Sligo Leitrim Boys U-16 Group A match report
Boyle Celtic 3
Manor Rangers 3
By Ronan Flanagan
An injury time penalty gave Boyle Celtic U16s a hard-earned draw at a rain drenched Celtic Park on Saturday.
Despite being two goals down at one stage, Boyle responded admirably and overall deserved something from this encounter.
It was a disastrous start for the home side as Manor opened the scoring after just seven minutes. A failed clearance in the Boyle defence resulted in the away sides number eleven firing the ball to the back of the net.
On twenty minutes, Boyle must have thought they had an equaliser. A searching Stephen Connolly free-kick found the feet of Eoin Connolly, who cannoned a shot off the crossbar.
Manor doubled their lead only minutes later. A long, hopeful clearance by their Goalkeeper, bounced right into the path of number ten whose deft touch found the bottom corner.
Boyle got a goal of their own on thirty-five minutes, as the industrious Alan O’ Connor found Shane Carroll, his shot was saved, only to be rebounded to Jim Harte who tapped in from close range.
HT: Boyle Celtic 1-2 Manor Rangers.
Just after the interval, ‘Celtic equalised. Some quick attacking play, culminated in Darren Foley firing in at the back post to level matters.
As Boyle pressed for a third, Manor found their own. The ball was slipped through to number nine who rifled the ball in.
However, there was to be more drama. Boyle pressed and pressed for an equaliser, two corners were to no avail and many shots tested the ‘Keeper.
Amidst a melee in the box, the home side were awarded a penalty. Darren Foley stepped up and found the bottom corner. That was the last action of the match as it finished Boyle Celtic 3 Manor Rangers 3.
