Boyd and Baggley team up to rule Ballynagross

Boyd and Baggley team up to rule Ballynagross

30 March 2016

CELTIC Bhoys’ ruthless Galacticos swept Ballynagross aside at a wet and windy Ballykinlar to book their place in the Toals Harry Clarke Cup semi-finals.

Stephen Torney’s side will now face Castlewellan seconds at Bear Park, Newcastle, after their shock 2-1 win over a highly fancied Killough outfit at Millfield. 

There were no early signs of what was to come from Celtic as Ballynagross settled quicker and with just two minutes gone, Declan Dowie sped past Peter Kelly and Michael Rice on the counter attack before blasting well off target. 

Celtic took heed from this threat and three goals in a manic seven minute spell had them 3-0 up and coasting.

With six minutes gone Shane Baggley threaded a super ball from the left into the path of Chris Mullan out on the right.

Mullan left his marker for dead before unleashing an unstoppable drive that almost buried ‘keeper Harry Clements in the net.

Two minutes later Baggley audaciously clipped the ball over a stranded Clements, but he did get a bit of help from the swirling wind as the ball dipped at the last minute and ended up in the net.

It was 3-0 in the 13th minute when Baggley, who had his back to goal, received a long throw from Joe Murphy.

The busy winger turned with one touch and beat Clements all ends up with another clinical finish.

It could have been 4-0 after 24 minutes when the adventurous Murphy fired an inviting cross into the box, but big Caolan Boyd was out of luck when his powerful header crashed against the crossbar.

Celtic continued to look for goals and with 31 minutes gone Ballynagross were carved wide open again. Murphy was once again involved and his threaded pass picked out Boyd who caught one as sweet as a nut and Clements was forced to concede defeat as the ball flew past him.

The irresistible Hoops maintained their onslaught after the break and Clements earned a double helping of corn when he saved from Mullan, Boyd and Baggley in quick succession. 

Chris Laverty then missed a sitter at the back post after a stinging effort from Jordan McAllister was parried out by Clements, but Celtic didn’t have long to wait for their fifth goal.

With 51 minutes gone and Ballynagross under sustained pressure, McAllister seized the moment and drilled a corker past Clements from outside the box. 

If Ballynagross thought that Celtic would take their foot off the gas they were badly wrong.

A sweeping move saw Jordan Curran feed Baggley and he put the ball on a plate for Mullan to make it 6-0 in the 62nd minute.

It was 7-0 13 minutes later when man of the match Baggley combined with Mullan to give Jamie Kelly a tap in before Boyd grabbed his second goal after unselfish work from Mullan.

Boyd completed the scoring when he netted his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Mullan had been fouled by Marty Hamill.  

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

Ballynagross seconds: H Clements, D Keown, R Brannigan, W Hamilton, M Hamill, E McEvoy, B Orr, D Craig, D Dowie, J Shields, D Braniff. Subs: R Orr, M Press, M Magennis.

Celtic Bhoys 9

Ballynagross II 0

HARRY CLARKE CUP