Magnificent Matthews inspires Bohermeen to glory
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Bohermeen Celtic’s Harry Keating is challenged by Duleek’s Jamie O’Halloran during the u-15 Peter McManus Cup final at the MDL on Sunday. Photo: Gerry Shanahan - www.cyberimages.net Gerry ShanahanImage 2 of 4
The Bohermeen Celtic players who won the u-15 cup (from left) were: back - Matthew Martin, Ryan McDonnell, Patrick Smith, Ben Matthews, Conn Brennan, Eli Clynch, Cen O’Rourke, Tomas Proudfoot; front - Rhys Callan, Eoin Fitzsimons, Liam Lynch, Aaron Reilly, Harry Keating, Patrick Travers, Matthew Skelton, Alex Grace. Gerry ShanahanImage 3 of 4
The Duleek players for the u-15 Cup final (from left) were: back - Alex Carmody, Jamie O’Halloran, Simon Murphy, Killian McKeon, Liam Agnew, Sean Armstrong, Ryan Kierns, Jack O’Connor, Daryl Courtney; front - Elliott Murphy, Gabriel Melnic, Keniye Taylor Allen, Alex Milne, Alan Kane, Darragh Touhy, Leon Kelly,Gabriel Cercea. Gerry ShanahanImage 4 of 4
Bohermeen Celtic captain Conn Brennan receives the u-15 Peter McManus Cup from Peter McManus (left) and Minister for Sport Thomas Byrne. Gerry ShanahanU-15 PETER MCMANUS CUP FINAL
In a tight encounter, a late goal from substitute Ben O’Rourke was all that separated the sides in Bohermeen Celtic’s victory over Duleek in the u-15 Peter McManus Cup final at the MDL on Sunday, writes Tom Gannon.
While O’Rourke was the hero on the scoreboard, Bohermeen Celtic have to be very thankful to their goalkeeper Ben Matthews who pulled off several brilliant saves and earned his clean sheet in emphatic style.
The eventual winners had the first opportunity of the game when Ryan McDonnell set up Matthew Martin but Martin blasted his shot over the bar. Conn Brennan then found a way through the Duleek defence but Liam Agnew dealt with the threat well.
A well-struck corner from Duleek’s Jamie O’Halloran found its way to Killian McKeown and McKeown’s shot was just a tad bit high. Not long after, a long-range free kick from O’Halloran also just went over Ben Matthews' bar.
Matthews was kept busy in the minutes that followed. The goalkeeper was at full stretch when he denied McKeown from scoring a header and in the very next play, he pulled off an even better save to stop O’Halloran from finding the net.
A long-range shot from Bohermeen’s Brennan was the last piece of action in the half as the sides went in at the break level at 0-0.
Early in the second-half, Bohermeen’s Thomas Proudfoot went close to opening the scoring when his long-range effort rattled off the crossbar. Duleek’s Darragh Touhy caused Bohermeen issues with his distance free kicks and he picked out Jack O’Connor whose shot flashed wide.
Matthews kept the scores tied once again when he denied Killian McKeon from finding the net with 10 minutes left. Up the other end Ben O’Rourke almost edged Bohermeen in front but his volley was hit straight at the 'keeper.
However, with only two minutes left, O’Rourke made amends when he got on the end of Martin's free kick and found the back of the Duleek net much to the delight of everyone involved with Bohermeen.
After that, things went from bad to worse for Duleek when Killian McKeown was dismissed for a second yellow card offence. Duleek couldn’t find an equaliser in the closing stages as Bohermeen held on to be crowned Peter McManus Cup champions.
Bohermeen Celtic – Ben Matthews; Eoin Fitzsimons, Matthew Skelton, Ryan McDonnell, Eli Clynch, Harry Keating, Thomas Proudfoot, Patrick Smith, Conn Brennan, Matthew Martin, Rhys Callen. Subs - Ben O’Rourke, Liam Lynch, Patrick Travers, Aaron Reilly, Alex Grace.
Duleek AFC – Liam Agnew; Sean Armstrong, Alan Kane, Jack O’Connor, Darragh Touhy, Simon Murphy, Ryan Kierans, Alex Milne, Killian McKeown, Jamie O’Halloran, Leon Kelly. Subs – Gabriel Melnic, Daryl Courtney, Gabriel Carcea, Alex Carmody, Kanye Taylor Allen, Elliott Murphy.
Referee – Derek Hegarty.