SBYL u13s
St Mary’s FC 7-1 Celtic Bhoys
St Mary’s made the short trip to Mallusk on Saturday to face West Belfast side Celtic Bhoys,
St Mary’s rued a stuttering start to their league campaign last year and appeared determined to get more points on the board early in the season.
Oran McNaughton fired an early chance wide fro St Mary’s but the wait for the first goal wasn’t long in coming when on twelve minutes, Ross’ corner was cut back by Conor Bannon and Cathal McGarrity stabbed the ball home.
A long Celtic punt had Morgan back pedalling but happy to see the ball drift narrowly wide of the target but from their next attack the sides were level as the St Mary’s defence failed to get in a telling challenge as the Celtic striker waltzed through to level.
St Mary’s made an early change with O’Reilly trudging off to be replaced by Aidan Quinn and the substitution had the desired effect as Quinn produced an exquisite turn before teeing up McGarrity for his second goal of the day.
St Mary’s turned the screw and Patrick Ross produced a screaming half volleyed effort which left the Celtic goalie on the seat of his pants as the net bulged to increase St Mary’s lead as half time approached.
Celtic Bhoys had been a stiff test for St Mary’s in the first period but St Mary’s took control as the second half resumed with Jack Parke running his socks up up front leaving McCormick and Breen to mop up any loose balls at the back.
On forty minutes Bannon was unlucky when his effort rattled the bar but Oran McNaughton was first to react and put the ball over the line as the over worked Celtic back line wilted. But Bannon got on the score sheet soon after when getting on the end of a Ross free kick.
Skipper Ross added another goal from long range leaving Cathal McGarrity to wrap up the scoring when completing his hat-trick in the closing minutes to edge St Mary’s to the top of the table
