Glenmuir bask in the sunshine
GLENMUIR UTD QUAY CELTIC
THERE was a throwback to summer with the blinding sun making it difficult to see the play at a stage at Oriel Park on Saturday during this under-17 league play-off.
It was Glenmuir who basked in the sunshine as Quay who were in line to carry off a triple triumph a few weeks back suffered a second crushing disappointment at the venue.
Saint Dominic’s beat them on penalties after extra-time to lose the cup final and now this loss in the league decider in which it was never going to be easy to succeed with the sides so evenly matched over the season.
However, at least their valiant efforts over the season yielded one trophy- the League Cup.
They laid the groundwork for victory in this game with a brilliantly taken goal after 12 minutes when Liam Murphy in the middle of the Glenmuir box struck a sumptuous volley low to the net from a cross on the left.
Scoring openings were scarce, with Victor Ihemeje who was to play a very influential role in his side’s glorious comeback having his side’s best opportunity.
He latched onto a flick on but under pressure from a defender his shot from the edge of the box flew at Quay goalkeeper Con O’Donoghue.
Two Quay players were afforded a free header just before the break after Oisin McCumiskey’s persistent run down the left won a corner , but couldn’t make it count..
Glenmuir re-emerged after
RESULTS
Final Ardee Celtic 1 Blayney Accad 2
Glenmuir Utd 2 Quay Celtic 1 FIXTURES 2 1
the break in a very determined mood and the ball rebounded into Ihemeje’s path in open space on the edge of the Quay box only to shoot wide.
Then the pendulum swung suddenly as Glenmuir swept up field from a Quay corner kick and a strong run and curling low pass by Liam McStravick in behind the Quay defence from over the half way line invited Ihemeje to run onto. He used his physique to hold off a pursuing defender and from inside the penalty box tucked a low shot past O’Donoghue.
There was only six minutes elapsed , and a few minutes later Ihemeje could have put his side ahead, as the Quay central defence started to wobble. He collected a ball over the top but with a free sight on goal he pulled his finishing effort from just inside the penalty box across the goal and wide.
Taylor Murphy picked the ball up outside the Glenmuir 18 yard box and veered across the field to make space to shoot but his effort rose over the crossbar.
The decisive goal arrived nearly midway through the second half when a long freekick was met in the air by central defender Thomas Lacile who nodded it across the penalty box. It fell to his teammate Benos Luko who, while challenged managed to get a shot away and it squirmed somehow into the Quay net.
Quay’s task of redeeming the game was made very difficult when the talented Oisin McCumiskey lashed out in frustration and connected with a fleeing opponent near the side-line, and received an instant red card with 15 minutes left..
They pushed left back Sean Cunningham into mid-field and he led a terrific three man move which he initiated inside his own half and was on the end of to draw a victory clinching save low inside his post by goalkeeper Eddie Maguire.
GLENMUIR: Eddie Maguire, Jake Cunningham, Dommion Omohlimi, Benas Luko, Thomas Lacile, Robbie Duffy, Sid Banda, Liam McStravick, Victor Ihemeje, Mark Agnew, Kyle Watters, Andy Cummins, Paddy O’Rourke, Kyle Connolly, Enoch Ulanga.
QUAY: Leo Carroll ( Con O’Donoghue), Dylan Cahill, Sean Cunningham, Sean McArdle, Michael Staunton, Peter Duffy, Jamie Murphy, Oisin McCumiskey, Taylor Murphy, Joe Gorman, Liam Murphy, Brian Alazes, Ciabhan Dignam, Danny Byrne, Josey Burke, Kristaphs Lepins, Adam Dowling.
Picture: Ken Finegan/Newspics
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