Ridge score late winner while Crettyard win comfortably
Tuesday March 02 2010
Kilree Celtic 1 Ridge Rangers 2: KILREE APPEARED to start off in reverse gear, handing the initiative to Ridge who only had a Damien Sheehan pile driver clattering the Celtic bar to show for their early efforts.
The deadlock was finally broken in uncharacteristic fashion when Kilree keeper Pa Cody's clearance appeared to catch Martin Cody unprepared allowing Ray Buggy to gain possession before scoring on 30 minutes. Ridge's Liam Dunne who was denied a certain score when Pa Cody made a great save just before half time.
On the resumption, Kilree responded like a team who had listened to the half time riot act and Ridge's defence was tested on every front with Aidan Brennan making a number of excellent stops to preserve his side's slim advantage. Ridge found themselves defending desperately and relying on the occasional break with Pa Cody making another great save to prevent Bobby Daly scoring on 53 minutes. From the clearance Ridge were left exposed with Blaine Dwyer releasing to Philly McGrath who set up Brian Darcy to equalise on 78 minutes.
The following exchanges with Ridge's William Ryan trading missed chances with Kilree's Blaine Dwyer. The destiny of the point was decided when Kilree were pushing for the winner and a quick break allowed Ridges Damien Sheehan to advance and score the winner from the edge of the box on 88 minutes.
Wolfhill Athletic 0 Crettyard United 4
DELIGHTED TO renew local acquaintances, Crettyard would not have expected Wolfhill to roll out the red carpet.
United sought the cushion of an early lead which nearly came when David Lynch cut inside before unleashing a rasping shot which flew narrowly wide on four minutes. A great run by the introduced Adrian Byrne was halted on the edge of the Wolves box and the Wolfhill defence formed itself into a wall but was unable to prevent David Lynch's laser guided accurate shot finding the net on nine minutes.
Wolves keeper Kevin Kelly made a number of telling interventions and saves before another Adrian Byrne cross set up another Crettyard new boy Rory Browne to firmly head the ball to the net on 27 minutes. With an improving Phil and Jimmy Brennan beginning to make occasional advances up front for Wolves Crettyard accepted the clear warning signals and sensibly reinforced their defensive arrangements on the approach to half time.
The busy Crettyard attack continued to probe the Wolfhill defence and David Lynch clinically exploited some space to set up the tireless Anthony Holohan to score on 69 minutes.
Chrístóir Maher added icing to the Crettyard cake with a late score to complement the efforts of Rory Browne, Keith Purcell, Adrian Byrne and Ricardo Tavolieri.
