CFC Banteer came from behind to run out 4-2 winners over Glenthorn Celtic in their Premier A clash

Glenthorn Celtic 2

CFC Banteer 4

CFC Banteer came from 0-2 down before storming back to run out 4-2 winners in the end over Glenthorn Celtic in their Premier A clash at St. Aidan’s School.

The thinking by both these sides before the start of the game was – CFC Banteer needed get back to winning ways after their defeat against Strand A while Glenthorn’s ambitions was to lift themselves off the foot of the table by winning three points.

In wet and windy conditions, both sets of players found it difficult at the start to establish any kind of rhythm, but it was Glenthorn who settled in quickly when after a cross from Thomas McGrath came back off the but of the upright, Stephen Lynham was on hand to tap home from close range and hand Glenthorn the early advantage.

And when Ciaran McCarthy fired a low effort at Luke Philpott, Glenthorn doubled their advantage when Stephen Lynham gathered possession on the left before setting off towards goal to slot accurately past Philpott on ten minutes.

A lovely weighted pass by Vavada would have setup Tadgh Sexton with a certain goal-scoring opportunity, but a sharp Jake Collins was quickly off his line to smother the danger.

Then, after Ciaran McCarthy saw his terrific effort from distance flash narrowly past the upright, Adam Lynch shifted to his right before making Philpott work with his low effort.

A chance fell for Banteer after that, but when Cathal O’Donoghue’s ball over the top arrived for Vavada,, control left him down and with it – a potential chance.

CFC Banteer were starting to settle down a bit better now and gathered their composure after that frantic start to the contest which saw them trail very quickly by two goals and on the half-hour, they pegged one back following a sweeping move – Vavada played it on for Stewart O’Keeffe, whose low cross found Tadgh Sexton in the right place to slam home from close range.

And when Banteer broke from defence minutes later, Harry Buttimer’s cross was just that bit too strong for Timmy Murphy who was after working smartly off the shoulder of his marker.

Then, with just minutes to the break, Jake Collins had to come swiftly off his line to deny Tadgh Sexton latching on to a measured ball from David Murphy.

Tristan Foley got the second half going with a low effort at Luke Philpott, but it was all square again when a cross from Tadgh Murphy was turned into his own net by Josh O’Sullivan – just four minutes in.

This equaliser certainly had an igniting effect on CFC Banteer’s energy count and when Oisin Twomey was fouled inside the box, they were awarded a penalty.

Alan Coughlan entrusted himself to take the spot kick and he made no mistake when he sent his effort crashing into the net to hand Banteer the lead for the first time in the game.

Glenthorn did come so close to equalising again when from a corner, Josh O’Sullivan’s goal-bound effort was stopped by Harry Buttimer soon after.

But, with David Murphy pulling the strings for Banteer around the centre while working like a Trojan to challenge for every ball, it wasn’t long before they found openings once again in Glenthorn’s rearguard.

The opportunity arrived when after defending from Glenthorn’s frantic charge on Banteer’s defensive third, a long clearance came into the direction of Harry Buttimer, who showed a huge desire to win possession which he did and when he looked up, he found Tadgh Sexton free inside the box with a low pass for the striker to grab his second with cool finish.

Although the tie was almost beyond the reach of Glenthorn Celtic now, they still showed a big hunger to penetrate the Banteer rearguard, but following a number of attempted forays into the final third, it was not to be as in the end CFC Banteer held on to what was a terrific comeback as well as a massive three points under the circumstances.

Glenthorn Celtic: Jake Collins, Jamie Keniry, Zac Matley, Josh O’Sullivan, Ben Sheehan, Tristan Foley, Ciaran McCarthy, Adam Lynch, Stephen Lynham, Pual Kenneally and Tomas McGrath.

Subs: Luke Harris for Paul Kenneally (77).

CFC Banteer: Luke Philpott, Alan Coughlan, Cathal O’Donoghue, Brian O’Keeffe, Dave McAuliffe, Tadgh Murphy, Harry Buttimer, David Murphy, Tadgh Sexton, Stewart O’Keeffe and Timmy Murphy.

Subs: Nada Vavada for Dave McAuliffe (11), Oisin Twomey for Brian O’Keeffe (40), Ronan Kiely for Stewart O’Keeffe (73), Eathan Walsh for Timmy Murphy (87).

Referee: Paul O’Sullivan.