Balscadden FC 2-0 Carrick Rovers

The second team dug out a hard-fought 2-0 win against Carrick Rovers from Co Monaghan on Saturday evening to make it into the last 16 of the Leinster Junior Shield.

Balscadden enjoyed the perfect start on the Bremore Park astro. With barely 20 seconds on the clock, great work from Anthony Ryan down the right saw him surge past the opposing full-back and whip in a really good cross. It dropped to Colm Kiernan who controlled it with his right foot and then lashed it to the net with his left.

Carrick settled and threatened off a couple of setpieces, but Josh Osborne, Dion Keogh and Anthony Ryan all impressed in the opening 45 minutes as Balscadden hunted a second goal. Two good strikes from Dion, and a low effort from Anthony Ryan that whistles inches past the post, were as close as we came and it was 1-0 at the break.

In the second half Carrick turned the screw. Killian Lynch made a superb save, tipping it on to the post to preserve our lead. Then Paul Kelly pulled off an unbelievable goal-line clearance, somehow sliding in to scoop the ball over the bar when their striker looked certain to score.

Having survived those scares, we then doubled our lead. Excellent build-up play involving Kevin McKeown and Dion Keogh ended with Colm Kiernan jinking into the box and coolly converting.

Carrick continued to press but we saw it out, with Daryl Clarke, Nathan Rooney, Sean Kelly and Paul Kelly - plus goalkeeper Killian - all producing strong performances.