NI Intermediate League Challenge Cup QF
A solid, workmanlike performance from Draperstown saw them through a difficult quarter final tie away to Mountjoy. Despite having had a comfortable league win at home to the same opposition a few weeks ago, Celtic knew this would be a difficult game against a much more physical side. The key to the win was Draperstown’s ability to take advantage of the few chances they created and also the performances of keeper Marcin Farniouk and Ryan Sinclair in midfield. Farniouk, brought in for the non availability of McConnell was the busier of the two keepers but unlike Gillfiillen in the home goals, he was safe in all that he did. An absolutely superb save from Derek Matthew’s free kick on 57 minutes went he score was 0 -0 was only bettered by his penalty save from Gibson in the 90th minute when Celtic were leading by 2-0. But it is goals which win games and Sinclair was instrumental in both to round off his best performance to date in a Celtic shirt.
Mountjoy certainly enjoyed the better of the first half and they certainly had the majority of the possession. Adams was prominent for them on the right hand side and he was helped by good performances from Bute, Thompson and Gibson. The latter in particular looked the most likely to score for the home side, but he never really tested Farniouk in Celtic’s goal despite having a couple of good opportunities. Conway and Sinclair were holding their own in the Celtic midfield as the visitors grew in confidence. Gillfillen saved from Emmett McKillion while Sinclair was narrowly wide with a header from a Bradley corner.
The second half saw Celtic replace Seamus Quinn with Gareth Haskins who was forced off with a back injury sustained in the last minutes of the first half and the first ten minutes again saw the home side in the ascendency, but without creating good openings as Darren McKillion and Ally McLean were solid in the heart of the Draperstown defence. Mountjoy almost took the lead on 57 minutes when Derek Matthews curled in a great free kick but Farniouk pulled off a remarkable save to touch the ball onto the bar and away. Mountjoy were still wondering how the score was still 0-0 when Sinclair took the game by the scruff of the neck on the hour mark. His shot from 25 yards appeared to have beaten Gillfillen all ends up but the keeper somehow pushed the ball onto the cross bar and as Eamon Murray looked to score from the rebound Gillfillen kicked the ball clear for the corner. But there was to be no reprieve for the home side. Haskins’ corner was not cleared and Gavin Bradley scored from close range. Six minutes later and it was 2-0. Sinclair again picked up possession in midfield, sublimely strove forward and from 25 yards struck a stunning strike past Gillfillen. A goal worthy to win any game and well deserved from a player whose Celtic’s career has been blighted by injury this season.
The final 20 minutes saw Mountjoy attempt to get back into the game. Celtic had to replace the hard working Gary Conway and Emmett McKillion who were both injured and this allowed the home side to begin to dominate possession again. Farniouk saved well from a David Matthews’ header while Haskins did well to prevent the same player from scoring at the near post. However as the game entered injury time, the referee awarded a penalty kick for an innocuous challenge but Farniouk dived to his left to parry Gibson’s spot kick. The last few minutes saw Celtic create a couple of good opportunities to score a third but they were more than happy with a two nil win which moves them into the semi final for the second season running.
The semi-final will be held on Saturday 17th April in Templemore, Derry against Oxford Utd Stars.
