Knocknaheeny Celtic’s move past Donoughmore into Henry Healy Cup semi-final

Knocknaheeny Celtic 3 Donoughmore Celtic 0

KNOCKNAHEENY Celtic’s endeavour was rewarded with a place in the semi-final of the Henry Healy Cup after an accomplished team performance saw them overcome Donoughmore at Kilmore Road.

Outstanding for the winners was Vinney Lonergan who dictated and controlled the run of play from the centre of the park.

The hosts pressed from the off and after Jack Leonard just failed to make contact in front of goal from Wayne O’Leary’s delivery, O’Leary came close himself, but was denied by a decent save from Cathal Sheehan, following good work beforehand by Vinney Lonergan and Robbie Healy.

But, at the other end, Donnacha O’Connor collected from Emmet Aherne and after a neat turn and strike, he was unlucky to see the ball flash inches past the upright.

Donnacha O’Connor threatened again minutes later – this time seeing his cracking effort whistle agonisingly past the post.

Play shifted to the other side with Evan Hourigan collecting from Wayne Doherty before turning to strike goalwards – only to see his effort ricochet off a defender to go narrowly out for a corner.

Graham Murphy was forced to come off his line to make a clearance and when Stephen O’Connor claimed possession, his effort to make the unprotected target just failed to come off.

Jason Higgins lifted an accurate pass over for Vinnie Lonergan near the far post, but the midfielder headed against the side-netting.

A lovely measured ball down the channel from Stephen O’Connor then picked out Kevin O’Connell who threaded it onto Donnacha O’Connor and after a quick turn, he struck a crisp effort that shaved the bar.

And when Vinnie Lonergan found Robert Healy in a good position, he failed to adjust his body enough to get a forceful effort away.

Then from Wayne O’Leary’s corner, Jack Leonard headed over while unattended.

But, on 32, the ice was broken after Emmet Aherne handled following a cross from Knocknaheeny’s Wayne Doherty and from the spot, Jack Leonard made no mistake with a well-taken penalty to the corner.

A response from Donoughmore saw Graham Murphy making a solid save from Kevin O’Connell’s fizzing free kick.

With the second half just ten minutes in, Knocknaheeny were awarded another penalty after Evan Hourigan was fouled inside the box, but from the spot, Cathal Sheehan parried from Jack Leonard’s penalty kick and when it arrived again for Leonard, he fired over to waste a second bite of the cherry.

Minutes later, Jason Higgins just failed to get a touch on a corner while unattended near the far post, but on the hour, Knocknaheeny doubled their advantage when Jason Higgins did touch home this time when Wayne O’Leary’s delivery from a corner arrived for him again near the far post.

The host’s third came from a lovely move that began with Alan King when he picked out Wayne Doherty with a sumptuous pass.

Doherty took a steadying touch before sweeping a low effort across the box and when Jack Leonard failed to make contact, Dara Cronin Jenks was on hand to slam home to make it 3-0 on 65.

A great chance fell for Donoughmore after that to get one back, but when Stephen O’Connor headed on for Rob Regan, he blazed over with the goal in sight.

But, Knocknaheeny threatened again soon after when following another neat passing move, Jack Leonard came so close when he saw his effort narrowly clear the bar.

With nothing to lose now, Donoughmore swept forward and after Graham Murphy was forced to produce a fine save from Emmet Aherne, Dara Cronin Jenks tried an audacious effort that came off the bar before referee Alan McDonagh blew the final whistle.

KNOCKNAHEENY CELTIC: Graham Murphy, Jason Higgins, Cian O’Driscoll, Wayne O’Leary, John Paul Long, Robert Healy, Evan Hourigan, Jack Leonard, Trevor O’Driscoll, Wayne Doherty, Vincent Lonergan.

Subs: Dara Cronin Jenks for Robert Healy (half-time), Alan King for Evan Hourigan (60), Glen Casey for Trevor O’Driscoll (68), Nigel Walsh for Wayne Doherty (77).

DONOUGHMORE: Cathal Sheehan, Patrick O’Sullivan, Emmet Aherne, Luke O’Connor, Terence Looney, Kealan Forde, Stephen O’Connor, Kevin O’Connell, Dan McSweeney.

Subs: Denis Haverty for Dan McSweeney (half-time), David O’Connell for Kealan Forde (57), Rob Regan for Adam Dinan (65).

Referee: Alan McDonagh.