U12: Sharkey steals the show with a hat trick for title chasing Bellurgan
Bellurgan United 6–2 Ardee Celtic
Bellurgan United caused an upset in the U12 Premier Division on Tuesday night as they romped to victory over title favourites Ardee Celtic at Tom Flynn Park.
This was Ardee’s third outing in six days — they beat Shamrocks 1–4 last Thursday and leaders Rock Celtic 3–0 on Sunday — and the mid-Louth side were clear favourites going into this game.
However, a determined Bellurgan proved to be genuine title contenders themselves after a fully deserved win.
“This is a big result for us,” beamed Bellurgan manager Tiernan Mallon after the game.
“Ardee are a great team and nobody gave us a chance but we are very pleased with the performance and it’s a big three points for us.”
The hosts started on the front foot and they opened the scoring in the 11th minute when player of the match James Sharkey’s free kick was deflected into the net off an unfortunate defender.
Bellurgan goalkeeper Ciaran Cotter produced a good save to deny James Maguire an equaliser six minutes later but the sides were level at 1–1 when Maguire’s corner was volleyed home by Sean Callaghan.
Ardee should have taken the lead in the 19th minute when Callaghan nicked the ball off Bellurgan’s last man back, Sean Hoey, but this time he fired wide.
Hoey made amends for the error shortly after when his free kick from distance was mistimed by Ardee Celtic goalkeeper Andrew Wogan and landed in the back of the net.
The hosts went 3–1 ahead just before half-time when Cormac Mallon was fouled outside the penalty area and Kyle Murphy’s free kick was forced home by James Sharkey.
Maguire fired an early chance wide for Ardee in the second half but Bellurgan opened a three-goal gap when James Sharkey completed his hat-trick in the 39th minute with a contender for goal of the season.
At least 25 yards out when he latched onto a clever pass from Thomas McCaragher, Sharkey hit the ball first time with probably the sweetest strike of the season to make it 4–1.
Ardee responded with another goal from Callaghan, who also hit a fine strike to the top corner to make it 4–2 but Bellurgan put the game out of Ardee’s reach when a Sean Hoey free flew into the roof of the net for another quality goal.
And the scoring was completed when the hard working McCaragher scored five minutes from time to make it 6–2 and secure Bellurgan a big win.
BELLURGAN UNITED: Ciaran Cotter, Sean Hoey, Cillian Keenan, Liadan Clynch, Brian Boyle, Kyle Murphy, Cormac Mallon, James Sharkey, Thomas McCaragher, Ryan McArdle, Joey McMahon, Evan Dunne.
ARDEE CELTIC: Andrew Wogan, Oisin Roe, Tom Kelly, Nathan Commins, Jake Corrigan, James Maguire, Oisin Dowdall, Shane Courtney, Darragh Roe, Sean Callaghan, Tadhg McDonnell, Liam Myles, James Sands.
REFEREE: Niall Minto.
