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Portmarnock AFC vs Leicester Celtic
This Saturday the Saturday team welcomed Leicester Celtic to Paddyshill in what could well have been a tricky afternoon for the Ports.
Leicester started the game the better in the open 5 minutes but it didn't take long for Porto to take the ascendancy. In the early exchanges Portmarnock look dangerous down both flanks with young Danny Byrne giving their full back a torrid time. On the opposite side Adam Moran and Darragh Brennan linked up well and after a fantastic overlap from the ever energetic Brennan he centred the ball but Ross Waters could not capitalise. 10 mins later after a magnificent first time ball from Moran Cian McGregor got in around the back rounded the keeper and gave Porto the lead.
From there the black and amber never looked like they were in trouble. 10 mins later Porto doubled the lead after some great work down the left hand side between Danny Byrne and Ian Bailey the ball was centred and McGregor notched his 2nd of the after with a brilliantly taken header.
As the half drew to a close Portmarnock continued to push for a 3rd with Bailey, Byrne and Waters all going close.
The 2nd half began and Porto really began to take the game to Leicester with wave after wave of attack. Byrne hit the bar after doing well to get in. Another fantastic move down the right hand side saw Waters go close again. Adam Moran then made in 3 nil after some magnificent work down the right hand side from Ciaran Lyons who excelled when introduced at half time and the ever impressive Brennan.
Leicester managed a consolation after a fantastic long distance strike which went in off the underside of the bar.
Ross Waters rounded off the scoring after a lung busting solo run when he pick the ball up on the half way line and went in on the keeper to expertly slot home - deservedly so after putting in a fantastic shift all afternoon.
The management team remarked that it was great to get back to winning ways after a disappointing start after the Christmas break. Man of the Match on the day was Cian McGregor notching twice and leading the team from the go - 2nd time he has this accolade against Leicester this season.
The team continues to learn and develop together and we now move onto a crunch home game against the league leaders this Saturday on Paddyshill. The reverse fixture saw the ports being nearly pipped on a Friday over in Tallaght.
A special mention to the 3rd team who not for the 1st time made players available to help out - it really was a club effort from all parties involved and it does not go unappreciated.
Starting 11: Robbie Byrne, Daragh "disco boots" Brennan, Noel McGinnity, James Hendricken, Ian
Bailey, Dean Whelan, Conor Walsh, Cian McGregor, Adam Moran, Danny Byrne, Ross Waters
