Fintown Harps stick nine past Cockhill Celtic to progress in Ulster Junior Shield

Fintown Harps produced an outstanding performance to ease past Cockhill Celtic 9-1 at Pairc Acla on Saturday afternoon to progress to the next round of the Ulster Junior Shield. 

Fintown Harps 9 Cockhill Celtic 1 

The hosts began the contest brightly and continued this momentum throughout the game. The opening goal came after ten minutes. 

The ball fell to the feet of Declan Roper and he fizzed a shot from 25 yards into the top corner. 

Cockhill Celtic, who were beaten 9-1 away to Fintown Harps on Sunday

Seven minutes later, Fintown’s lead was doubled. This time the ball found its way to Keelan McMonagle on the edge of the box and the midfielder fired the ball into the bottom corner. 

On 23 minutes, Paddy Molloy’s men added a third. A smart free kick from Jamie McMonagle slipped John Molloy through on goal and he tucked the ball past Lee McColgan to leave his side in a commanding position. 

On 36 minutes, Fintown’s fourth goal arrived. A superb long ball found the run of Jamie McMonagle and the speedy winger was taken down by Lee McColgan inside the box and Colm McConigley pointed to the spot. McMonagle himself took the spot kick and he blasted it home. 

On the stroke of half time, the home side found a fifth through another set piece. Dermot Gallagher struck the ball low towards goal and his effort took a nick off the ball and ended up in the bottom corner to leave the match outcome beyond doubt at the break. 

The hosts came out after the restart and continued their constant pressure on the Cockhill goal. Ten minutes into the second period Paddy Molloy’s men struck the back of the net again through substitute Dylan McGlynn. 

McGlynn received the ball, turned superbly and let fly from distance and his outstanding shot rifled past Lee McColgan to stretch their advantage to six.

Cockhill to their credit continued to battle and got their just rewards on the hour mark when they were awarded a penalty when Joe Lavery was fouled in the box. Sean Bradley stepped up and slotted it down the middle of the goal. 

The home side’s eye for goal wasn’t over yet however, and they continued their onslaught of the Cockhill goal. 

On 64 minutes, Dermot Gallagher played a perfectly weighted pass to find the onrushing Keelan McMonagle and he slid the ball into the net. Substitute Joe Smith impressed after his arrival into action and he bagged a brace. 

On 67 minutes, Smith was on hand to tap home a rebound after left back Michael Doherty had rattled the upright. 10 minutes from time Smith added the game's last goal as he was found by Sean Doherty and Smith made no mistake in slotting home from six yards. 

Referee Colm McConigley soon called an end to proceedings to mark an emphatic victory for Paddy Molloy and his Fintown Harps side. 

Fintown Harps: Karl O’Brien; Micheal McKelvey (Sean Doherty, 61), John Molloy, John McGlynn, Micheal Doherty, Declan Roper, Dermot Gallagher, Keelan McMonagle, Jamie McMonagle (Joe Smith, 54), Aaron Thompson (Dylan McGlynn, 51), Steve Boyle (Odhran McCallig, 67). 

Cockhill Celtic: Lee McColgan; Kieran McCallion (Pauric McBride, HT), Ciaran McNulty, Sean Bradley (Noah Doherty, 63), Shay Devlin, Liam McDaid, Cahir McDaid, Patrick Sliageris (Ciaran Bradley, HT), Joe Lavery (Cameron Robertson, 67), Niall Breslin (James Crawford, 67), James Porter (Shayne Gallagher, HT). 

Referee: Colm McConigley.