raced towards goalkeeper Jack Reck, however the Bunclody netminder stood tall and saved Crosbie’s strike with his legs.

There were signs just before the break that it wouldn’t be just backs to the wall stuff for Bunclody. O’Leary was finding more space and after some quick footwork cut a right-footed shot just outside the post.

It was the most basic of goals that gave the travelling side the lead just two minutes after the re-start. After the ball left Reck’s possession, the next touch was from the right foot of O’Leary as he stroked past Roche.

Tony Doyle really came into his own in the Bunclody midfield as the game progressed.

His quick regain and through ball sent O’Leary away to round the Celtic ’keeper and prod home for his second.

Doyle then delivered the killer blow himself, capitalisi­ng on a loose ball in the Forth Celtic defence before sending a deflected strike past Roche for the third breach in eight minutes.

There was little the shellshock­ed Celtic side could do to repair the damage, and in fact they could have conceded more. By this stage Doyle had truly taken ownership of the midfield battle and set Ryan Butler away to poke wide.

He was at the centre of things again in the 52nd minute when his marauding run was illegally halted by Forth defender Ciarán Doyle, only for his resulting spot kick to be well saved by Roche.

Dan McGrath and Charlie Quirke did see attempts at goal unsuccessf­ul for Forth as the clock began to run out on their cup experience for the season.

Their focus must shift back to the pursuit of the Division 1 title, while Bunclody must prepare for a quarter-final encounter against the winners of St. Leonards and Shelburne United.

Forth Celtic: Rory Roche; Sam McLaughlin, Charlie Quirke, Ciarán Doyle (capt.); Dan McGrath, Eoin McGrath, Eoin Dunne, Chris Frawley, Killian Maher; Bobby Crosbie.

Bunclody: Jack Reck; Des O’Connor (capt.), Lorcan Kinsella, Jake Nolan; Ryan Butler, Eamonn Murphy, Ciarán Scott, Tony Doyle; Oisín O’Leary. Subs. - Conor Doyle for Murphy (55), Oisín Finn for Butler (55).

Referee: Marc Kelly.

 ??  ?? The Forth Celtic boys who bowed out of the Under-12 Cup on Saturday.
The Forth Celtic boys who bowed out of the Under-12 Cup on Saturday.
 ??  ?? Bunclody produced a stirring second-half away from home to march on in the Under-12 Cup.
Bunclody produced a stirring second-half away from home to march on in the Under-12 Cup.
 ??  ?? Eoin Doyle of Forth Celtic tries to break away from Ciarán Scott.
Eoin Doyle of Forth Celtic tries to break away from Ciarán Scott.
 ??  ?? Bunclody’s Oisín O’Leary under pressure from two opponents.
Bunclody’s Oisín O’Leary under pressure from two opponents.
 ??  ?? Sam McLaughlin of Forth Celtic tries to block this clearance from Jake Nolan (Bunclody).
Sam McLaughlin of Forth Celtic tries to block this clearance from Jake Nolan (Bunclody).

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