Published: Wednesday, 21st October, 2009 5:30pm

Hodson Bay overcome St Joseph's

Three second-half goals propelled Hodson Bay Celtic to a deserved win at a sunny Cushla Park last Saturday morning.

The visiting side bossed the majority of the game but found a resolute St. Joseph's side in their way. But once the opening goal was scored by Sean Commane, there was only going to be one winner.

Best for Hodson Bay on the day were midfielders Brendan O'Meara and Eoin McCormack, while up front Luke Carty and Sean Commane proved a handful for the Joseph's defence to handle.

As for St. Joseph's, left-winger Colin Cotton was a constant threat to Hodson Bay with goalkeeper Cathal Shiels performing well between the posts.

Hodson Bay started the game strongly and soon had their opponents on the back foot. A ball forward from Eoin McCormack found Luke Carty on the edge of the penalty area. Carty controlled the ball on his chest before turning his man and striking just wide on the half-volley. Despite the good start by Hodson Bay, however, it was in fact St. Joseph's who should have taken the lead on nine minutes. Some good running down the left by Colin Cotton saw him win a corner for his side. The corner was cleverly worked short by Ciaran Lennon and Jamie McBride. McBride crossed the ball into the penalty area where Gary Nicholson had a free shot at goal only to see his effort cleared off the line and out for another corner by the head of a Hodson Bay defender. From the following corner Colin Cotton swung the ball in where, once again Nicholson was left unmarked but just failed to connect properly with the ball and the chance had gone.

Two minutes later, down the other end, Jack McDonnell was played through on goal by Luke Carty but Cathal Shiels rushed from his line to deny the goal.

On 24 minutes, a Hodson Bay corner swung in from the left fell to Brendan O'Meara on the edge of the penalty box, but his strike flew the wrong side of the posts.

Just two minutes later, an excellent flick on by the head of Luke Carty played Jack McDonnell in again, but his shot was a tame one and St. Joseph's had survived again.

Just before half-time, St. Joseph's had a period of dominance and went close to scoring on a few occasions. First, Callum McCormack saw his shot saved after a pass from Ciaran Lennon. McCormack then found himself with another opportunity after being played in this time by David Griffin. But his angle was closed down and the resulting shot was easily saved by Colm Murray.

Right on the half-time whistle, Niall Connaughton found himself in space outside the box but is shot sailed well over the crossbar and the teams went in level at the break.

Hodson Bay were back on top of proceedings upon the restart. Two minutes in and Brendan O'Meara, having gotten in behind the Joseph's defence, saw his shot superbly saved by Shiels.

The opening goal wasn't far away, however, and on 38 minutes it finally arrived. Hodson Bay won the ball back in midfield and spread it wide to the left wing. There Jack McDonnell swung the ball in where Sean Commane headed the ball home to the top corner.

Eager to add to their goal, Hodson Bay went in search of another. On 41 minutes, Commane nearly had his second but saw his effort cleared off the line by Ciaran Lennon.

But five minutes later, the second did arrive albeit in very fortuitous circumstances. Luke Carty managed to get into the box but after the ball got away from him, the danger looked to have passed. Sean McManus moved in to clear the ball but his clearance ricocheted off Carty and into the net giving Cathal Shiels no chance.

The second goal all but killed the game and on 55 minutes Hodson Bay's win was sealed. The ball was played forward to Sean Commane who stepped over the ball and allowed it to run through to substitute Ronan Kilcline. Kilcline took his time before firing the ball to the top corner for the goal of the game.

St. Joseph's continued to play out the game and went close through a Jamie McBride effort late on but the day belonged to Hodson Bay.

ST. JOSEPH'S: Cathal Shiels, Eoin Hannon, Ciaran Lennon, Gary Nicholson, Harry O'Rourke, Sean McManus, Jamie McBride, Niall Connaughton, David Griffin, Callum McCormack, Colin Cotton. SUBS: Brandon Ryan for C. McCormack (50 mins), Sean Fallon for C. Lennon (50 mins), D. McManus for E. Hannon (53 mins), Darragh Lennon for D. Griffin (53 mins).

HODSON BAY CELTIC: Colm Murray, Dylan Kelly, Liam Kenny, Brian Stack, Connor Murray, Brendan O'Meara, Ciaran Walshe, Eoin McCormack, Luke Carty, Sean Commane, Jack McDonnell. SUBS: Eddie Nolan for L. Kenny (HT), Paul Daly for C. Walshe (HT), Ronan Kilcline for B. O'Meara (48 mins).