Teen hero keeps Albion on course

SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD Conor McQuillan was the unlikely hero for Albion Rovers as they took another step towards the Division 2 title at Muirdeach’s Park on Sunday morning.

The Monasterboice side were missing four of their usual starting XI through suspension and injuries for this tough assignment against Hazel Lane United who are still very much in the mix for promotion themselves.

One of the absentees was top scorer Evan Corlett and that meant third-team player McQuillan got the nod to start in attack.

Albion opted to play against the strong wind in the first half and this played into their hands as they kept the ball on the deck and played to feet, while Hazel Lane opted to play the ball in behind the Albion back line and many of those hopeful hits rolled over the endline.

The first chance of the match fell to Albion on 20 minutes when Danny Starrs sent the ball narrowly wide of the target from 10 yards out.

Hazel Lane then had a glorious chance

ALBION ROVERS HAZEL LANE UNITED 1 0

on the half-hour mark when Marsella beat the offside trap, only to hit the bar from the edge of the area.

Having ridden their luck on that occasion, Albion took the lead on 40 minutes when Steo Martin chased down his own header into the corner, winning the ball off the Hazel Lane full-back before playing the ball back to Stephen Martin. He squared to the onrushing McQuillan who finished to the top corner from close to the penalty spot.

Just before half-time it was Albion’s turn to hit the crossbar as a Karl Harding shot came thundering back off the woodwork before Hazel Lane managed to clear the ball away for a corner.

Albion came out in the second half and felt they dominated proceedings, again limiting Hazel Lane to half-chances from distance thanks to the hard work of the back four - Harding, Mota, Goncalves and Walsh. The hosts felt they should have had a penalty when a Hazel Lane defender seemed to run into the back of Stephen Martin in the box, but referee Conor Byrne was unconvinced and quickly waving away Albion’s claims.

Midfield pair Starrs and Steo Martin worked tirelessly for the Albion cause, dominating the middle of the park for the entire match, and that proved crucial to the final outcome.

Manager Pat Mohan was delighted after the win, but stated that it’s a credit to all the teams in Division 2 that at this late stage of the season five teams can still gain automatic promotion.

Albion need three points from their last three games to confirm back-to-back promotions and four points to become the champions of the division.

Best on the day for the winners were Mota, Starrs, McQuillan and man of the match Steo Martin.

ALBION ROVERS: N McDonnell, K Harding, J Walsh, H Mota, H Goncalves, S Martin, S Kelly, D Starrs, D Kirwan, C McQuillan, S Martin. Subs: A Gartland, R Kinch, D Smith, S Doherty, J Tester, T Kavanagh. Bradys Cavan Div 4:

FRIDAY APRIL 20th, 8.0 Bradys Cavan Div 3:

SATURDAY APRIL 21st, 3.0 John Bagster Cup:

Reserve Cup Semi Final: Reilly Cup: Premier Res: A Res: B Res:

SUNDAY APRIL 22nd, 11.15

Tully Bookmakers Cup Quarter Finals:

O’Neill Shield Semi Final: Fitzsimons Cup: Bradys Cavan Prem Div: O’Neills Sports Div 1: Bradys Cavan Div 2: Bradys Cavan Div 4:

P Boyne Harps 16 Enfield Celtic 16 Kentstown Rovers 12 Ardee Celtic 15 Hazel Lane 14 Trim Town 15 Albion Rovers 16 Square Utd 15 Carrick Rovers 15 Electro Celtic 18 B Reserve

P Torro Utd 16 Bailieboro Celtic 15 Athboy Celtic 15 Donacarney Celtic 14 Robinstown 15 Virginia Celtic 14 Kilmessan 15 Park Summerhill 16 Omp Utd 16

W 12 12 8 9 8 5 6 6 3 1

W 14 11 10 7 5 5 4 3 2

D 1 1 3 1 0 0 0 1 3 2

D 1 1 1 2 1 3 2 1 2

L 3 3 1 5 6 10 10 8 9 15

L 1 3 4 5 9 6 9 12 12

F 46 45 36 44 43 32 39 43 23 12

F 70 41 33 33 17 18 25 10 14

A 24 25 21 27 31 49 65 47 43 31

A 21 20 22 28 37 24 50 30 29

Pts 37 36* 29* 28 24 18* 18 16* 12 5

Pts 40* 34 31 23 19* 18 11* 10 8