Belmount Celtic reach final of President’s Cup with big win over Strand B
Belmount Celtic FC, who had a 4-0 victory over Strand B in the semi-final of the President's Cup at Ballyanley.
After a close enough affair over the first 45, Belmount Celtic started to knit their play together more which had the effect of presenting themselves with enough opportunities to win the game comfortably in the end.
But, what a cracking opening few minutes we were treated to.
After the Belmount’s keeper had to tip over from an in-swinging corner, Emil Czop saw his header from the ensuing second corner, thump off the underside of the bar before being hooked clear.
When it fell then for Gavin Kelleher his cracking strike cannoned back off a defender for Dylan Quinn to bring a point blank save from Patrick Fitzgibbon.
Then, when play shifted quickly to the other end, a terrific chance fell for Evan Carroll, but with the goal gaping, he hooked over.
And when Jonathon Buckley fired straight at Alex Harrison, Buckley’s delivery from a corner minutes later was curling all the way into the far corner, but Strand’s Dylan Quinn was in the right place and time to rise and head away for another corner.
A stray pass by Liam O’Brien then presented Gavin Kelleher with a terrific opportunity, but with the goalkeeper advancing, he steered narrowly wide of the post.
And when Adam McCarthy picked out the available Salman Yuri, he slammed the side-netting with a narrow effort.
Following good work from Belmount’s James Kelleher, the ball broke for Martin O’Sullivan who made Alex Harrisson stretch to collect from his low effort.
But, on 37, the ice was broken when from James Kelleher’s corner, David O’Halloran rose to power his header past a helpless Harrisson for Belmount’s opener.
With just minutes to the break, Evan Carroll could not get direction on his header from James Kelleher’s cross before a turn and strike from Strand’s Gavin Kelleher sailed over.
Belmount threatened from the off as the second half got under way and when Jonathon Buckley played in Mark Dromey with a through ball, Adam Dunphy came to Strand’s rescue with a top-drawer tackle.
Belmount doubled their advantage when Jason McDonnell’s ball over the top was knocked back by Evan Carroll for Martin O’Sullivan to slide his low effort, accurately into the bottom corner on 68.
A thumping free kick then followed from Jonathon Buckley, clipped the upright before going wide.
Belmount were edging affairs now and when James Kelleher played it short for Evan Carroll, his low pass looked destined for the available Jason McDonnell until a sharp Alex Harrisson leapt off his line to intercept.
But, when play shifted to the other end, Jack Flannagan came so close for Strand when his cracking effort whistled agonisingly past the upright.
Strand were now going through a good spell and when Gavin Kelleher laid it off Adam McCarthy, who was in a favourable position, he scooped over to waste a chance.
But, after McDonnell headed into the arms of Harrisson from Patrick O’Sullivan’s long throw, Strand’s problems were further compounded when David O’Halloran headed his second goal home from Jonathon Buckley’s corner to make it 3-0 on 83.
With just seven minutes or so to go now, Strand B, who were winners of this trophy last season had an impossible mountain to climb now and were dealt a final blow when after James Creedon’s effort was blocked, it fell for Jason McDonnell, who chipped into the far corner to make it finally 4-0 to Belmount.
Strand United A: Alex Harrisson, Max O’Leary, James Buckley, Adam Dunphy, Emil Czop, Patrick O’Connell, Salman Yuri, Adam McCarthy, Joseph Donovan, Dylan Quinn and Gavin Kelleher.
Subs: Shane Linehan for Patrick O’Connell (54), Dylan Lynch for Max O’Leary (60), Jack Flanagan for Emil Czop (74), Tate Kurutz for Joseph Donovan (77).
Belmount Celtic: Patrick Fitzgibbon, Patrick O’Sullivan, Eoin Dromey, David O’Halloran, Liam O’Brien, Mark Dromey, Colm O’Mahoney, Jonathon Buckley, Martin O’Sullivan, Evan Carroll and James Kelleher.
Subs: Jason McDonnell for Mark Dromey (51), Owen Kane for Liam O’Brien (63), Killian Twomey McCarthy for Eoin Dromey (74), James Creedon for Martin O’Sullivan (88), Gearoid Grainger for Colm O’Mahoney (89).
Referee: Paul Bowdren.
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