Boher Celtic take the point they needed from Rathcormac game to lift the league two title
Boher Celtic, who were crowned League 2 champions after a 1-1 draw with Rathcormac at Ballyhass.
It was a terrific achievement by the County Cork side who completed their league campaign, with just one defeat from 16 games.
It was a real tight and cadgy affair throughout, which was no surprise when you look at the magnitude of the contest for both sides.
And after a cautious start, Liam Dowling was first to get a shot away, but his effort did not trouble Ben Hogan in the Rathcormac goal.
Then, Boher’s Dylan McAuliffe cushioned a ball down for Niall Bucke who unleashed a cracking effort that soared over.
A great chance next fell for Boher, when Darren Griffin exchanged passes with Niall Bucke, but as he made in-roads towards goal, he drilled straight at Hogan.
Boher were edging it at this point, but after a ten-minute period of nip and tuck, Rathcormac started to show signs that they were getting a firmer grip on the game and after Cian Hogan slipped it sideways to Tadgh Lawton, the defender rifled wide.
Then, Rathcormac came so close to nosing in front – Dominik Wojtas played it on to Colin Hogan, who whipped in a cross that saw Richie Morrisson leap to send his header clattering off the bar before it went over.
The game had a touch of ebb and flow to it now and when Boher were awarded a corner, Conor O’Riordan’s in-swinging delivery had Ben Hogan stretching to tip out for a corner.
Ciaran Crowley picked out Colin Hogan with a superb accurate pass and after making progress down the right flank, he lifted an accurate delivery that looked destined for the lurking Richie Morrisson until Dan O’Connell foiled the opportunity by getting an important interception in.
A neat ball around the corner from Dominik Wojtas presented Richie Morrisson with a half-chance, but the striker’s turn and strike from the edge of the box cleared the bar.
When play shifted to the other end, Niall Bucke did well on the left to get the better of his marker, but when he sent an inviting low pass into the box, it had just too much on it for the available Liam Dowling.
Rathcormac then came close – Tadgh Lawton produced an industrious run before picking out the available Cian Hogan, who drilled a cracking effort goalwards, that was punched clear by Thomas Hickey.
But, with five minutes to the break, the deadlock was broken.
Conor O’Riordan’s delivery from a corner into the box was fumbled by the Rathcormac keeper and it was Niall Bucke who was first to pounce and touch it over the line to hand Boher the lead.
Rathcormac had it all to do now and following the first ten minutes of the second period which saw huffing and puffing from both sides as the intense heat on the day pulled the tempo of the game back significantly.
But, Rathcormac had to chase the game now and from a corner, the ball broke for Ciaran Crowley who rifled over from outside the box.
Efforts from Colin Hogan, Dominik Wojtas and Richie Morrisson followed, but both John O’Connell and Dan O’Connell were imperious for Boher at the heart of their defence.
But, it was all square once again when Dominik Wojtas’ quickly-taken corner came for Ciaran Crowley and after taking a steadying touch, Crowley unleashed an unstoppable thunderbolt that torpedoed into the top corner for what was a wonderful finish to the equaliser on 64 minutes.
As Rathcormac pressed, Boher were finding the odd moments to break and when Darren Griffin found a way in, he could not bring the ball under control to get a proper effort away and when it broke for Dylan McAuliffe, he blazed over.
With one last throw of the dice left, Rathcormac started throwing bodies forward and when Daniel Pooley crossed low into the box, both Russell and Morrisson failed to make contact.
Minutes later, referee Ryan McCann blew the final whistle, which saw the Boher supporters rejoice as they ran on to the pitch to congratulate their heroes.
Boher Celtic: Thomas Hickey, Robbie Walsh, Liam Griffin, Dan O’Connell, John O’Connell, Darren Griffin, Conor O’Riordan, Eoin McAuliffe, Niall Bucke, Dylan McAuliffe and Liam Dowlin.
Subs: Mark Dineen for Eoin McAuliffe (half-time), Dylan McCarthy for Dylan McAuliffe (66), Cian Cronin for Darren Griffin (81), Joseph Duffy for Niall Buckle (84).
Rathcormac: Ben Hogan, James O’Riordan, Gareth Reilly, Oisin Roche, Tadgh Lawton, Thomas Murray, Cian Hogan, Ciaran Crowley, Dominik Wojtas, Richie Morrisson and Colin Hogan.
Subs: Daniel Poole for Colin Hogan (72), Dean Russell for Dominik Wojtas (72).
Referee: Ryan McCann.
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