Published: Thursday, 11th June, 2009 10:00am

Rosney grabs hat trick in AC Celtic goal spree

A second-half goal avalanche helped a strong AC Celtic secure a place in the final of this year"s ADSL under-14 Paddy McCaul Cup.

The home side were always on top throughout against an extremely young Connaught Celtic, who tried their very best but ultimately fell asunder during a tough second half.

Connaught Celtic"s difficult day was summed up when they then missed a late penalty kick which would have given them a consolation goal.

AC Celtic were dominant from an early stage and would have had a much healthier half-time advantage but for some great goalkeeping by Connaught Celtic netminder James Martin and some solid and brave defending from Michael Daly and central defensive partner Jordan Cassidy.

Both Roy Wykes and Jay O"Neill exerted great influence in AC Celtic"s midfield during the opening half, with Wykes and Bobby Malone both having early shots blocked by Connaught Celtic"s dogged defenders.

After three minutes, Clive Harris" backpost cross was missed by the in-rushing Malone but Ger Menton, sliding in with great determination, almost converted but was always stretching too much and could only divert the ball wide.

Wykes then set up a good shooting opportunity for Ian Rosney, but his well struck effort went wide of Martin"s goal.

Connaught Celtic were already very much on the retreat though, and it seemed only a matter of time before AC Celtic broke the deadlock. Indeed, an opening goal arrived for AC in the seventh minute.

O"Neill and Wykes were again involved, working the ball to Malone on the edge of the Connaught Celtic penalty area. Malone teed up Shane Dunning about 25 yards from goal and his dipping drive found the top corner of the net.

Wykes was then unlucky to see his long range drive go wide, before Harris dragged the ball neatly into Rosney"s path but the rangy youngster pulled his effort the wrong side of Martin"s post.

It was now complete domination by AC Celtic but special praise must go to the brave Michael Daly, who manned Connaught Celtic"s defence and showed an ability to read the game well at times.

O"Neill was next to try his luck but drove a shot wide, before Martin made a fine save to deny Malone who had burst past a couple of Connaught Celtic defenders.

On 24 minutes, Martin saved well from Harris and there was no let-up for Connaught Celtic.

Menton curled an intelligent shot narrowly wide for AC Celtic before Martin made a quality double save just before half-time, denying Harris on a couple of occasions, including once from point blank range.

However, Martin couldn"t do much to prevent AC Celtic running riot during the second half.

Five minutes into the second period, Harris and Rosney worked a clever corner kick into the path of Terry Rushe but his attempt was fractionally off target.

Connaught Celtic could only hold firm for a further three minutes.

Rosney did very well to beat a couple of tackles before pushing the ball into the path of Malone whose cross-goal drive found the net via the right upright.

Three goals in the next six minutes meant Connaught Celtic now had their heads down and were really struggling to keep up with a free flowing AC Celtic.

On 40 minutes, Dunning"s long range drive gave Martin little chance and landed in the roof of the net, giving AC Celtic a 3-0 advantage with 20 minutes remaining.

AC Celtic showed no mercy and struck again on 42 minutes when Wykes forced the ball into the path of Rosney and he powerfully hammered the ball past the exposed but ever willing Martin.

The home side made it 5-0 midway through the second half when Aaron Moran set up Rosney, who neatly went around Martin and slotted the ball into the unguarded net.

Rosney secured his hat-trick with eight minutes left, scoring with a cracking shot from just outside the penalty area.

Connaught Celtic kept battling as bravely as possible but found the going very tough.

They actually earned a late penalty kick but Michael Daly watched in frustration as his kick missed the target.

AC Celtic now progress to the final and will be confident of going all the way after this comfortable but still impressive victory.

AC CELTIC: Kieran Cleary; Aaron Moran; Shane Dunning; Terry Rushe; Dean Tone; Jay O"Neill; Roy Wykes; Clive Harris; Ger Menton; Bobby Malone; Ian Rosney. Subs: Aaron Gavin for Menton (39 mins); Derek Gavin for Tone (46).

CONNAUGHT CELTIC: James Martin; Bartek Zaucha; Eric Loughnane; Michael Daly; Jordan Cassidy; Darren Greene; Peter Woods; Richard Henry; Farouk Arema; Ciaran Gavin; Kevin Daly.

REFEREE: Declan Toland.