Illies Celtic retained their Premier Division status with a hard fought win over a gallant Moville side who will rue some missed chances in the opening half.
Illies Celtic 1 Moville Celtic 0
Moville created a good chance in the fourth minute after neat passing ended with Nathan Harkin threading a pass into Michael McNaught but Johnathan Noone advanced to block with his legs.
A minute later they stole possession in midfield and broke quickly with Norbert Indyka pulling the ball back to Harkin but he scuffed his shot when well placed.
Illies replied on 10 minutes and after a corner the ball broke to Patrick O’Connor in a crowded area his powerful effort was blocked by defenders.
Illies went very close on 19 minutes when a great cross from the right by Liam Grant found Paddy Doherty at the back post but his header from a tight angle came off the post.
Moville then spurned a clear chance midway through the half when Noone advanced to clear outside the box but mis hit his clearance and McNaught collected but fired wide from 25 yards.
At the other end a heavy touch from Moville keeper Ryan Coyle was seized on by Paddy Doherty and his cross from wide on the left was headed clear by Charlie Gill.
Illies threatened again on 31 minutes when Paddy Doherty slipped a lovely pass into Gavin Doherty but his effort lacked power to trouble Coyle.
Illies had another effort when Kevin McGonagle advanced from full back and unleashed a powerful effort which Coyle gathered at the second attempt.
Moville had the first chance on 49 minutes when a superb free kick delivery from Indyka flashed across goal with Dermot Harkin just failing to convert. Illies replied and after some neat passing a Liam Grant cross was headed over by Paddy Doherty under pressure.
Moville then broke with McNaught bursting into the box but Ryan McElhinney made a superb saving tackle.
Illies broke the deadlock on 73 minutes when a Liam Grant free from the right on the side of the penalty area found Paddy Doherty who powered a header home.
Then a brilliant outside of the foot pass from Dominic Coyle released Paddy Doherty but his attempted lob was blocked down by keeper Coyle.
Paddy Doherty then played a superb pass to substitute Adrian Doherty who pulled the ball back to Paddy Doherty but his effort was saved by Coyle.
Moville pushing forward and overlapping substitute William McLaughlin drove a ball across goal but Liam Grant could not convert. Moville tried to hit back but Conor Doherty drove over when under pressure and it is Illies who will be in the Premier Division next season.
