NEFL | Blistering Mulvenna strike maintains Muirhevnamor’s title charge
NEFL Premier Division | OMP United 2–3 Muirhevnamor FC
Muirhevnamor’s hopes of retaining the NEFL Premier Division title were given a huge boost at the MDL Grounds on Friday night as they clawed their way back from a half-time deficit to take all three points against OMP United.
Substitute Tiarnan Mulvenna proved to be the hero, coming off the bench to secure what could be a priceless victory with a fierce strike worthy of winning any match with just nine minutes to play.
The result moves the Blues into third place, three points behind Boyne Harps and Trim Celtic with seven games to play. Next up is a local derby with bogey side Quay Celtic this Friday night.
With first choice goalkeepers Michael Cooney and David Cooney both injured, captain Jimmy Cooney was drafted between the posts despite not being fully recovered from a niggling calf injury that has kept him out since October.
Second placed Boyne Harps’ 4–1 victory over Duleek on Thursday night left Muirhevnamor with little room for error and the champions got off to a flying start.
Ben McLaughlin, deployed on the right-flank, picked out his fellow winger, Brendan Hughes, at the far post and his header back across goal was finished by the ever reliable Mickey O’Kane.
With former Dundalk FC defender Nathan Murphy looking solid on his debut, the hosts rarely looked like threatening stand-in goalkeeper Cooney with Jamie Blake and David Bowens firing well off the mark from distance.
However, much to Muirhevnamor’s disbelief, OMP went in 2–1 ahead at the break, scoring with their only two efforts on target, a penalty by Blake followed by a superb team goal; Bowens applying the finish.
Sean Maguire’s side dominated the second-half and the manager’s decision to make a double substitution and introduce Padraig Hearty and Mulvenna paid off when Billy Smith levelled matters from the penalty spot in the 71st minute after a sustained period of pressure.
With so much firepower on the pitch, Muirhevnamor shifted to three at the back and pressed forward for another goal with Mulvenna hitting what proved to be the winner when he smacked home a stunning effort on the half-volley.
A bad tackle saw Mulvenna limp off to be replaced by Conor Gorman before the death but with a four-man defence back in place, and Adrian Rafferty, in particular, putting in a man-of-the-match performance, Muirhevnamor held on to remain within striking distance of the top two.
MUIRHEVNAMOR: Jimmy Cooney, Brian Begley, Chris Caulfield, Adrian Rafferty, Nathan Murphy (Padraig Hearty), Ben McLaughlin (Stephen Fisher), Colin Hoey (Stephen Smith), Philip Duffy, Brendan Hughes (Tiarnan Mulvenna) (Conor Gorman), Mickey O’Kane, Billy Smith.
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