Cathedral Celtic win the bragging rights and the points after their 5-2 victory over Shandon Celtic

Shandon Celtic 2 

Cathedral Celtic 5

Cathedral Celtic won the bragging rights and the points after their 5-2 victory over Shandon Celtic in a highly competitive north-side derby in League 1 at Popham’s Road.

And despite a 2-1 half-time deficit, Cathedral Celtic came alive after the break, upping the pace to score four more times.

It was a typical local derby, packed with commitment and intensity from start to finish as Cathedral threatened from the off - Danny O’Shea swept a pass on for Kyle O’Callaghan, who picked out the available Corey Ryan, but the winger lacked conviction while in a good position as Alex Kirk picked with ease.

Mark O’Donnell then happened to be in the right place to get his body in the way of a fizzing effort by Jonathon Cronin at the other end.

But, when Ian Shellard’s effort was blocked, James Green was first to pounce and stab home the opener for Shandon on ten minutes.

Shandon’s advantage was short-lived though as five minutes later, Kyle O’Callaghan rose to send a thumping header crashing into the Shandon net from Dale O’Donovan’s corner.

Soon after, Kristian O’Sullivan was forced to punch clear from Warren Forde’s looping effort, following a free kick by Paul O’Driscoll.

A chance fell for Cathedral then when after Dale O’Donovan’s free kick arrived in the box, Mark O’Donnell knocked it down for Kyle O’Callaghan, but he rifled over from the edge of the box.

And when Shane Conway collected from Kyle O’Callaghan before slamming wide, Corey Ryan beat his marker, but fired tamely at Kirk.

At the other end, Glen Cambridge’s delivery from a corner broke kindly for David Cummins, but he was denied when Kristian O’Sullivan leaped to tip over.

From the resultant corner, Ian Shellard was unlucky to see his low effort go inches wide.

But, Shandon went into the break with a 2-1 advantage when a crisply struck effort from Barsauskas flashed into the top corner.

Cathedral pressed from the start of the second period, forcing three corners in quick succession and after Kyle O’Callaghan could not adjust his body enough to get a firm header on target from Corey Ryan’s cross, Colin Farmer had to be alert to get in the way of Kyle O’Callaghan’s intended strike on goal, following good work from Corey Ryan.

Cathedral continued to enjoy the lion’s share at this point as Kyle O’Callaghan swivelled from outside the box before rifling over.

But, it was honours even once again when Ian Skillington was on hand near goal to help home the equaliser on 65.

Cathedral were in the zone now and nosed in front when from Dale O’Donovan’s free kick, Shane O’Connell got a nick on it before it entered the net to make it 3-2 on 66.

Cathedral continued on the front-foot and following good work by Kyle O’Callaghan, Danny O’Shea was unlucky to see his low effort slam off the side-netting.

Cathedral stretched their lead on 73 minutes when a cracking effort from Danny O’Shea’s free kick torpedoed into the top corner.

Cathedral were accorded another terrific chance minutes later when Corey Ryan found himself in a one-on-one with Alex Kirk, but the Shandon keeper was up to the task and produced a strong save.

Soon after, Kyle O’Callaghan applied the icing to the cake when he guided home to an empty net after sloppy play at the back from Shandon.

Shandon Celtic: Alex Kirk, Jonathon Cronin, Colin Farmer, Dominic Roche, Paul O’Driscoll, Ian Shellard, David Cummins, Warren Forde, James Green, Glen Cambridge and Grantas Barsauskas.

Subs: Dylan McCarthy for Jonathon Cronin (49), Seamus Heffernan for Warren Forde (56), Dean Mannix for David Cummins (73) Darragh Cooney for Grantas Barsauskas (84).

Cathedral Celtic: Kristian O’Sullivan, Sebastian Rivera, Dale O’Donovan, Shane O’Connell, Mark O’Donnell, Ross Kiely, Eoin O’Connell, Danny O’Shea, Kyle O’Callaghan, Shane Conway and Corey Ryan.

Subs: Ivan Skillington for Sebastian Rivera (60), Dara Kiely for Ross Kiely (85), Evan Leahy for Corey Ryan (88), Luke O’Connor for Danny O’Shea (88), Craig Downey for Mark O’Donnell (89).

Referee: Jim Hennessy.