Muirhevnamor and Quay Celtic advance in McConville Cup

McConville Cup 1st round

Muirhevnamor 2 Shamrocks 3

After a scoreless first half this match burst into life 12 minutes into the second period when Ray McCann scored from a free kick to put the visitors ahead. Minutes later both sides were reduced to 10 men for second yellow cards.

In the 70th minute Dara Akinade doubled the Hoops lead with a well struck low shot, his 8th strike this season. Tyler Chiduzan with the goal of the game brought the Blues back into the game deep into this contest. 

D.D. Reilly with a low strike to the corner of the net reestablished Shamrocks two goal lead three minutes from time, while Toheed Agunbiade buried the ball home from close range, his 11th goal this term setting up a grandstand finish.

However the Blues, 13 times winners of the cup, could not close the gap and exited the competition.

Quay Celtic 3 Rock Celtic 2

Seven times winner of the McConville Cup Quay Celtic edged out three time winners Rock Celtic in a tightly fought cup tie in Clancy Park. The Rocks last appearance in a final was a 3-0 victory against Pearse Celtic in 1998. Quays last lifted the Cup in 2021, courtesy of a 5-0 win over Bay United. 

Three Quay players were scoring their 1st goals this term. Scott Hearty, who opened the scoring, notched no less than 20 goals last season, while Adam McKenna and the recently returned Shaun O'Connor got on the score sheet too.

Pearse Murphy Grimes scored a brace for Rock Celtic to add to his recent League hattrick, but it wasn't enough to keep them in the cup, as the quaysiders marched on to the next round. 

Dundalk and District League

Bellurgan United 1 Rock Celtic 0

A very entertaining League match was played on the pristine surface on Bellurgan's old railway ground.

A fine crowd were treated to some excellent football from both sides, the upright and crossbars along with two excellent saves keeping it a low scoring affair.

In the end it took a second half penalty from John Smith to give the three points to the home side.

Top scorers
Greg Shannon (St Dominic's) 19
Deane Brown (Shamrocks) 12
Gino Cooney (Bay United) 12
Toheeb Agunbiade (Muirhevnamor) 11
Mickey OKane (Muirhevnamor) 10
Eoin Maguire (Glenmuir) 8
Colm Braken (St Dominic's) 8
Dara Akinade (Shamrocks) 8

Hattrick Heroes 
Greg Shannon 4 
Gino Cooney 4
Deane Brown 3
Ryan McDonnell 3
Eoin Maguire 3
Dara Akinade 3
Pearse Murphy Grimes 3
Aaron Mackin 3

Sarah Dyas

Sarah Dyas, the first female referee to take charge of a Dundalk and District League Game in 2016, ran the line in the Woman's World Cup this year. Congratulations Sarah from all connected with the Dundalk and District League.