Slaney Rovers 4

Ballymurphy Celtic 1

Rovers impressive home record continues as Celtic became the latest team to leave Rathvilly pointless.

The visitors began well enough with Declan Brennan going close with an early header but two quick goals for the hosts rocked them on their heels. 15 minutes in and Aaron Broughall’s corner was headed home by Daniel O’Brien for the opening score. It got better for Rovers five minutes later as Mick Foley applied the finishing touch to a superb centre from Seanie Furlong. Celtic responded well and will count themselves unlucky not to have got on the scoresheet before the break, Brennan again going close before Kevin Foley was denied by a fine stop from the Slaney keeper on the stroke of half time.

Ballymurphy were on the front foot early in the second half but despite creating good openings for both Anto Jordan and Alan Curran they couldn’t convert and with 20 minutes left Rovers made them pay dearly. Eoin Curran and Dominic Byrne carved open the Celtic rear guard for Daniel O’Brien to net his second and Rovers third to make it 3-0. With five minutes left on the clock Celtic did finally convert a chance, Anto Jordan netting to reduce the arrears but any notions of a comeback were quickly dashed as Kyle Byrne finished off the scoring for Rovers to make it 4-1 at the final whistle.

Colm O’Connor, Eoin Curran and Stephen Farrell impressed for the winners while Ben Coleman, Anto Jordan and Declan Brennan were best for Celtic.