Cory Gallagher’s solo goal was enough to give Keadue Rovers all three points and send them to the top of the Division One table with a win over Gweedore Celtic.
Gweedore Celtic 0-1 Keadue Rovers
The home side can rightly feel a bit hard done by as they created enough chances to take something from this keenly contested derby clash. Indeed they could have taken an early lead when Eamon McGee’s super volley smashed off the Keadue crossbar after Colin Ferry’s misfit shot had unexpectedly found McGee in the box.
Celtic had another chance to take the lead in the 15th minute when Michael Mac Ceallbhaigh’s free found David McGee but he shot across goal when well placed. Keadue’s best chance of the opening half came in the 29th minute when young Michael Greene found space in the box and forced a fine diving save from Christopher Sweeney.
Just after the break Keadue’s Daniel Mc Hugh was allowed eight to race onto a through ball but David Mc Gee recovered to make a vital block tacvkle to deny him.
The home side introduced Odhran Mac Naillais in the 51st minute and a minute later his super through ball put Colin Ferry in the clear but he shot across Danny Rodgers goal.
In the 55th minute Keadue’s centre-back Jack O Brien who along with defensive partner Chris Greene was excellent throughout made a last ditch block to deny Chris Mc Fadden a clear shot. Three minutes later another Gweedore opportunity went wrong when Eamon Mc Gee and Tomas Diver created an opening but Colin Ferry slipped at a vital moment.
The winning goal arrived in the 68th minute when Cory Gallagher who had been relatively quiet, picked up possession near half-way on the left side, he raced forward into the penalty area as defenders backed off and then after cutting inside his shot took a deflection and lopped over keeper Sweeney for a vital goal.
Gweedore responded well to this set-back and Diver’s free-kick flashed just wide with Rodgers at full stretch. At the other end Keadue’s David Ward was just too high from a free-kick and as the play swung from end to end Ferry forced a good save from Rodgers.
The game final chance arrived in the 91st minute following Mac Naillais’s long throw Rodgers made a super save from Colin Ferry’s well struck volley, the big keeper holding just preventing the ball crossing the line after he had parried but not held Ferry’s stinging drive.
Keadue played out the remaining injury-time minutes to take all three points home and make their supporters very happy as they go top for Christmas especially long standing fan Anthony ‘Dutch’ Doherty who is celebrating his 70th Birthday today and went home very happy indeed.
Gweedore Celtic: Christopher Sweeney, Eugene Noel Ferry, Eamon Curran, David McGee, Michael Mac Ceallbhaigh, Liam McFadden, Chris McFadden, Eamon McGee, Colin Ferry, Tomas Diver, Cathal Campbell. Subs: Odhran Mac Niallais for Campbell (51), Liam Higgins for Chris Mc Fadden (78).
Keadue Rovers: Danny Rodgers, Jack Boyle, Luke Neilly, Jack O’Brien, Chris Greene, Hugh Moy, David Ward, Michael Greene, Christy Greene, Cory Gallagher, Daniel McHugh. Subs: Ultan Boyle for C Greene (70), Aaron McCafferty for McHugh (85).
Referee: Mick Lagan.
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