U17 | Glenmuir’s comeback rocks Ardee Celtic’s title aspirations

U17 Premier Division | Glenmuir United 4–1 Ardee Celtic

Ardee Celtic‘s John McGahon makes a tackle on Glenmuir’s Cian O’Donoghue. PICTURE: CIARAN CULLIGAN

A stunning second half recovery gave Glenmuir United a surprise win in the Dundalk Schoolboys League U17 Premier Division on Wednesday night as the Blues put a huge dent in Ardee Celtic’s title aspirations.

The mid-Louth side knew that three three points from this game would put them on top of the table going into Saturday’s title decider against Rock Celtic at Sandy Lane.

However, they will now make the journey to Blackrock knowing that only a win will be enough to take the title back to Townparks.

The visitors were well on top in the first half but had only one goal to show for their superiority.

It came in the 18th minute when former Glenmuir player Jamie Farrell’s first time volley flew past Ify Kwelele after a Tristan Knowles free kick.

The same two Ardee players combined again minutes later but this time Farrell’s final effort flew wide of the upright.

Glenmuir settled into the game and Ben Kapinga should have equalised on 26 minutes when he got on the end of Rory Phelan’s corner kick but he missed the target.

Action from the U17 Premier Division game between Glenmuir United and Ardee Celtic on Wednesday night. PICTURES: CIARAN CULLIGAN

Three minutes later Glenmuir levelled when Cian O’Donoghue’s free kick was headed past Mark Ward by Jamie Doherty

Ardee responded positively and Jamie Farrell flashed a shot inches wide of the post just before the break and Ben Blakemore and Jordan Smith both had chances cleared off the line by Glenmuir defender Aaron Fee in a frantic start to the second half.

The Deesiders looked likely to push on and win the game but all that changed on 51 minutes when Glenmuir scored after another O’Donoghue free kick was poked home by the unmarked Melvin Onu.

Rilwan Ibrahim then put Glenmuir 3–1 ahead when he turned his marker and fired past Mark Ward.

The third goal drained the fight out of Ardee but they almost got one back with a Deco Matthews free but Kwelele dived full length to push the goalbound shot away.

And it was the home team who finished on a high when Rilwan Ibrahim’s cross was powerfully headed home by Daniel Mullen to make it 4–1 and leave Rock Celtic in the driving seat.

GLENMUIR UNITED: Ify Kwelele, Aaron Fee, Tolani Animashaun, Jamie Doherty, Rilwan Ibrahim, Abdul Abubakar, Ben Kapinga, Melvin Onu, Daniel Mullen, Cian O’Donoghue, Rory Phelan.

ARDEE CELTIC: Mark Ward, Oisin McKenna, Deco Matthews, John McGahon, Ben Quaile, Callum McCabe, Jamie Farrell, Brian Maher, Ben Blakemore, Tristan Knowles, Jordan Smith, Seld Meldws, Lorcan Donnelly, Jamie Ward.