AUL: Shandon Celtic one of the form teams in League 1 after beating Mogeely

Shandon Celtic 2 Mogeely A 1

Shandon Celtic kept their winning form going as they came out on top 2-1 in a closely fought League 1 contest against Mogeely A at the Fairfield.

Both sides were lively out of the blocks, but for the first five minutes, the game was full of hustle and bustle until Sean Dempsy found an opportunity, but he fired straight at Alex Kirk.

But after being awarded a free kick soon after, Mogeely’s Aidan McNamee unleashed an unstoppable effort into the top corner to send Mogeely A into the lead on 11 minutes. At the other end, a knock-on from Glen Cambridge presented David Cummins with a good chance, but he blazed over near the edge of the box.

When play shifted back to the other end, Mogeely won a corner and from Aidan McNamee’s delivery, Sean Dempsey headed wide to waste a reasonable chance.

Shandon’s David Cummins worked hard on the left flank and got himself free to whip in an inch-perfect cross for Glen Cambridge, but the striker glanced his header wide of the target.

But, it was all square again when after Ian Shellard was fouled inside the box, Shandon were awarded a penalty and from the spot, Glen Cambridge planted his effort to the bottom corner to make it honours even again on the half-hour.

Cambridge found some space soon after to allow him turn and strike, but his effort went off a defender before going narrowly out for a corner.

Nice build up play from Mogeely A followed as Sean Dempsey played it on to Aidan McNamee, who found the available Johnnie Clifford to drill a crisply struck effort narrowly wide.

And after Aidan McNamee looped a free kick over, Sean Dempsey would have reached McNamee were it not for a sharp intervention from Colin Farmer.

A neat flick around the corner from Green at the other end found Glen Cambridge in space, but the ball would just not sit properly for the striker to get a shot away while in a favourable position.

Soon after, Mogeely’s keeper Ewan Wimpenny was forced to parry from a James Green free kick, before the danger was cleared.

The final action in a very evenly matched 45 minutes saw Luke Keane produce a driving run down the right flank before his cross was just too high for the well-positioned Johnnie Clifford.

Just like the first half, the second half opened up with both sides exchanging control of the game at regular intervals until the first threat of note saw Charles Daly produce a driving run from his own half before forcing Ewan Wimpenny to parry out for a corner.

From the resultant set-piece, Cian O’Driscoll rose highest to head straight at Wimpenny before Sean Dempsey rifled a decent effort narrowly over at the other end.

Then, following a neat passage of play, Colin Farmer struck a low effort that did not bother the Mogeely keeper too much.

But, a calamitous mistake from Mogeely’s defence presented David Cummins with an offer he could not refuse as he controlled before finding an unprotected target with a calm finish on 65.

And after James Green forced Wimpenny to push out for a corner, the Mogeely A keeper was in action again when he had to parry away to safety from Ian Shellard’s effort following the corner.

An error in the Mogeely defence presented David Cummins with enough space to pounce, but Christopher O’Donnell’s timely intervention closed the door in the nick of time.

Mogeely injected plenty of energy now into their efforts to try and salvage a point and when Luke Keane got away on the left flank, his whipped in cross looked like it was set for the head of Johnnie Clifford, but Alex Kirk was swiftly off his line to punch clear to safety.

The East Cork side continued to press and in fact did have a last-minute opportunity when Johnnie Clifford crossed for Luke Keane, but while in a good position, he headed wide in what was the final action of the contest.

SHANDON CELTIC: Alex Kirk, Jonathon Cronin, Colin Farmer, Cian O’Driscoll, Graham Hosford, Charles Daly, Ian Shellard, David Cummins, Grantis Barsauskas, Glen Cambridge, James Green.

Subs: Dylan McCarthy and Paul O’Driscoll for Charles Daly and Jonathon Cronin (58), Daniel Rose for James Green (75), Dara Cooney for David Cummins (88).

MOGEELY A: Ewan Wimpenny, Matt Cotter Sweetnam, Johnnie Clifford, Luke Cushin, James O’Connell, Jack Clifford, Dion Drake, Luke Keane, Aidan McNamee, Sean Dempsey and Bran Sweetnam.

Sub: Christopher O’Donnell for Matt Cotter Sweetnam (80).

Referee: Jim Hennessy.