Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
ANSWERING THE CALL
Jimmy stands tall once again to stun Crues
LINFIELD mugged Crusaders at Seaview last night to stretch their lead at the top of the table thanks to Jimmy Callacher’s injury-time winner.
The home side had the best of the opening half hour and could have taken the lead when Jarlath O’Rourke’s cross found Declan Caddell but the midfielder was unable to guide his header on target from 12 yards out.
The Crues kept pushing for the opener as half-time approached, with Jordan Forsythe bursting forward from midfield to control a Billy Joe Burns cross on his chest only for Callacher to intervene when Forsythe looked certain to score.
Blues keeper Chris Johns pulled off a wonderful reaction save after half-time when Chris Hegarty slammed a volley towards goal from 10 yards out, the Blues keeper throwing up a hand to deflect the ball over. Crusaders were frustrated again when Caddell nodded the ball down to Philip Lowry, who fired in a goal-bound shot from 12 yards out but Kyle McClean came to Linfield’s rescue with an heroic clearance off the line.
The champions then made Crusaders for failing to make the most of their chances in the 71st minute.
The swirling wind played a part but Tuffey was left embarrassed as Niall Quinn’s inswinging corner from the right sailed right over the keeper’s head and into the net off the far post.
Gritty Crues dug deep and they scrambled an equaliser from a corner of their own as Lowry helped to bundle the ball home at the front post. But as the game
DIARMUID O’CARROLL has stepped down as Northern Ireland U19 and U17 manager just 24 hours after taking up the post.
In a sensational development the Irish FA stated that O’Carroll had looked to be heading for a draw, Joel Cooper stood a brilliant cross up to Callacher who headed in yet another massive goal for the champions.
In the earlier games, dropped more points at home after drawing 1-1 with
Daniel Byrne’s header levelling it up after Johnny McMurray gave the hosts an early lead.
also drew 1-1 at home as Adam Salley lashed in an equaliser six minutes after Stewart Nixon had given the hosts a 67 th minute lead.
Salley was then shown a straight red card for a late lunge on Lyndon Kane in the closing stages.
In Lurgan,
beat 2-1 thanks to a Conor McCloskey goal and Michael O’Connor penalty in the first half. Josh Kelly scored an injury-time consolation for the visitors. left with a 2-0 win, with Mark Surgenor and Jordan Gibson doing the damage. vacated the role due to an “administrative error”.
In a statement O’Carroll (left) said: “When finalising my contract with the Irish FA, I realised an administrative error on my behalf in my application process which was brought to my attention by the
Irish FA. I’m devastated but I wish the Irish FA and the lucky person who takes the role all the very best.”
It is understood former Cliftonville boss Gerard Lyttle and experienced English coach John Schofield were also interviewed for the post.