Ballymac move into contention with win over Asdee

CHARLEVILLE CHEESE DIVISION 2

Ballymac Celtic 3 Asdee Rovers 1

BALLYMAC Celtic are storming up the league table over the past few weeks and they took a major scalp at Mounthawk Park on Saturday evening with a great 3-1 win over title contenders Asdee Rovers.

They went ahead after 10 minutes when Dean O’Connell was taken down in the box and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

After brushing himself off O’Connell took the spot kick with Asdee goalie Owen Tydings getting hands to the ball, but O’Connell was following up the loose ball and he made no mistake from five yards.

Asdee fought back admirably and they brought the game back to parity just before half-time with a great strike by Peter McMahon. Ballymac made a few changes at half-time and they were performing more cohesively in the second half after these alterations.

After a period of sustained pressure and penetrating counter attacks they went ahead again with the excellent Mikey Kelliher receiving the ball on the verge of the box and he found the top corner of the net with a sublime finish.

Asdee began to dominate the game after this and went out in search of an equaliser but the Ballymac defence were up for the challenge defending brilliantly and were prepared to put their bodies on the line to get in the tackles that were required to keep them at bay.

The Shannonsiders had a great chance to level the game, but they were denied by a brilliant save by the Ballymac goalie Cian Ring.

As Asdee pushed for a goal Ballymac hit on the counter-attack and an excellent assist by sub Dara Regan set up Dónal Daly and he sprinted clear of defenders and picked his spot from close range.

This was a fantastic result for Ballymac where every player turned in a great shift with Christy Leen and Jack Myers particularly good at the back.

This win brings them closer to the main title contenders and if the sides at the top go through a lean patch at any stage Ballymac might have an outside chance to make it to the league decider.

The team were delighted to see manager Adam Condon back again on the sideline and he must have been delighted of his team’s performance.

For Asdee this defeat hurt their title aspirations and the only small bit of good news for them was that table toppers Iveragh United were held to a draw in their game.

BALLYMAC CELTIC: Cian Ring, Ronan Dalton, Jack Myers, Christy Leen, Mark Brick, Dónal Daly, Mike Herlihy, Mikey Kelliher, Dean O’Connell, Shane Kelliher, Jamie Leen Subs: Dara Regan, Shane McGillicuddy, Denis Quille, Adam Wharton