Donegal Schoolboys U16 Champions League
Gweedore Celtic 0-2 Eany Celtic
Eany Celtic U16s qualified for the semi-finals of the Donegal Schoolboy’s Champion’s League for only the second time in the club’s history after a couple of late goals from Jack Byrne and Nathan Maxwell saw them beat Gweedore Celtic to grab second spot in their group.
It was an entertaining game with Eany knowing that only a win would be good enough to see them qualify. Early in the first half Eany forward Loughlan Mulroy got away from his marker only to see his left-footed strike ricochet off the post.
It was Gweedore though who were playing most of the football and they will consider themselves unlucky not to have taken the lead on a number of occasions.
The second half saw a resurgent Eany emerge and just as it looked as though the game was swinging their way Gweedore broke and only for a fine save from the Eany keeper, Enda O’Hagan, they would have taken the lead.
As time wore on the home side began to tire and the introduction of Conor Campbell and Jack Byrne into the forward line alongside Loughlan Mulroy gave the Eany attack new impetus.
In the 72nd minute Campbell linked up with Mulroy down the right-hand side, Mulroy crossed and Jack Byrne wasted no time in dispatching the ball into the Gweedore net.
Eany continued to press and with only 2 minutes left on the clock Mark Hutchinson’s cross from the left found Nathan Maxwell who calmly beat his marker and fired home from 10 yards.
Referee Tony McNamee who gave a masterclass in refereeing brought matters to a conclusion and the Eany players and supporters celebrated their progression to the semi-final after hearing of Keadue’s 1-0 defeat of Lagan.
Eany go on to meet Group B winners Cappry Rovers to determine who will take their place in the final.
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