Feature Game

(By Jamie Connolly)

Connolly Under 20 Shield (Preliminary round)

Ballycane Celtic FC 1 Rathangan AFC 2

In a gritty display of endurance and clinical finishing, Rathangan FC secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ballycane Celtic to advance to the quarter final of the Connolly Under 20 Shield. Despite traveling with the bare minimum of 11 players and contending with gale-force winds, the visitors showed immense character to snatch a late winner in what was a tactical battle of attrition.

The game began with both squads stretched thin.  The opening exchanges were defined by a swirling wind that played havoc with any attempt at long-range passing. Ballycane looked dangerous early on through the set-piece delivery of Harry Jones, whose second-minute corner struck the crossbar.  Rathangan responded through an Oisin Dempsey free kick, but the ball settled safely in the arms of Ballycane keeper Ryan Nolan.

As the half progressed, Rathangan began to find their rhythm. Darragh Gilligan proved a constant threat down the left wing, delivering a pinpoint cross for Dempsey, whose header was brilliantly denied by Nolan.  Despite further chances for Rathangan’s Timas Kacinskas and Ballycane’s Talen Kelly, the sides went into the break deadlocked at 0-0.

The intensity shifted immediately after the restart. Just a minute into the second half, John Dunne unleashed a goal-bound rocket toward the top corner, only for Ryan Nolan to produce a spectacular fingertip save to keep the scores level. The woodwork was rattled again shortly after when a Jack Shanahan Harris cross caught a gust of wind, clipping the bar.  Ballycane remained dangerous on the counter, with Lewis Knox and Cameron Norton testing the Rathangan resolve, but the breakthrough finally arrived in the 78th minute.  A sliced effort from Dempsey fell perfectly into the path of Timas Kacinskas, who made no mistake in slotting the visitors ahead.

The lead was short-lived, however. Just two minutes later, Ballycane responded when a cross was flicked on by Norton and met by Lewis Knox, who headed home to equalize and set up a grandstand finish. With the game hanging in the balance and fatigue setting in for the 11 men of Rathangan, they found one final burst of energy.  In the 86th minute, Rory Burke played a clever ball down the line for Dempsey. Showing great composure, Dempsey cut the ball back into the box where Burke had continued his run, smashing the ball home from 10 yards to restore the lead. Rathangan held firm through the closing minutes to see out a 2-1 victory, an impressive feat given their lack of personnel.

Best for the winners were Man of the Match Darragh Cullen at center-back. John Dunne, Rory Burke, Darragh Gilligan, and Oisin Dempsey were also instrumental in the win. While Ballycane Keeper Ryan Nolan kept his side in the game with several elite saves. Lewis Knox, Tom Yandle, and Harry Jones also put in tireless shifts.

Additional Reports.

(By David Costigan)

Football Association of Ireland Junior Cup (Round 2)

Old Fort Celtic FC 3 Suncroft AFC 1

It was Old Fort who started the brightest and dictated the pace of play in the early exchanges. Chances were limited in the first half but it was Old Fort who had the better of them forcing the Suncroft keeper into some saves.

The second half was fairly even in the early exchanges with Suncroft playing direct football were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area. Up stepped the Suncroft player who managed to squeeze the ball through the Old Fort wall and into the bottom corner of Blands net to make it 1-0 on the 50th minute.

Old Fort reacted well and forced the Suncroft keeper into a number of saves in the few minutes following. Old Forts equalizer came in the 75th minute when Eoin Carroll got on the end of a Jonny Pukuta cross to power a header into the bottom corner leaving the Suncroft keeper no chance. Old Fort continued to press for a winner and got their second from a corner on the 85th minute, Liam Browne delivered an inch perfect cross which was met by Carroll, his headed effort was goal bound but Aaron Rafter nipped in and poked it beyond the Suncroft keeper.

As the clock wound down, Suncroft pressed for a winner but Old Fort won the ball back and countered with pace, Artiom Travkin broke the Suncroft offside trap and raced through one on one, his effort was half blocked by the Suncroft keeper but while it appeared to be heading for the net Scott Coyle dashed in to finish it off and make it 3-1 with 92 minutes on the clock. Best for Old Fort Today was Aaron Rafter, Liam Brown, Lee Carroll Talbot. Suncroft standouts were their Goalkeeper, Hartnett & Hipwell. Man of the match goes to Old Forts Eoin Carroll with a huge performance getting a goal and an assist helping his side cement their place in the 3rd round.

Football Association of Ireland Junior Cup (Round 2)

(By Trevor McLoughlin)

Willow park FC 2 Coill Dubh AFC 0

Coill Dubh left Athlone empty-handed after a frustrating afternoon that saw missed chances and “what might have been” moments ultimately define the game. On another day, the visitors could easily have come away with victory to book their place in round 3.

Coill Dubh started brightly and nearly took an early lead. A free kick from John McLoughlin found Conor Comiskey, whose goal-bound header was dramatically cleared off the line after he was left grounded following a collision with the goalkeeper. From the resulting corner, Ryan Grace headed just over the bar as the pressure continued.

The game was played at a frantic pace throughout the first half, with both sides battling tough conditions and a strong breeze. Coill Dubh continued to create opportunities, with Grace again going close after being put through on goal by impressive U18 debutant Jake Smullen. Grace rounded the keeper but, despite appearing to be clipped, stayed on his feet. His honesty went unrewarded as a Willow Park defender recovered to clear the danger.

Moments later, Coill Dubh were punished. A cross from Willow Park’s right-hand side was met by their number nine, who powered a header home to give the hosts a 1–0 lead.

Coill Dubh responded well and nearly equalised before the break. A slick passing move involving Comiskey, Jack O’Brien and Smullen released Grace once more, but the Willow Park goalkeeper produced an excellent save at his near post.

The visitors went into the interval trailing 1–0, and were dealt a further blow as Comiskey, who had picked up an early knock, was replaced by Dylan Hannon.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Coill Dubh dominating possession and creating chances but failing to convert. Smullen, alongside Lennon O’Shaughnessy, began to control the midfield, and the young debutant nearly made his mark when he surged into the box. Despite appearing to be brought down, he regained his footing but fired over the bar.

Further chances came and went. A superb pass from Jack O’Brien found McLoughlin on the right, and his dangerous cross was met by Cian McMahon, whose close-range volley was straight at the goalkeeper when it seemed easier to score As Coill Dubh pushed hard for a late equaliser which may have brought the tie to extra time, they were caught on the break in the closing minutes, with Willow Park adding a second goal to seal the result.

Full-Time: Willow Park 2–0 Coill Dubh

Despite the result, there were several standout performances for Coill Dubh. Lennon O’Shaughnessy, John McLoughlin, Mikie Behan and Jack O’Brien all impressed, while Jake Smullen delivered a man-of-the-match display on his senior competitive debut.