U-15s’ shootout heartbreak

ARDEE CELTIC 1 BLAYNEY ACAD 1

BLAYNEY Academy edged a thrilling penalty shootout 10-9 to complete the Under-15 league and cup double and ensure heartbreak for Ardee Celtic at Bellew Park on Saturday.

Keeper Conor Mulligan proved to be the hero when he saved the 19th penalty kick and then scored the 20th to win the cup for the Monaghan side.

It was tough for Ardee who performed admirably throughout the game, but this capped off a magnificent season for the Blayney team who also reached the quarter-final of the SFAI National Cup.

Blayney went in front in the eighth minute when Declan Courtney’s accurate corner kick was powerfully headed home by the impressive Dara McCann and they almost extended their lead on 19 minutes when a flying header by Cian McDonald flew inches wide of the post.

Ardee hit back with an equaliser approaching the half-hour mark when Michal Szostakowski latched onto a Paraic McKenny cross and slotted home.

Blayney did have more of the possession after the break and always looked dangerous from set pieces, but Ardee defended in numbers to send the game into extra time, with Adam Elmaado, Shane Carpenter and Brian Callaghan prominent.

The extra time did go a bit flat, but the players could be forgiven as nobody wanted to be the one to cause the mistake and lose the game.

That said, Shane Halpenny made a magnificent save in the first period and Ardee almost snatched victory in the last minute when Michal Szostakowski was denied by a brilliant lastditch tackle.