Kilmacrennan Celtic saw off a struggling Keadue Reserves side to maintain their four-point advantage at the top of the Brian McCormick Premier Division on Thursday.
Kilmacrennan Celtic 3 Keadue Reserves 0
After Castlefin Celtic’s win over Milford Utd at the weekend, the pressure was on the league leaders Kilmacrennan Celtic to respond positively.
They did just that with three goals in the opening sixteen minutes.
The first two came from Centre-back partners Kieran Gorman and Ryan Shields, both from corners from Daire McDaid, Gorman heading home in the 6th minute and Shields shot getting over the line despite the fact it wasn’t the cleanest of strikes in the 13th minute.
Three minutes later it was 3-0, Enda McCormick did well to win possession and then slid a lovely through ball to Seami Friel who raced clear and slotted the ball past the advancing Danny Rodgers.
Keadue finally got their act together in terms of competing and Danny McGlynn went close with a far post header and then Daniel Ward had a goalbound shot cleared off the line.
The rain continued to fall and the game was been much more evenly contested. Seami Friel tested Rodgers with a cracking shot in the 28th minute and then had an effort cleared off the line by Chris Greene.
Those three early goals still were between them at the break.
Charlie Collins reports from An Screaban.
The opening half-hour of the second-Half produced loads of endeavour from both sides but no clear-cut chances until the 74th minute when Sean Boyle’s supercross found the in-rushing Cory Gallagher but the usually deadly striker powered his header over the bar when a goal looked certain.
Kilmacrennan Celtic could be a bit disappointed that they didn’t really build on their brilliant start but nonetheless they extend the lead at the top of the table out to four points over Castlefin Celtic but have played two games more.
The top pair are scheduled to meet on Sunday week in a game that could have a huge say in where the Premier Division title will end up this season.
Kilmacrennan Celtic: Liam McBride, James Doherty, John Sandilands, Kieran Gorman, Ryan Shields, Mark Friel, Aiden Sweeney, Seami ‘Danny’ Friel, Daire McDaid, Enda McCormick, Christopher Dillon.
Keadue Rovers: Danny Rodgers, Jack Boyle, Callum Boyle, Chris Greene, Jack O Brien, Danny McGlynn, Daniel Ward Daniel McHugh (65mins), Adam Neilly (Michael Greene 82mins ), Sean Boyle, Cory Gallagher, David Ward (Peter McGee 82mins).
Referee: Joe McHugh
