Nine-goal thriller for Malahide Utd boys
© Fingal Independant (Both Pictures and Report) 28/02/07

Malahide United 5 : 4 Howth Celtic
By Fergal Maddock

MALAHIDE United recovered from letting a two-goal advantage slip to carve out a hard-fought victory in this nine-goal thriller against Howth Celtic at the weekend.This cracking encounter at Malahide Castle got off to a flyer with Howth Celtic opening the scoring in the third minute through a fine shot from Robert Ross.

Malahide almost equalised two minutes later through Michael Sherlin, who forced his away into the Howth Celtic box but his shot was deflected out for a corner. And the home side should have equalised in the 11th minute after some fine play involving Jordan Houton and Michael Sherlin set up a glorious opportunity for Enda McNamara but he fired wide in front of an open goal.

Two minutes later Malahide made no mistake when Shane Carr intercepted a poor Howth Celtic kick-out and blasted the ball home. It was by now end-to-end stuff and either side could have taken the lead before half-time with Adam Carthy and Jack Scott going close for Howth and Jordan Houton and Michael Sherlin going close for Malahide.

Within two minutes of the restart Malahide took the lead through Jordan Houton after a quick break forward for Malahide. Malahide made it three in the 10th minute thanks to a fine effort from Lee Kenny-Adams. But Malahide’s two-goal advantage was short-lived and within a minute Howth pulled one back through Jack Scott, who blasted home from the edge of the box.

And then four minutes later disaster struck for Malahide when they conceded another when Adam Carthy scored a fine solo goal after a great run down the left. But Malahide didn’t let their heads dropped and restored their lead through a stunning solo effort from Enda McNamara, which made amends for his first-half miss.

And with a minute remaining in normal time, Malahide made it five with Tomas Goggins poking the ball home after a scramble in the Howth Celtic box. Howth weren’t finished, however, and in injury time Jack Scott grabbed his second but it was too late for his side and the game ended 5-4 to Malahide.

Malahide United: Tomas Goggins, Owenie O’Connell, Michael Sherlin, Jordan Houton, Lee Kenny-Adams, Enda McNamara, Shane Carr.

Howth Celtic: Caline Walsh, Robert Ross, Jack Scott, Adam Carthy, Alex Kavanagh, Kate Mooney, Connor Quinn.