County win Shield semi

County win Shield semi

30 April 2025

ROSSGLASS County caused a shock upset as they came from behind twice to beat Celtic Bhoys Academy and seal their place in the final of the Kitroom Shield.

Celtic broke the deadlock through Niall Morrison and looked be cruising towards a half-time lead, only for Ryan Tumelty to equalise on the brink of the interval.

The hosts regained the advantage mid-way through the second half, courtesy of Liam Graham, but a pair of late goals from Ben Lennon snatched progression for the travelling side.

The Bhoys started the game with authority, launching forward in numbers from the first whistle, but they were continually met by commanding goalkeeper Philip Annett.

It took 16 minutes for their first stand-out chance to arrive, when a defensive mix-up allowed Sean Cahill to steam in and snatch the ball.

He went through one-on-one and would have scored, was it not for Annett making himself big.

Minutes later, Morrison broke free down the right and forced a save from the resolute Annett. Cahill ran on to the loose ball and, despite having goal at his mercy, he could only find the crossbar.

Still, the Hoops did not lose faith in their attacking abilities and soon carved out another goal-scoring opportunity.

Niall Morrison juggled his way through the box, flicked over the head of a defender and made space, but Annett ran out and threw himself on the ball.

County eventually grew into the game, creating some attacking rhythm of their own, and really should have opened the scoring. 

Lennon cut the ball back to Tumelty, who dribbled past a sea of home defenders and clipped the woodwork from close range.

The home side knew that was a let-off and came back firing, making amends for their wasted chances with the opening goal of the match.

Taylor Loudon’s searching ball made its way through to Niall Morrison and after the young forward took one touch to set himself, he kept composure to slot home.

With the clock winding down towards half-time, the Bhoys failed to consolidate their lead and the visitors made them pay.

Tumelty made an untracked run to meet Ciaran Morrison’s corner and flick into the top corner, levelling with what was virtually the final kick of the half.

Buoyed by their exploits at the end of the opening period, Rossglass found another gear and came agonisingly close to netting from the restart.

Dylan Duffy delivered a sumptuous cross into the most dangerous of areas and as Lennon lost his man at the back post, the ball bounced away, inches in front of him.

The Hoops were left with heads in hands when they attempted to take advantage of County thinking the ball was out and Matthew McKee dragged wide inside the box.

They must have started to think it was not going to be their day when they broke into a two-on-one and Craig Millar delayed his pass, denying Kyle McKeever a tap in and causing the attack to break down.

The frustration in front of goal continued as the second half wore on, with Cahill slipping Duffy through on goal and Annett denying another certain goal.

Celtic finally found their much-deserved second goal in the 67th minute, when Graham crept into the box and lifted the ball over the onrushing ‘keeper.

Rossglass thought Tumelty had cleared off the line, but referee Peter Kelly pointed to the centre spot, awarding the goal.

The home side were looking comfortable at 2-1 and would have had their eyes on a place in the final. However, County had a few surprises left up their sleeves.

Christopher Hamilton elegantly dribbled past several men in midfield and fed a delightful pass through to Lennon, who opened up his body and calmly curled a shot into the top corner first time.

Momentum took a drastic swing in favour of the visitors after they managed to equalise against the run of play and with just minutes left on the clock they seized their opportunity.

Lennon took advantage of a goalmouth scramble, and subsequent goalkeeping mishap, to power home at the back post, upset the odds and book his side’s place in the decider.

Rossglass County are now one step from glory and will stake their claim against Downpatrick seconds in the final.

Celtic Bhoys: S Moore, C Millar, M McKee, C McMenamin, R Doran, C Curran (captain), T Loudon, K McKeever, S Cahill, C Cullen, N Morrison. Subs: C Magee, A Rukabi, J McCreesh, P Ferris, L Graham.

Rossglass: P Annett, D Craig, R Lennon, R Tumelty, B Mageean, D Duffy, D Curran, C Morrison, Ben Lennon, P McGarry, C Hamilton. Subs: T Redmond, S Todd, G Grant, J Farrand.