Second-half surge sees Bonagee take comfortable win over Keadue

A Gareth Harkin penalty sent Bonagee United on their way to a routine victory over Keadue Rovers at Dry Arch Park on Saturday night.

Harkin converted from the spot in the 11th minute, but it was three second-half goals - netted by Tommy McMonagle, Aidan Brennan and Adam Rodgers - that put the issue to bed.

By then, Keadue were down to 10 men with Martin Ferry having been sent off after the half-time whistle had blown.

The Central Park men are in a battle to avoid relegation while Bonagee were attempting to throw some fuel onto a title challenge which received a few considerable chinks across recent outtings.

Michael Funston’s men, shaken by a 2-0 loss at Donegal Town in their last Premier Division outing, began well and they hit the front after Ferry took down Brennan as he sped inside the penalty box.

There were few complaints as referee Patrick Martin pointed to the spot and showed Ferry a yellow card. The experienced Harkin was the picture of cool on a chilly night under the Dry Arch floodlights as he slotted to the bottom corner.

Adam Rodgers celebrates his goal for Bonagee United

Keadue did have an early chance, Aidan McHugh curling wide from the edge of the area just moments before Bonagee bagged the opener.

Bonagee had plenty of good moments in good areas, but couldn’t double the advantage.

Josh Maxwell had one chance from a Brennan cross, but was unable to apply the finish while Keadue ‘keeper Shane Graham saved well from Micheal Doherty late in the half. 

It wasn't completely one-way traffic in the opening period, however, and Bonagee were indebted to goalkeeper Andrew Nicholls for a superb save to thwart Chis Greene on the half hour.

Nicholls had denied McHugh, at the expense of a corner. From Mark Forker’s teasing set-piece, Greene rose to power goalwards only for Nicholls to reach up and turn over the top.

McHugh’s ambitious effort flew wide in the closing minutes of part one, which ended on a sour note with Ferry handed his second yellow and the accompanying red following an incident that saw Micheal Doherty grounded just after the referee blew for the interval.

Just two minutes after the re-start Shay Maloney’s corner was headed in by McMonagle and it felt like a huge moment in the night - and so it proved.

In the 63rd minute, Bonagee added another as Brennan - signed from Keadue at the start of the season - headed in after a Harkin free came off the bar.

Ten minutes from the end, substitute Rodgers tucked home a fine first senior goal to complete a good night at the office for the home side.

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Bonagee United: Andrew Nicholls, Codey Brogan, Eoghan Doherty (Iarlaith Duffy 74), Tommy McMonagle, Ciaran Kelly, Gareth Harkin (Luca Barrett 76), Aidan Brennan, Matthew McLaughlin (Dan O’Donnell 59), Josh Maxwell (Adam Rodgers 66), Shay Maloney (Sean Hume 85), Micheal Doherty.

Keadue Rovers: Shane Graham, Brian Proctor, Brendan McCafferty, Chris Greene, Martin Ferry, Mark Forker, Dylan Boyle (Dmytro Serhieiv 81), Oisin McDowell (Adam McCaffrey 47), Aidan McHugh (Oran Fallon 61), Michael Greene, Peter McGee. 

Referee: Patrick Martin.