Boyle come so close in epic battle
BOYLE Celtic took on Kilkenny side Evergreen FC in the FAI Junior Cup Semi Final at the Showgrounds in a thrilling encounter on Sunday afternoon.
The crowd of over two thousand were treated to a fantastic game of football with both sides in attacking mode. Boyle Celtic took the lead ten minutes from the break, Dessie Carlos chased after the ball into the Evergreen penalty area. Goal keeper Patrick Holden tried to play the ball and was tackled by Carlos, in his attempt to clear the ball he took Carlos down.
Referee Paul Duddy immediately pointed to the spot. Man of the Match Danny Browne stepped up and fired the ball low into the righthand corner of the Evergreen net and it was game on. Boyle were magnificent in the first half Kyle Suffin in fine form in the goals with fullbacks Dessie Carlos and Gerry McDermottroe attacking at will while the central pairing of John Connolly and
Skipper Loughlainn Conboy were rock solid. Sean Purcell and Shane Battles were dominant while front runners Niall Brennan and Luka Roddy linked superbly with Mick Corrigan. Evergreen’s backline of Tom Earls, Robbie Quane, Captain Neil Andrews and Dylan Whearty were working overtime as Boyle Celtic continued to dominate the game.
The second half saw more of the same with Boyle Celtic having the edge but Evergreen digging deep and keeping the pressure on.
Evergreen’s Brian Jordan got booked on sixty minutes for a cynical foul on Danny Browne but on sixty- five minutes the game changed.
A long throw in from the righthand side saw the ball dance about in the penalty area and Michael Drennan pounced to fire home from six yards to level the scores. Despite this Boyle Celtic still shaded affairs but were just unable to unlock the Evergreen defence. Extra time came and went and the game was eventually decided on the dreaded penalty shoot- out.
Boyle had previously won two of their games in this competition in this situation but Sunday unfortunately was not to be their third. One can use all the old clichés but this was a game Boyle Celtic left behind they were the better team on the day but just lacked that killer goal. However even in defeat they were magnificent and their supporters were superb Boyle Celtic owe it to themselves to go now and win Silverware this season which they will and no one deserves it more.
Evergreen will know they were lucky but every side needs that they will have to up their game and fitness levels for the 13th May at the Aviva if they are to threaten Sheriff FC.
Leitrim Kingpins Manor Rangers stay second in The Great Southern Hotel Sligo Super League winning by five goals to one away to Ballisodare United. Adam Mc Goldrick put Ballisodare a goal up.
Brian McDonald equalised for Manor after thirty minutes. Only one team came out in the second half. Seamus Ryder put Manor ahead after fifty- six minutes. Then Colm Callinan scored before Paddy Woulfe got two late goals for Manor.
St John’s took the lead against Carbury courtesy of Keith Lynch and held out until five minutes into the second half when Dylan Edward’s levelled matters.
Carbury scored two late goals one from David Adams and Dylan Edwards added hid third to secure the points for Carbury.
MCR take over leadership of the Andrew Mullen Sligo Pallets Premier League with a fine wine away to Merville United.
Ryan Hargadon and Graham Irwin each scored for Merville with Ciaran Harvey and Stephen Hallahan from the penalty spot netting for Merville to leave the sides level at the interval.
The second saw MCR with a goal each from Wayne Conway and the second for Ciaran Harvey snatch all three points.
Arrow Harps welcomed North Sligo High Flyers Cliffoney Celtic to Riverstown both sides level at the break.
Darragh Hailstones opened the account for Arrow Harps on sixty- five minutes.
Gary O’Connor levelled the game ten minutes from time. But with the clock ticking down a sweeping move by Harps was finished to the net by Liam Touhy to captured all three points for the Riverstown Boys.
Real Tubber lead in the Cleary Landscapes & Pitch Maintenance Division One with a hard- fought victory single goal victory over Coolaney United at the Astro Cleveragh.
Martin Mulvaney got his marching orders from referee Colm Gunning on thirty minutes that left Real Tubber a man down despite this they held on and took the lead twenty- five minutes from time with an excellent goal from Fabio Cretaro that wrapped up three vital points for Real Tubber.
Gurteen Celtic in second spot hit a high five at home to Benbulben FC. Michael Doddy, Fiachra Gorman Colin Mc Gill and a double from James O’Hara ensured all three points for a rampant Gurteen Celtic. Johnny Herron scored the only goal for Benbulben in a hardfought game.