Hero Moore secures top spot for Hoops

30 October 2024

CELTIC Bhoys moved two points clear at the top of the Division 2B table following an eventful win at home to Clonduff.

Entering the match level on points with Carryduff Colts, they claimed three points to create some breathing room for themselves as their rivals failed to beat fourth-place Newhill.

Victory seemed to be in the bag for the hosts at half-time with goals from Eamonn Gargan, Jordan McCoubrey and Sean Megahey, but they would rely on a heroic penalty save from Stephen Moore as their opponents looked to snatch a draw.

Opportunities would come thick and fast for Celtic Bhoys at the start of proceedings as they looked to mount early pressure and it would not take them long to get off the mark.

After just nine minutes, Jarlath Branagan’s long throw was met by Gargan, whose glancing header nestled into the bottom corner for his third goal in three games.

With the Clonduff defenders all at sea, the home side did not rest on their laurels and immediately began to look for a second goal.

They came close just minutes later when Conaill Kerr broke free, leaving the defence in his dust, before playing a driven ball across the box to pick out McCoubrey and although it looked a certain goal, his shot drifted agonisingly wide of the post.

The visitors looked to respond and really should have found an equaliser when Daryl Finlay’s lofted pass was met by Dale Legge, who missed a sitter as he volleyed over the bar at the back post.

Their opponents’ wasted opportunity seemed to spring Celtic Bhoys back into action and they soon doubled their lead.

Megahey’s corner caused a scramble in the box and while the Clonduff defenders were caught sleeping, McCoubrey was not, poking home to make it 2-0.

Celtic Bhoys were not finished there and were awarded a penalty less than 10 minutes later when Branagan was tripped by a scrambling defender, who was lucky not to see red, as he shaped to shoot.

Megahey kept his cool as he placed the ball into the bottom right corner from the spot to send his side into the break three goals to the good.

The league- leaders aimed to pick up where they left off in the first half and as they came close with Branagan’s header crashing off the crossbar, it looked to be a long afternoon for the trailing visitors.

However, fortunes would soon change in what would turn out to be a game of two halves. Jonathan Bowes swooped in to steal the ball away from Megahey and wasted no time in finding the back of the net.

Clonduff sensed a way back into the game and came close to reducing the margin to a single goal when Adam Hamilton’s low, driven free kick was well saved by Moore.

Still, they did not give up, continuing to ask questions of the home defenders, and were rewarded for their efforts in the dying moments of the game as Keelan McMaster finished off a well-worked attack.

As late pressure was piled on deep into stoppage time, Celtic Bhoys’ would find their hearts in their mouths as Meghaey brought down Connor Campbell and the referee pointed to the spot.

With three points on the line, all hope rested on goalkeeper Moore, who had moved up from the seconds team, and he was the hero of the day as he got down to deny Jordan Robinson.

Celtic Bhoys will now turn their attentions to the Junior Shield as they welcome Sandy Row to Ballyhornan on Saturday.

Celtic Bhoys: S Moore, S Megahey, E Gargan, B Connolly, M Rice (captain), J Gibney, C McCartan, G Collins, J McCoubrey, J Branagan, C Kerr.

Subs: S Ferris, C Carberry, N Teggart.

Clonduff: A Keatley, K McMaster, C Campbell, A Hamilton, K McRobb, D Finlay (captain), G Ryan, D Legge, J Bowes, J Dickey, J Robinson.

Subs: L Lorimer, D Rea, J Gilmour.

Celtic Bhoys 3

Clonduff 2

AMATEUR LEAGUE DIVISION 2B

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