U13 | Third time luck as Rock Celtic overcome Quay Celtic to lift the title

U13 Premier Division | Quay Celtic 1–3 Rock Celtic

Rock Celtic pictured after winning the U13 Premier Division title at Clancy Park

After finishing as runners-up to Quay Celtic for the past two seasons, Rock Celtic made it third time lucky as they clinched the U13 Premier Division title with a 3–1 win over their rivals at Clancy Park on Wednesday night.

The Seasiders only needed a point to take the trophy back to Blackrock but they won it in style with a second half performance that proved to be too good for a spirited Quay Celtic team who had to win the game to have any chance of winning the league.

Quay Celtic were the better side in the first half although few clear chances were created with defences well on top. Jack Watters and Cathal Bradley threatened for the hosts but the best chance of the opening half fell to Rock Celtic’s Evan McEnteggart who fired wide narrowly wide before the break.

The deadlock was broken four minutes into the second half when a lightning Rock Celtic attack ended with Evan Durnin whipping in a low cross intended for the menacing figure of McEnteggart. However, the ball was deflected past Daniel Shields by Quay Celtic defender Oisin Coleman.

The teams were level at 1–1 just two minutes later when Coleman made amends at the other end, firing past Niall Brennan after two goalbound attempts by Kieran McArdle and Sam Malone were blocked.

Both sides pressed for a winner and Morgan Tobin was outstanding in defence for the hosts while Sean Reynolds had a cracking game in the Rock Celtic midfield.

The Blackrock side hit the front six minutes from time when a Mark Leavy free kick was steered home by Evan McEnteggart, leaving little time for Quay to make another comeback.

And Rock wrapped up the win with a third goal in the final minute when Cian Sheridan let fly from all of 30 yards to find the roof of the net with the goal of the game.

QUAY CELTIC: Daniel Shields, Conall O’Callaghan, Evan Wynne, Morgan Tobin, Conaill Savage, Kieran McArdle, Jack Watters, Cathal Bradley, Scott Hearty, Oisin Coleman, Sam Malone, Conor Devlin, Dillon O’Neill, Nathan Quinn.

ROCK CELTIC: Niall Brennan, Darragh O’Gradaigh, Sean Gartland, Mark Leavy, Jai Akhal, Sean Reynolds, Sebastian McGeough, Nathan Todd, Evan Durnin, Evan McEnteggart, Barragh Duffy, Cillian Walls, Eddie Territt, Cian Sheridan.

REFEREE: Colm McConville.