TOGHER CELTIC 3

CLONAKILTY SC 2

GER McCARTHY REPORTS

TOGHER Celtic ended Clonakilty Soccer Club’s hopes of a third consecutive league and cup double by knocking the Beamish Cup holders out of the competition.

In-form Togher were full value for their victory at the conclusion of a five-goal quarter-final thriller at Canon Crowley Park on Sunday. Goals from Cathal Daly, Jamie Lucey and Donnacha Collins fired Togher into the last four.

Still in the hunt for three trophies, the winners also landed a psychological blow in this year’s Premier Division title race by overcoming the reigning champions ahead of their looming end-of-season showdown.

As Clonakilty lost a Beamish Cup tie for the first time since a first-round penalty shootout defeat to Bunratty United in February 2023, this was all about Togher’s terrific win – one that delighted manager Johnny Collins.

‘That monkey is off our back now, as Clonakilty had beaten us eight or nine times on the trot,’ Collins told The Southern Star.

‘I thought we were the better team in the first half but, in fairness to Clon, they dominated midfield in the second. Look, we are on a great run but have nothing won yet. We haven’t won a Premier Division since 1995 or a Beamish Cup since 2019. We will keep our feet on the ground and, hopefully, be there or thereabouts.’

Clonakilty's Chris Collins fires the ball past Togher Celtic goalkeeper Ciarán Murray from the penalty spot. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

Joe Edmead brought the best out of Togher goalkeeper Ciarán Murray early on, with Alan Murphy firing the rebound wide as Clon settled quickly. But Togher are not top of the Premier Division for nothing, and Peter Collins curled a free-kick inches wide in response.

Celtic produced some excellent approach work throughout the opening half. Cathal Daly, Donnacha Collins and Paudie Crowley’s distribution kept Clon on the back foot, with Collins firing a shot beyond the target.

Clon underlined their quality with a slick move that ended with Chris Collins flashing an effort wide.

The contest remained scoreless until the 30-minute mark. Donnacha Collins caused persistent problems down Clonakilty’s right flank and another searing run ended with a dangerous cross. With Clon’s defence failing to clear, Cathal Daly pounced to chip a delicious effort into the net.

Unable to mount a response, the Beamish Cup holders fell 2-0 behind five minutes before the break.

Clonakilty Soccer Club's Joe Edmead is challenged by Togher Celtic's Eoin Murray. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

Penalised for a back pass picked up by goalkeeper Adam O’Regan, Clon conceded an indirect free-kick on the edge of their six-yard box. Cathal Daly rolled the ball to Jamie Lucey, who hammered into the roof of the net.

Things were looking bleak for Clonakilty until a Togher handball in first-half injury time resulted in a penalty. Chris Collins made no mistake to set up an intriguing second half.

Admirably, Togher shook off the concession of that goal and restored their two-goal advantage one minute after the restart. Jamie Lucey’s cross was headed home by Donnacha Collins to make it 3-1.

Peter Collins should have added to Celtic’s total but blazed over with the goal at his mercy.

Clonakilty had loud penalty appeals waved away before a set-piece delivered the quarter-final’s fifth goal. Reuben Henry rose highest to head home Chris Collins’ corner and set up a tense finale.

The cup holders pressed higher, with Chris Collins guiding a free-kick past an upright and Ciarán Murray denying Luka Mohan. A Tomás Batterberry cross ended with Joe Edmead’s diving header striking a post as Clon’s attacks intensified.

But this was Togher’s day. The eventual winners defended marvellously and almost caught their opponents on the counter-attack before the final whistle sounded.

So, a remarkable Togher Celtic season continues as they move forward to a Beamish Cup semi-final meeting with Drinagh Rangers and remain firmly in the hunt for Premier Division league and cup honours.

Togher Celtic: Ciarán Murray, Jamie Lucey, Kevin Cotter, Ian Crowley, Peter Collins, Cathal Daly (captain), Luke Hurley, Eoin Murray, Paudie Crowley, Brian Horgan, Donnacha Collins.

Subs: Seamus Crowley, Patrick Collins, Niall Hurley, Gavin Farr, Patrick Collins, Robbie Lucey, Conor Horgan.

Clonakilty Soccer Club: Adam O’Regan, Odhran Bancroft, Rob Downey, Eoin Murphy, Joe Edmead, Chris Collins, James O’Donovan, Ethan Draper, Mark Irwin, Reuben Henry (captain), Alan Murphy.

Subs: James Calnan, Tomás Batterberry, Cal O’Mahony, Charlie McShane, Luka Mohan, Iain O’Driscoll, Ben McCarthy Shields.

Referee: Colin Clancy.