TWO FINE GOALS proved to the difference as Bonagee United sneaked past Killarney Celtic in the last 32 of the at Letterkenny Institute of Technology.
Bonagee United 2-1 Killarney Celtic
Finnian O’Donnell and Jack Murphy were the goalscorers for the side managed by Brendan Carlin, who got their full of it from a good Kerry team.
In the opening five minutes, Bonagee goalkeeper Adrian McLaughlin was the reason the score stayed at 0-0.
Killarney’s Ryan O’Grady was causing consternation from corner kicks as Bonagee struggled to break out.
Photo caption: The Bonagee United team that defeated Killarney Celtic in the last 32 of the SFAI Under-14 National Cup today. Photo by Stephen Doherty
In the fourth minute, as the hosts half-cleared, James Darmody hooked the ball back in towards goal. It appeared for a second that it would lob over McLaughlin, but he backpedalled to touch it onto the crossbar and over with an excellent save.
Then, two minutes later, from another O’Grady delivery, it broke to Evan Looney on the edge of the penalty area and he returned it wit interest, headed for the bottom corner. However, McLaughlin scrambled down to his right and turned the ball around the post for another impressive stop.
From there, a minute later, Bonagee mustered an excellent counter-attack to free O’Donnell down the right. He rounded left-back Jason Kerins and then when faced with goalkeeper Dylan Doona to beat, skipped past him as well to slot into the empty net.
Although the away team had probably more of the ball towards the end of the first half, the closest either side came to a goal was when O’Donnell saw a half-volley saved by Doona.
All hands to the pump at Letterkenny Institute of Technology for the players of Bonagee United and Killarney Celtic in the last 32 of the SFAI Under-14 National Cup. Photo by Stephen Doherty
In the second half, five minutes in, Ben Gallagher of Bonagee got onto the end of a pass from Murphy, only for Doona to stand firm and save.
Killaney came closest to a leveller on 56 minutes when Padraig Looney had two efforts in a crowded Bonagee penalty area and Kieran Tobin and Ciaran Gallagher got in brave blocks to maintain the lead.
Again, Bonagee, a minute later. made the most of their respite with a super second goal, which was scored by Murphy from long-range – almost catching everyone by surprise – as his shot flew in off the post.
Two up an in pole position, Bonagee had nine toes in the next round but Killarney’s Evan Looney scored a free-kick from the edge of the area with just two minutes left. McLaughlin in goal got hands on it but this time couldn’t keep it out.
Bonagee, though, held on and can now look forward to the draw for the next round.
Bonagee United squad (rolling subs): Adrian McLaughlin, Kieran Tobin, Josh McCullagh, David Smith, Eoin Dowling, Dylan Woods, Cian McMonagle, Ronan McKinley, Finnian O’Donnell, Jack Murphy, Keelan Collier, Ben Gallagher, Ciaran Gallagher.
Killarney Celtic (rolling subs): Dylan Doona, Tom Doyle, Jason Kerins, Alan Dineen, Ryan O’Grady, Evan Looney, Niall McGillicuddy, Rory Doyle, Cian Dineen, James Darmody, Christian Casey, Padraig Looney, Kian Dineen, Neil O’Shea.
Referee: Marty McGarrigle.
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