Corrigan puts Celtic clear at the Top

Michael Corrigan’s cool finish in the last minute of normal time may yet prove as important a goal as Boyle Celtic have scored for many seasons. With neither of their title rivals City Utd or Carbury, having a league fixture, Celtic had the chance to stretch their lead at the top of the Super League, to 5 points. The chasing pack have games in hand but they have to play each other twice and both have to come to Boyle. It was really vital that Boyle give them something to worry about. Young Michael Corrigan made sure that they will be looking upwards, for a few weeks at least.

This was always going to be a very tough game for Boyle Celtic. Historically, games against local rivals Aughanagh Celtic have always been tough, but this season, Aughanagh have been holding their own in the Super League and have played well in all their games. Boyle were welcoming back several players. Michael McHale and Killian Conboy were back from Australia. Brian McCrann was back after a 10 week lay-off through injury and right-back Alan Duffy was also back from a brief illness.

Celtic played well first half and created many openings but the finishing was shocking. O Donnohoe, McCrann, Flanagan, Calpin and Carty all guilty of wild shots when a bit of composure was required. The only straight shot from Boyle in the first half was a defensive clearance by John Connolly which struck manager Eddie Conroy full in the face from point blank range. “It would have killed a lesser man”, many seasoned campaigners were heard to remark. The mis-placed humour of seeing their manager almost be-headed was a welcome relief to the not so sharp-shooters in Boyle’s attack. However it did not soften his tongue at half-time for the mis-firing laughing boys!

The second half, saw Aughanagh apply some pressure to the Boyle goal and they were extremely dangerous from set-pieces. Brian Cregg was very unlucky when his thundering header came back off the bar and fell to Duffy, who cleared for a throw in. Aughanagh continued to press from corners without really testing Johnathon Conroy in the Celtic goal. The crisp passing of the first half had deserted Boyle and with 30 minutes left, Killian Conboy was introduced to add some much needed energy to Boyle’s play.Both sides had some half chances but seemingly, nothing was going to come of them. Colm Brennan continued his sparkling form and his level of consistency, suggests he might well be capable of going up a level. There can't be many better full-backs even in the League of Ireland.

With only 5 minutes remaining, Celtic gambled for all 3 points. Noel McKenna whose aerial prowess is crucial to Boyle’s defence was moved up front. The idea was, that McKenna’s strength might hold up the ball and create the chance that would steal the points. While that is exactly what happened, one should not underestimate the quality of the move. McKenna used his experience to encourage the left-back in close to him before flicking over his head, running in behind and drilling across the 6 yard box to Michael Corrigan. He finished with aplomb to the bottom right corner, giving Francis King in goal no chance.
A huge result for Boyle Celtic and maybe a crucial one in terms of their quest for the Super league title. They have 11 games to play but have every chance now. Next Sunday they’re away to Skyvalley Rovers in the Connacht Cup before a return to league action on Sunday 7th February.

Team: Johnathon Conroy, Colm Brennan, Alan Duffy, Noel McKenna, Paul Flanagan, Owen O Donohoe, Brian McCrann, James Carty, John Connolly, Aaron Calpin, Michael Corrigan. With: Martin Mullen, Johnny Dwyer, Karl Kelly, Killian Conboy, Michael McHale
Man of the Match: Colm Brennan (again! - Brennan has been consistently brilliant all season)
Referee: Paul Kilcoyne