U17 | Redeemer cause an upset in Bellurgan

U17 Premier Division | Bellurgan United 1–2 Redeemer

Action from the Bellurgan United v Redeemer U17 Premier Division game at Tom Flynn Park on Thursday night

Redeemer caused an upset in the Dundalk Schoolboys League U17 Premier Division when they returned from the peninsula with all three points after beating Bellurgan United at Tom Flynn Park on Thursday night.

Bellurgan knew that they needed full points from their remaining two games if they were to have any hope of catching league leaders Rock Celtic but their title hopes were extinguished by the Redeemer boys.

The hosts enjoyed plenty of the ball in a frantic opening half but they were frustrated by a hard-working Redeemer defence led by Anton Donnelly, Kyle Duffy, Brandon Caraher and stand-in goalkeeper Colm Bracken who all deserve major credit for keeping their opponents at bay.

Bellurgan did create two clear scoring opportunities in the first half but Gavin Gregory’s free-kick bounced off the top of the crossbar and another well struck free by Oliver McGuinness was deflected away by the Redeemer wall.

The visitors played with intent and gradually began to create chances and Jordan Traynor was unlucky in the 26th minute to see his goalbound effort pushed around the post by Brendan O’Hagan.

Bellurgan didn’t heed the warning and Redeemer made the breakthrough on the stroke of half-time when Sean Quigley was fouled just inside the area, allowing Kevin McCormack the chance to neatly tuck away the resulting penalty and make it 0–1.

Redeemer scored from another set piece four minutes after the break when Brandon Caraher’s near post header from Tiernan Moran’s corner kick found the back of the net.

Bellurgan reduced the deficit three minutes later when Colm Farrell slipped a pass into the path of Oliver McGuinness who slotted past Bracken.

Bellurgan manager Alan Hoey emptied his bench to get something from the game but there was no moving Redeemer with the powerful Sam Ola winning most of the midfield battle.

A rare defensive error gifted Colm Farrell a chance in the closing minutes but his effort was tipped away by the alert Bracken as Redeemer held on to take the win.

BELLURGAN UNITED: Brendan O’Hagan, Alex O’Hagan, Dylan Grey, Andrew Byrne, Marc Murphy, Barry Dunne, Shane O’Brien, Gavin Gregory, Oliver McGuinness, Daniel McDonald, Colm Farrell, Johnny Rice, Cain Mullen, Luca Grennan, Shane McAvinney, Eoghan O’Connor.

REDEEMER: Colm Bracken, Anton Donnelly, Stephen Ryland, Kyle Duffy, Brandon Caraher, Sam Ola, James Clinton, Tiernan Moran, Kevin McCormack, Sean Quigley, Dylan Mellon, Jordan Traynor, Kieran Dollard.

REFEREE: Denis Dullaghan.