Commiserations to Boyle Celtic's senior team who put in a very strong effort against reigning FAI Junior Cupholders, St Michael's AFC of Tipperary, and came out on the wrong side of a 1-0 scoreline after extra time.
In very cold and windy conditions and in front of the largest crowd to descend on Celtic Park for some time, the home time really took it to their illustrious hosts and, arguably, played the better brand of football. That said, the St Michaels defence were very well-drilled and Boyle didn't have too many chances on their goal. Oddly enough, the two best chances, both of which went agonisingly, marginally wide, came while Boyle were down to ten men with Lochlainn Conboy off the pitch for treatment to a cut head. Kyle Suffin in the Boyle goal had to make some fine saves and one in particular, in the final moments of the 90 minutes, was probably one of the best saves ever seen at Celtic Park.
Into extra time and the cupholders struck, albeit controversially with the home defence stopping play assuming they had been awarded a free-kick and Jimmy Carr slotting home for the visitors. The referee stuck to his guns and the goal stood and try as hard as they did, Boyle just couldn't grab the equaliser.
A worrying incident in the second half of extra time when Christopher Higgins of St Michael's stayed down after a strong challenge on a Boyle player - he banged his head in the process and received a concussion. Play was held up while an ambulance was called as a precaution and Higgins was taken to Sligo General - thankfully, he received the all-clear and was discharged later that evening.
On resumption of play, Boyle continued to press for the equaliser and nearly got caught on the break late on but there were no further goals. Congratulations on a valiant attempt to the Boyle squad and their management team - if they continue to perform as in this match, a run in the Connacht Cup is not beyond them.
