Strand show Boyle who’s boss
STRAND Celtic once again sent shock waves through The Great Southern Hotel Sligo, Super League with a demolition job on current league champions Boyle Celtic. The game played at the Institute of Technology Sligo on Friday night was certainly a learning curve for Boyle Celtic. Strand Celtic showed on their day that they are a match for anyone, this was proven emphatically on the 8th of January when they inflicted a major blow to Carbury FC beating them by five goals to one. Boyle Celtic’s only league defeat this season prior to Friday night was a one nil loss to Carbury way back on the 25th September. Since then it’s been a roller coaster for them with a place in the quarter finals of the FAI Junior Cup next Sunday. But history counts for little and Strand are no respectors of titles as they took the lead twice with goals from Barry O’Mahony and Mark McCallion but were quickly pegged back with Niall Brennan and Luka Roddy on target for Boyle Celtic. Strand Celtic took the lead again early in second half with Mark McGoldrick netting his second goal and Strand had a number of excellent chances to extend the lead but on sixty two minutes Boyle killed any chance of a revival when referee Glen Gilmartin who had an excellent game gave Sean Purcell his marching orders for dangerous play after a foul on Strand’s Damien Scanlon. Dessie Carlos then decided to have his say and his outburst resulted in another red card that effectively ended the game for Boyle but not for Strand. Daniel Lang and Ryan McManus hit a goal each to wrap up a superb performance from Strand Celtic. Boyle Celtic Manager Darren Hurd now has to get his players back on track for next Sunday. Merville United bottom of The Andrew Mullen Sligo Pallets Premier ended any aspirations Carrick Town may have held of title honours with a superb display at the Astro Cleveragh. Youth international Jordon Muldoon opening the scoring on twenty minutes when he finished off a very classy bit of inter play. The second half was twenty- five minutes old when Conor Cox added the second and seven minutes from time Graham Irwin added the third that secured all three points for Merville United who are back on form.
In the T P Brennan Connacht Cup, Manor Rangers advance in style defeating the highly- fancied Westport United by five goals to two. Manor were two up after twenty- five minutes courtesy of a double strike from Niall Walshe. Westport fought back and scored from two set pieces with a goal each from Danny Scahill and P J Galvey to leave the sides level at half time. Manor Rangers grabbed the all- important third goal courtesy of Brian McDonald, Paddy Woulfe then added the fourth and Niall Walshe completed his hat trick to fire the Leitrim Kingpins into the next round.
Ballymote Celtic played Calry Bohs at Brother Walfrid Park and booked a place in the next round courtesy of a Jack Hever hat- trick and a goal apiece from Matthew Drew and Adam Cunnane. Ciaran Stenson netted the only goal for Calry Bohs.
Aughanagh Celtic at home to Ballaghaderreen FC were scoreless at the break but they struck early in the second half. Paul Mc Tiernan put over a pin point cross and Conor McPadden cracked home the opener for Aughanagh. Minutes from time Stephen Scanlon wrapped it up with a splendid second goal. Carbury advance thanks to Colin Jinks scoring the only goal of the game ten minutes from time away to a very strong Cloonfad United.
Ballisodare United advance scoring opened after seven minutes when Keith Gilmartin split the defence and the in running Adam McGoldrick sized up the defender, turned into his favourite left foot and drilled a low hard shot beneath the Colemanstown keepers grasp.
It was nip and tuck for the next thirty minutes with Ballisodare keeper Jack Mannion saving well with his feet. Colemanstown got back into the game when they were awarded a penalty on the 37th minute, which was converted by midfielder Paddy Mullins.
Two minutes later Colemanstown took the lead when Kevin Reilly rose highest at the back post to nod in a floated cross. Ballisodare full back Niall Howley buried a free kick on the 45th minute but referee Tommy Oates pulled it back to be retaken. The retake hit the wall, 2- 1 Colemanstown at half time. Ballisodare drew level 5 minutes into the second half. Gary Anderson slotted Adam McGoldrick through a pass and he took on the shot early, delightfully chipping the Colemanstown keeper from 25 yards out. Both teams cancelled each other out and chances were at a minimum for the next 30 minutes. Simon Gilmartin scuffing a half chance with 5 minutes left and Jack Mannion making a fine save on the 87th minute. As the game headed towards extra time Ballisodare stalwart Kevin O’Hara pounced on loose ball in the Galway side’s box to lash home the winning goal in the 90th minute. 3- 2 to Ballisodare who advance to the last 16. In the T P Brennan Connacht Shield Ballygawley Celtic made the long trip to Moyne Villa a rewarding one winning by the odd goal in five. This was a hard- fought win away to the current shield holders Moyne Villa. After going a goal behind on the twenty- minute mark, when Moyne Villa were awarded a penalty. On a sticky pitch Ballygawley eventually got to grips with the conditions and equalised on the stroke of halftime through Peter Murray. In the second half Ballygawley began to get the upper hand and increased their lead again on sixty minutes with Peter Murray finding the net after a lovely passage of play. Murray competed his hat- trick on seventy- five minutes when Paul Flanagan played him in and he finished low to the net. Moyne Villa got a late goal on the stroke of full time to leave the final score 3: 2 in favour of the Sligo men. Stephen Hallahan was the toast of MCR who scored all three goals to lead at half time away to Galway side West United B and they all came from the penalty spot. West United fought back in the second half both goals coming from Michael O’Toole one from the penalty spot but MCR advance.