U14 | McEnteggart magic helps the Seasiders to U14 Dundalk FC Cup glory
U14 Dundalk FC Cup final | Rock Celtic 2–0 Quay Celtic
A moment of magic by substitute Evan McEnteggart tilted the U14 Dundalk FC Cup final in Rock Celtic’s favour against Quay Celtic on Sunday afternoon.
Both sides were far from at their best in a tight game but McEnteggart gave the healthy crowd at Bellew Park something to really applaud in the ninth minute of the second-half.
Nothing looked on when a clearance by Quay Celtic goalkeeper Con O’Donoghue looped into the air but McEnteggart met it full on the volley to smack an unstoppable drive into the back of the net to break the deadlock.
It was something of a quiet final up to that point with both sides struggling to find any sort of fluency in their game.
Seasiders striker Cillian Duffy looked a threat throughout and he had a couple of bites at an early opportunity but just couldn’t force his effort past O’Donoghue.
Quay settled and a clever through ball by Sean Cunningham put Craig Gray in between the Rock Celtic centre-backs but a heavy touch saw the ball roll kindly into the hands of goalkeeper, and Blackrock captain, Jack Donohue.
Rock Celtic looked the more likely and Gavin Lynch fired over with a good opening at the far post before Eric Shields also went close with a free-kick.
Duffy almost scored the goal of the weekend after picking the ball up in midfield and running at the Quay defence but he was stopped by O’Donoghue.
The half came to a close seconds after Aaron McArdle pulled an effort wide for the Point Road side.
McEnteggart was introduced at the break and it was the Blackrock side who continued to have the better of the chances with Duffy missing the target after Quay had failed to clear a free-kick.
The breakthrough arrived nine minutes into the half when McEnteggart rifled a sensational volley past Donohue to put Rock Celtic ahead, a goal worthy of winning any final.
Ronan Farrelly’s side went in search of a second and Daniel Nordone, after a storming run from the back, Mark Gallagher and Shields all threatened the Quay goal before Gallagher saw an effort come back off the post.
Despite showing plenty of endeavour, Joe McGeown’s players just couldn’t find a way through the Rock Celtic backline and the result was put to bed in the final minute when Duffy got the goal his performance deserved with a cool finish.
ROCK CELTIC: Jack Donohue, Conor Monaghan, Gavin Lynch, Adam Hoban, Daniel Nordone, Jamie Callan, Tadgh Carr, Cillian Duffy, Layo Adebanjo, Mark Gallagher. Subs: Eric Shields, Dipo Stevens, Evan McEnteggart, Gavin Lynch.
QUAY CELTIC: Con O’Donoghue, Liam Corbett, Callum Smith, Lewis McKeown, Sean Cunningham, Adam McSkiane, Aaron McArdle, Oisin Breen, Andrei Lubimovs, Craig Gray. Subs: Oisin Monaghan, Jack Crawford, Tiernan Watters, Brendan Waiharo, Darren O’Malley, Alan O’Reilly, Lee O’Carroll.
REFEREE: Eoin Quigley.
ASSISTANTS: Frank Brennan, Niall Minto.
