It took extra-time and a brillant winning goal by young Illies Celtic full-back David Doherty to decide this keenly contested and entertaining Hannon Greene Fr O’Gara Cup final in perfect conditions at sunny Maginn Park.
Illies Celtic 3 Moville Celtic 2 (after extra time)
By Charlie Collins at Maginn Park
It ended 2-2 after normal time with Moville Ceticl twice coming from behind to send it to extra-time.
Illies started well and took the in thr 23rd minute when Micheal Coyle took possession from William McLaughlin’s long throw-in, produced a Brillant turn to loose his marker, rounded the last defender and confidently slotted the ball past keeper Sean McGuinness.
Just before the break Moville should have been back on level terms, Micheal McNaught found space in the box but his shot was blocked by an outstretched foot of keeper Johnny Noone, it then fell to the feet of Connor Doherty but under pressure he blazed it over the crossbar.
Seven minutes into the second – half Doherty did much better, after taking a pass from Finn Mc Laughlin the Moville front man took a good touch and drove the ball past Noone low into the corner of the net to make it 1-1.
Three minutes later the same two combined to open up Illies defence again bit this time the advancing Noone made a fine save as Doherty tried to clip the ball over him.
Moville were on top at this stage and Charlie Gill was just wide after Doherty did well to set him up.
A minute later in the 71st minute, Illies were back in the lead at 2-1, Michael Coyle produced another super turn and spread the play out wide to sub Liam Grant and his dangerous low cross was diverted into his own net by the Moville captain John Gillen.
The lead was shortlived however and Gillen made amends for that unfortunate own goal seven minutes later powerfully heading home Conner Doherty’s excellent corner from three yards out to make it 2-2.
It remained like that until the end of normal time and so we went to extra-time.
Moville had a chance in the 98th minute when Conner Doherty broke into the box but the angle was difficult and Noone made a double save to deny him.
On the stroke of half-time in extra-time Illies were awarded a free-kick out on the right side near Moville’s penalty area.
A cross into the box seemed the more likely option but sub Liam Grant had another plan and rolled the ball into the path of advancing full-back David Dohertyand the youngster hammered a brillant rising shot into the top corner past keeper McGuinness who got a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out.
To their credit Moville pushed hard for a third equaliser in the second-half of extra-time without really creating a clear cut and Illies Celtic held on to add the Hannon Greene Insurances Fr. O’Gara Cup to their Division One League title.
Moville Celtic just missed out again as they had with promotion from Division One but they can still take plenty of positives from this season.
Illies Celtic: Johnny Noone, David Doherty, William McLaughlin, Dominick Doherty, Stephen Grant, Paddy Doherty ( Ryan McElhinney 76), Dominick Coyle, John Donaghy (Liam Grant 67), Kevin McGonagle ( Michael Gallagher 69mins), Michael Coyle (Charlie McLaughlin 106), Martin Coyle ( John Campbell 67).
Moville Celtic: Sean McGuinness, John Gillen, Steven Kearney, Eamonn Reddin, Ryan Killen, Michael McNaught (Declan McGuinness 66 ), Finn Mc Laughlin (Billy McCann 94), James Gill, PJ Barr ( Nobert Indyka 58), Charlie Gillen, Conner Doherty.
Referee: Eamonn Doherty.
