CK United return to winning ways to keep play-off hopes alive
Celebrations for CK United after Mamadou Doumbia had opened the scoring in the 3-1 win over Killarney Celtic. Photo: Aisling Hyland
CK United returned to winning ways with a comfortable victory over Killarney Celtic, ending a run of two consecutive draws and keeping alive their hopes of topping the group.
With maximum points required from their remaining fixtures to maintain a realistic chance of finishing first, CK responded impressively following last week's disappointing display against Cork. The management team made three changes, all in defence, and the alterations paid dividends as the local side produced a much-improved performance and controlled proceedings from the outset.
CK's habit of making fast starts continued when they took an early lead from a free-kick on the edge of the area. Dean Denieffe-Kelly delivered an excellent ball over the wall and Mamadou Doumbia rose highest to meet it, powering a diving header into the bottom-right corner. It was a familiar sight for CK supporters, with Doumbia also having opened the scoring in the sides' previous meeting in Killarney a few weeks earlier.
The visitors doubled their advantage midway through the half. Mark Imiren initially saw an effort from the left spilled by the goalkeeper, but reacted quickest to regain possession before delivering an inviting cross into the penalty area. Emmett Nugent met it with a diving header that found the bottom-right corner to make it 2-0.
However, CK were unable to keep a clean sheet before the interval. A free-kick from the edge of the box was worked to Matthew Keane on the right flank and, from a difficult angle, he produced an excellent finish that looped over Gavin O'Brien and into the net to reduce the deficit.
The game took a decisive turn with 13 minutes remaining when Killarney's Diego Quareles was shown a red card for an elbow on Liam McDonnell.
CK capitalised on their numerical advantage almost immediately. Just a minute later, Alex Kelliher whipped a dangerous cross in from the left that was missed by Callum Warfield, allowing Fayo Adeogun to rise above the defence and head home into the top-right corner.
The goal restored CK's two-goal cushion and effectively put the result beyond doubt as they secured an important three points in their push for top spot.
Gavin O’Brien; Mark Imiren, Mamadou Doumbia, Ethan Boyle; Harry Sherlock (Ravo Kilonda ‘85), Liam McDonnell (Adam Coyne ‘90), Jordan Harmon (Robbie O'Toole, 65), Timmy Adeleye (Alex Kelliher ‘70); Dean Denieffe-Kelly, Fayo Adeogun; Emmett Nugent (Callum Warfield ‘70).
Unused Subs: Lord Afrifa, David Imiren, Kyle Foley, Darragh O'Neill.
Kyle Clifford, Liam Spillane, Brendan Falvey (Cian Doe ‘79), Jason Keirins, Padraic Looney, Togor Silong (Kennedy Amechi ‘79), Victor Udeze (Stephen McCarthy ‘75, Matthew Keane, Trpimir Vrijcak, Ciaran Cooney (Diego Quareles ‘56), Sean Lovett (Caleb Darcy McNamara ‘75) Unused Subs: Roy Kelliher, Nattagum Ryan.
Patrick Roche assisted by Ryan Flood and Sahin Yasar (DDSL)
