Celtic Bhoys sensational in cup upset of all time

25 May 2016

SIZZLING Celtic Bhoys surpassed all expectations when they produced one of the biggest cup upsets in years to lift the Toals Harry Clarke Cup on a wet and dank Friday night at Meadowvale.

Stephen Torney’s giant-killers had league statisticians delving into the record books as they became the first team from outside the league’s top flight to win the competition in their debut season.

Few could deny them that success. The Hoops started like a whirlwind and forced a reluctant Ballyvea side on to the back foot.

With just a minute gone Kerri Grant surged forward from midfield to link up with Chris Mulllan, but his shot was well saved by Steven Main.

Celtic made the breakthrough two minutes later with a goal of stunning simplicity from a corner kick routine. Grant fired the ball at pace into the six yard box and Jordan McAllister, who had lost his marker, met it full on to head past a motionless Main.

The Hoops certainly had the bit between their teeth and with six minutes gone Main saved from the dangerous Mullan, who was being fed the ball at every opportunity by Grant, McAllister and Jordan Curran, who patrolled the midfield area like a hungry rottweiler.

Ballyvea slowly started to settle and with eight minutes gone Nathan Curran saved from Mark Burden. Gary Haugh wasted a good opportunity from the resulting corner, but he scooped Timmy Johnston’s cross cross over the bar.

Three minutes later at the other end Mullan should have made it 2-0 when McAllister put the ball on a plate for him but he scuffed his shot and Main made a comfortable save.

Grant also had a free kick saved before Mullan dispossessed David McConnell and was left with only Mullan to beat, but Main was up to the challenge.

Ballyvea showed the odd glimpse of what they are capable of in the 25th minute when Curran was forced to save from David McConnell following another wicked corner from Hanna.

With 30 minutes gone Jordan McConnell and Graeme Gordon worked a nice overload down the right, but there was nobody at home to take advantage of Gordon’s cross. Three minutes later Burden drilled a free kick wide before the same player wasted another scoring opportunity.

As half-time approached Celtic hit Ballyvea on the break and sealed the deal with a second goal.

Grant made his way into the box where he was bundled over by Hanna and there was nobody cooler at Meadowvale than Grant when he beat Main all ends up from the penalty spot.

Ballyvea continued to push and probe at the start of the second half, but they never really hurt Celtic, although Jordan McConnell headed over in the 47th minute following a cross from Timmy Johnston.

With 63 minutes gone and Ballyvea still trying to dig themselves out of a hole, Philip McConnell headed a Johnston free kick over the bar when he really should have hit the target at least.

Celtic survived a hectic goalmouth scramble before the diligent Joe Murphy hacked the ball to safety.

Even so, Celtic remained a threat on the break and Main had to be alert to keep out efforts from Chris Perry and Mullan.

Ballyvea’s day was summed up in the 90th minute when Johnston’s corner was headed over by Burden when it would have been easier to score.

The final whistle was met by unbridled scenes of joy from the Celtic players and bench as the realisation that they were Harry Clarke Cup champions sunk in.

Celtic Bhoys: N Curran, J Murphy, C Laverty, P Kelly, M Rice, J Curran, J McAllister, S Baggley, C Mullan, K Grant, C Boyd. Subs: C Perry, V Perry, S Megahey, M Burns, C Ranaghan.

Ballyvea: S Main, J McConnell, K Hanna, J Bennett, D McConnell, P McConnell, T Johnston, G Haugh, G Gordon, M Burden, M McConnell. Subs: A Chambers, J Stewart, R Stevenson, L Thompson, R Haugh.

Celtic Bhoys 2

Ballyvea 0

HARRY CLARKE CUP FINAL

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