UNDER 16 BOYS LEAGUE FINAL: STRAND CELTIC 3 MANOR RANGERS 1
Showgrounds
Our under 16s recorded a superb victory over a strong Manorhamilton Rangers side in the under 16 league final at the Showgrounds last night. This was a marvellous achievement for manager Michael McDonagh and his side and a deserved reward for a great season.
Well done to all the management team and players.
Strand Celtic dominated from the outset and created their first chance after nine minutes. ‘Player of the Match’ Niall Colleary cut in from the right only to see his shot saved by the Manor Rangers goalkeeper, Patrick Clancy.
They had an even better chance to take the lead in the 20th minute. Adam Hynes flicked the ball into Shane Gray who was denied by a great reaction stop from Clancy. The ball came back out to Gray but once again Clancy came to his side’s rescue.
Two minutes later the winners went close again. Niall Murphy was set up by Anthony Kelly and his left-foot drive beat Clancy but went wide of the post.
Manor Rangers were being put under such heavy pressure that it came as no surprise when Strand Celtic took the lead in the 28th minute.
Colleary crossed from the right and no-one picked up Conor Doherty who drifted in from the left into the penalty area to head the ball over Clancy – and into the net.
Manor Rangers showed the fighting spirit that saw them come from behind to beat Castlebar Celtic in the recent Connacht Boys U16 Shield Final as they started the second-half strongly and equalised in the 46th minute. Gerard Kelly played the ball into the centre and Jason McLoughlin’s acrobatic effort had enough on it to take the ball past Strand Celtic goalkeeper Vinny Cadden.
Seven minutes later Strand Celtic retook the lead with a well-worked goal. Andre Gorman took a throw-in on the right deep inside the Manor Rangers half. He picked out Colleary who worked the ball across into the penalty area where it was taken down by Doherty who shot home his second goal of the game. The winners doubled their lead in the 58th minute. Graham Kelly playing the ball into Shane Gray and he finished well from just inside the penalty area.
Manor Rangers nearly produced a grandstand finish as they should have scored a second in the 71st minute. David Brick played the ball out to the right to Gerard Kelly who whipped it across the face of goal where it was just missed by goalscorer Jason McLoughlin.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Niall Colleary
STRAND CELTIC: Vinny Cadden, Andre Gorman, Niall Murphy, Conor McDonagh, Paul Devins, Anthony Kelly (Charlie Cooper 60), Niall Colleary, Graham Kelly, Adam Hynes, Shane Gray (Mark Gethins 76), Conor Doherty
Subs not used: Gary Cadden, Scott White, Stephen Cawley, Chris Jarpling
MANOR RANGERS: Patrick Clancy, Dylan McWilliams, Gabriel McSharry, Seamus McNama, Mark McGourty (Shane Clancy 76), David Brick (Caolan McDermott 71), Gerard Kelly, Michael Ferguson (Jason McLoughlin 40), Stephen McManus (Ronan Flynn 59), David Skimmin (Nevin O’Donnell 31), Colm O’Reilly
Subs not used: David Clancy, Cathal Cullen, Gerard McMorrow, Ryan Farry
Referee: Alan Blanc
Match report courtesy of the Sligo Weekender