Pearse Celtic continue great start to U17 league with Grenagh victory

Pearse Celtic 4 Grenagh United 2

Pearse Celtic continue life in the Cork Youth U17 League still unbeaten after another fine 4-2 victory in a Daly Industrial Supplies U17 League 3 clash against Grenagh United at Lehenaghmore Park.

The game was level 1-1 at the break with two spectacular goals from Darragh O’Connor of Grenagh and Kyle Newman for Pearse.

Celtic took an early lead 2-1 early in the second half through John O’Leary, however, the lead only lasted for a minute as James Doherty scored for Grenagh. 

They added two more goals from Ben Egan and David Acher to extend their unbeaten run now to five games.

It was the home side, Pearse who made the better start to the game and when Ben Egan found some space inside the box in the fifth minute, he forced a fine stop by United’s net minder Conor Kenny. 

Pearse came close to the breakthrough again in the 16th minute, John O’Leary sprinted down the right wing and when his cross was met by Nathan Cronin he was denied by another superb save by Kenny. 

The visitors took the lead 1-0 against the run of play in the 33rd minute, Darragh O’Connor picked up a loose ball outside the box and he piled driver flew into the roof of the net. 

They could have increased their lead a minute later when James Doherty was through on goal, however, Leon Jackson in the Pearse goal raced off his line to make a brave save.the game was level 1-1 in the 41st minute, O’Leary cross was met by Kyle Neman and his powerful effort flew into the roof of the net.

The home side went 2-1 in front in the 48th minute when O’Brien raced on to through ball and he lifted his effort over Kenny in the United goal. However, the game was level 2-2 a minute later when James Doherty pounced on a loose ball outside and scored from close range.

Pearse continued to put the United back line under pressure and when man of the match Ryan Cremin played a delightful ball to Egan in the 74th minute, he beat two defenders to smash his effort high into the roof of the net to lead 3-2. 

They increased their lead in the 82nd minute when his cross when substitute David Acher was first to react to a loose ball inside the box to score from close range. 

Pearse were unlucky not to have added a fifth goal a minute later, but James Callahan saw his powerful 25 yard free kick come off the crossbar.

PEARSE CELTIC: Leon Jackson, Ryan Virak, Craig Bennett, Donagh McGuirk, Ryan Cremin, Kyle Newman, Ben Egan, James Callanan, Muhammad Ad Alkhalaf, Nathan Cronin, John O’Leary.

Subs: Issac Hayes for Jackson (64), David Acher for Virak (64), Dylan O’Sullivan for Ad Alkhalaf (64), Callum O’Donovan for O’Leary (82), Conor O’Leary for Newman (82).

GRENAGH UNITED: Conor Kenny, Evan Walsh, Petro Fagas, Nathan Vaughan, Nour Frawaz, David O’Donovan, Caden Lane, Lucas McCluskey, Callum Murphy, James Doherty, Darragh O’Connor.

Subs: Alex Osborne for O’Donovan (ht), Patrick Coleman for Murphy (ht), Tadgh Morrissey for Lane (76), Jack Doherty for Walsh (76), David Smith for Jack Doherty (90).

Referee: Dave Finnegan.