Feature Game

Feature game

Countrywide Forklift Training Division 1

Prosperous United AFC 2-3 Caragh Celtic FC

(By Jamie Connolly)

Caragh Celtic overcame local rivals Prosperous United by the odd goal in five following this entertaining Division one clash at Ballinafagh road. Visitors, Caragh were under severe pressure from the start with the home team owning the ball, The away side opened the scoring somewhat against the run of play in the ninth minute with Daithi Ivers pressing the keeper and getting the block in before smashing home to the home net. 

From the tip off Caragh pressured the defence again with Danny Brady this time getting the luck of a block on the keeper again two goals in two minutes.

Caragh then sat in a low block and defended for their lives with the back four of Gareth Byrne, Adam Delmer, Cathal Laffin and the excellent Conor Smyth leading the way coming back out of retirement. The home side were now piling on the pressure and after a series of corners got their deserved goal. Sean Scully finding Cian Byrne to fire home, leaving the score 2-1 to the visitors at half time. 

Caragh, giving it all in the first half stared to wilt and conceded an equaliser. Oisin Hammy, scoring in the 62nd minute to draw sides level. Visiting Manager, Alan Igoe looked to the line and brought in Mikey Coffey and he immediately made an impact, causing havoc for the Prosperous rearguard.  In one of his attacks he chased the ball down for a corner. From the resultant corner taking by Daiti Ivers Niall O Gorman rose highest to send the ball home in the sixty seventh minute. Caragh defended stoutly for the remainder of the game, gaining an important three points for the away side. Best for the winners were, defence of Gareth Byrne, Adam Delmer, Cathal Laffin and Conor Smith. 

Additional game.

Leinster Heat Pumps Senior Division.

Coill Dubh AFC 3 5 Old Fort Celtic FC

(By Trevor McLoughlin)

Visitors Old Fort opened the scoring early on with a well-taken penalty from Liam Óg Brown. They doubled their advantage before half-time when Aaron Rafter struck to make it 2–0 at the break. Despite the scoreline, Coill Dubh created plenty of chances in the first half but were unable to convert, though there were encouraging signs in their play.

The second half began with a huge missed opportunity for Coill Dubh, as they rattled the crossbar from close range. However, they soon found a breakthrough when promising youngster Jake Smullen pulled a goal back following excellent work from Aidan Gormley.

Smullen continued to impress, levelling the match with a moment of individual brilliance—beating two defenders before firing home a superb right-footed strike. With momentum on their side, Coill Dubh took the lead at 3–2 when Smullen completed his hat-trick after great play down the right wing by Conor Comiskey.

Old Fort responded well and restored parity after a mistake from the Coill Dubh goalkeeper following a kick-out. That setback proved costly, as Coill Dubh struggled to regain their rhythm and conceded two late goals to seal the result for Old Fort. Best for the home side were Aidan Gormley, Cillian Casey and man of the match Jake Smullen who scored the hat trick.