BALLYMURPHY CELTIC 1 ST. FIACC'S 2: Crettyard Utd 3 New Oak Boys 3 CELTIC APPLIED early pressure with Shem Dwyer snapping a shot just wide but then left themselves exposed to the swift counter attack. Fiacc's Pat Scully and Rory Hurley breaking through only for James Kennedy to make good saves as the game progressed.

The deadlock was broken when the Celtic offside trap was sprung with speedster Dale Byrne winning possession before lobbing James Kennedy to give the Saints the lead on 30 minutes. Defences remained on top during the following exchanges to half time.

From the resumption Ballymurphy were much improved and constantly tested the visitors defence with Tomas 'Rocky' Doyle setting up Kevin Foley to beat the advancing keeper James Power and equalise on 60 minutes.

Rocky was shaking up the midfield exchanges and another pass released Davie Lennon to graze a Saints post before Kevin Foley had an effort rebound to safety off the Saints timberwork on 80 minutes. Almost directly from this event Ballymurphy were flatfooted as Dale Byrne raced away before directing a cross onto the head of Lee Timmons who made no mistake from close range.

The Saints effectively shut the shop, kept Celtic at bay for the remainder of the game, and secured the points thanks to the efforts of Dale Byrne, Jamie Parr and Paddy Branagan. Best for Ballymurphy included Paul Foley, Kevin Foley and Mark Maloney. CRETTYARD were happy to take advantage of New Oak's slowness to get to grips with the early exchanges.

Niall Purcell had a shot which deflected off New Oak keeper Chris Power into the path of Mark Fox who made no mistake from close range on ten minutes.

A busy Mark Davis made progress through the Crettyard defence before releasing to Kevin Byrne whose shot inched wide. On 20 minutes New Oak equalised when David O'Regan's corner was met perfectly by Colin Nolan's head to flash the ball to the net. Directly from the kick off United's Niall Purcell surged through a scattered New Oak defence but was prevented from shooting at the expense of a penalty which Niall Purcell converted to restore United's lead. Shortly afterwards New Oak were reduced in numbers and they spent the remainder of the half concentrating on defensive matters by an improving Crettyard.

On the resumption New Oak's forward was quickly into action seeking an equaliser and when a racing Stephen Hennessy was fouled in the box Trevor Power blazed the penalty wide on 47 minutes. Within minutes New Oak's Mark Davis and Colin Nolan had clattered the Crettyard woodwork. Colin Nolan popped up again to equalise on 65 minutes but Crettyard were stunned when Daryl Hayden smacked a 35 yard volley well beyond a startled Jason Kealy in the Crettyard goal to give New Oak the lead on 80 minutes.

The introduction of Christoir Maher, Sean O'Reilly and Paul Kealy had stabilised Crettyard and their response earned a share of the points when Christoir Maher weaved his way to the by-line before directing a pin point accurate cross for Mark fox to finish to the net and equalise and reward the efforts of Brendan Stynes, Dan Hackett and Mark Fox. Best for New Oak included Colin Nolan, P J Connolly and Daryl Hayden

St. Anne's FC 3 Palatine Celtic 4

PRECISE passing by Saints Alan Farrell, Garry Walsh and Barry Kenna carved the Palatine midfield and defensive sector wide open allowing Cormac Farrell to take a well earned score on 12 minutes.

Both sides had chances to score before Palatine's Jason Kane equalised after running onto a smart pass from Gavin Farrell. Gradually defences began to dominate proceedings keeping scoring chances to the minimum for the remainder of the half.

On the resumption the home team enjoyed the better of the exchanges with Celtic defending anxiously as St. Anne's sought the lead. Barry Kenna's expertly delivered corner allowed Cormac Farrell to restore St. Anne's lead on 58 minutes but through the efforts of Brian Farrell Pal seemed to quickly find the key to unlock the home defence with Eoin McMahon equalising on 60 minutes and Billy Mc Donald opportunistically capitalising on a defensive error to put Palatine ahead on 76 minutes.

The exchanges swung from one end of the field to the other with defences living dangerously but St. Anne's were delighted to celebrate a great equaliser scored from the edge of the area by Garry Walsh on 84 minutes. However a

dramatic injury time winner from Jason Kane following good work by Dermot McDonald ensured Palatine ran out narrow winners. Best for Palatine were Jason Kane, Gavin Farrell and man-of-thematch John Reid. Most impressive for St. Anne's were Cormac Farrell, Garry Walsh, Joseph Brophy and Padraig Brandon.