Photo by Square United FC
Fyffes Premier Division
Rampart Celtic 2-0 Muirhevnamor FC
This was a game that Rampart had to win to keep their title hopes very much alive. They set about their task with great intent, and it took three outstanding saves from Tiernan McElroy to keep the game scoreless after 30 minutes of play.
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Towards the end of the first half, Muirhevnamor struck the upright, the nearest they came to scoring before half-time. The second half saw Steven Sharkey strike twice for the title challengers.
The first goal arrived in the 62nd minute, a low shot past the despairing dive of the Blues keeper.
On 76 minutes, Sharkey, with a similar strike as his first, made the game and the precious three points safe, to bring them within three points of leaders Carlingford, with both sides left with two games to play. They meet in the final league match, after Carlingford play Faughart and Rampart meets Bay.
Carlingford Celtic 5-0 Faughart Rovers
The big win over Faughart Rovers means that Carlingford need only draw with Rampart Celtic in their last game to clinch the League title, that's assuming that Rampart beat Bay in their penultimate match.
At the moment, six points separate the teams. Carlingford sit on 42 points from 15 games played, while Rampart have 36 points from 14 games played.
Peter Shields recorded his second hat-trick of the season as he led the hoops to a 5-0 victory. He went top of the goal scorers' chart with 19 strikes this season, moving him three ahead of Muirhevamor’s Mick O Kane, who has 16 goals to his credit.
Richie McGee, with his 5th goal this season, and Enda O'Niell, with his third, got the home side's other scores. Carlingford's other league wins came in 1975 and 1976.
Already the Clancy Cup rests on the trophy mantle, and with the McConville cup to come, it could be a treble season for the Peninsula men.
FIXTURES
Tuesday, 23rd September: Redeemer Celtic FC v Muirhevnamor FC. Muirhevnamor Astro Pitch. Kick-off 8.10pm
In their head-to-head encounters, these two teams have played one match previously. Muirhevnamor FC emerged victorious in that encounter, securing the only win between the teams.
Looking at their recent matches, Muirhevnamor FC won against Redeemer Celtic with a score of 3-2 in their most recent meeting.
Assessing the recent form of both teams, Redeemer Celtic has struggled with consecutive losses, including a recent defeat against Bay FC.
Meanwhile, Muirhevnamor FC has had a mixed run of results, with wins against Faughart Rovers and losses to teams like Rampart Celtic and Square United.
In the current league standings, Muirhevnamor FC sits in sixth place with 14 points from 14 matches, having won four, drawn two, and lost eight games.
On the other hand, Redeemer Celtic is in 8th place with seven points from 15 matches, having won two, drawn one, and lost 12 games.
Wednesday, 24th September: Rampart Celtic v Bay FC. Muirhevnamor Astro. Kick-off 8.00 pm
Rampart Celtic will face Bay FC in what promises to be an exciting encounter. In their head-to-head history, these two teams have played only one match, with Rampart Celtic emerging victorious.
Rampart Celtic has a perfect record against Bay FC, having won the only encounter between the two sides. Looking at their recent performances, Rampart Celtic has been in good form with two wins, two draws, and one loss in their last five matches.
On the other hand, Bay FC has shown inconsistency with two wins, one draw, and two losses in their last five outings.
In the current standings Rampart Celtic sits comfortably in second place with 36 points from 14 matches, while Bay FC is in fifth place with 19 points from 13 matches.
Saturday, 27th September: Carrick Rovers v Bay FC. Ballybay Road. Kick-off 4.00pm
Saturday, 27th September: Square United v Faughart Rovers. HOME WALKOVER
Top goal scorers
Peter Shields (Carlingford) 19 Goals, Micky O Kane (Muirhevnamor) 16 Goals, Ross Gaynor (Square) 12 Goals, Eddie Duffy (Carlingford) 12 Goals, Colm Bracken (Bay F.C.) 11 Goals, Arthur Sands (Square) 10 Goals, Daniel Duffy (Muirhevnamor) 9 Goals, Joe Dunne (Carlingford) 9 Goals, Benny Osbourne (Square) 7 Goals, Gino Cooney (Bay) 7 Goals, Steven O'Rourke (Carrick) 7 Goals, Ryan Marron (Carrick) 7 Goals, Steven Sharkey (Rampart) 7 Goals.
Hat-tricks
Micky O Kane (Muirhevnamor) 3, William Opoku (Bay F.C.) 2, Arthur Sands (Square) 2, Peter Shields (Carlingford) 2, Yassir Abee Maxamed (Rampart) 1, Aidan McGuiness (Rampart) 1, Daniel Duffy (Muirhevnamor) 1, Steven Becley (Rampart) 1, Eddie Duffy (Carlingford) 1, Joe Dunne (Carlingford) 1, Colm Bracken (Bay F.C.) 1, Richie McGee (Carlingford C.) 1, Benny Osbourne (Square) 1, Sahnoon Buye (Haynestown) 1.
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