AUL: Colm Healy hat-trick fires Knocknaheeny Celtic past Glenthorn
Knocknaheeny Celtic beat Glenthorn Celtic in the third round of the FAI Junior Cup at Kilmore Road. Picture: Barry Peelo.
Colm Healy grabbed a hat-trick as Knocknaheeny Celtic booked their spot in the third round of the FAI Junior Cup following a victory over Glenthorn Celtic at Kilmore Road.
Although Knocknaheeny were good value for their win, Glenthorn gave as good as they got until Zac Matley was sent from the field of play in the 63rd minute.
From there on, the Premier side took over and ran out comfortable winners in the end.
Knocknaheeny engineered the first chance of note when Vinny Lonergan dinked a ball into space for Kian Green, but he scooped over from the edge of the box.
What a chance fell for Glenthorn when after Graham Murphy parried from Danny Gibson’s stinging free kick, Jamie Crowley had a great opportunity, but fired straight at Graham Murphy from the rebound.
And after Luke Greaney failed to get direction on his header from a cross, Jamie O’Connell blazed over from the edge of the box.
Knocknaheeny were controlling the early exchanges and when Vinney Lonergan saw his low effort whistle past the post, Colm Healy’s turn-and-strike went straight at Jake Collins from Evan Hourigan’s low cross.
Glenthorn were gradually pulling themselves into the game and from a poor clearance, Paul Kenneally was accorded a half-chance, but hooked over.
And when David Busher won good possession around the centre, he released Danny Gibson, who took a steadying touch before rifling over from a narrow angle.
Then, Graham Murphy had to get his body behind a fizzing free kick from Danny Gibson.
But, when Jake Collins made a top-drawer save from Luke Greaney’s volley, following an accurate cross by Wayne Doherty, the ice was broken when Colm Healy fired low and hard into the corner on 24 minutes to hand Knocknaheeny the lead.
Danny Gibson almost levelled proceedings again though when he was unlucky to see his cracking effort from a free kick come back off the woodwork.
But, a cross from Colm Healy saw Wayne Doherty steal in to guide home and double his side’s advantage on 35.
A response from Glenthorn saw them come close when Gibson knocked it back for Evan Virgo, who fired narrowly wide of the target.
The final action in the first 45 saw Kian Green attempt an audacious overhead kick that went narrowly wide from Wayne Doherty’s cross.
With just minutes in, a terrific run by Jamie O’Connell saw him make headway into the final third before crossing for Wayne Doherty, who headed straight at Glenthorn’s keeper.
But, Glenthorn worked their way back into the contest when a terrific run by Danny Gibson saw him cut inside before planting his effort into the far corner to make it 2-1 on 50 minutes.
But, Knocknaheeny came close at the other end when from Craig Hourigan’s free kick, Colm Healy steered agonisingly wide of the upright.
Glenthorn suffered a blow when their full-back Zac Matley was sent from the field of play.
Knocknaheeny’s numerical advantage became noticeable now and after being awarded a corner, Craig Hourigan saw his delivery come back off the upright and when it fell into Wayne Doherty’s path, his goal-bound effort ricochethed off John Paul Long before nestling in the net – 3-1 on 77 minutes.
The inevitable happened then, when Colm Healy was allowed to turn and strike inside the box and plant his second goal on 79 minutes.
He then completed his hat-trick with a header from Doherty’s cross near the end – 5-1 to Knocknaheeny Celtic.
Graham Murphy, Evan Hourigan, Luke Greaney, Kelvin Greaney, Nathan Falvey, Craig Hourigan, Jamie O’Connell, Kian Green, Colm Healy, Jordan Cuff, Vinny Lonergan.
Wayne Doherty for Jordan Cuff (17), John Paul Long for Kelvin Greaney (half-time), Cian Kenny for Jamie O’Connell (76), Kyle Healy for Evan Hourigan (76).
Jake Collins, Evan Virgo, Zac Matley, Jamie Keniry, David Busher, Tomas McGrath, dean Geaney, Danny Givson, Paul Kenneally, Jamie Crowley and Sam Coleman.
Jake McGrath for Jake Collins (41), Dean O’Connor for David Busher (77).
Alan McDonagh.
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