Match reports 10/11 March 2007
Celtic’s 10C1 had a marvellous victory over Cabinteely at home in Porterstown in the DDSL cup. The sides were level at full time. Manager Vernon McAllorum with a depleted squad with flu, was not keen on extra time, but they are the rules. But he was mighty pleased when his super strikers, Anthony Healy, and David Kelly, struck with venom to put Celtic through to the next round, with a 2-0 margin of victory.
St Pats CY hosted Celtic in this Leinster Snr League Premier Sat fixture. Celtic welcomed back Declan Cunningham, and he showed that he had lost none of his sharpness by cracking in 2 goals, which with Des Kennearney’s single strike, earned the visitors a point away in Ringsend.
Darragh O’Connor was delighted with this resounding win over Killinarden in the AUL Div 2 Sat league. Celtic have many former Celtic schoolboys playing in this team, and they shone today. Pride of place goes to man of the match, Terry Abbott, who scored a brace. We remember Terry playing for Tom Moore’s successful DDSL team in the early ’90s. A clear recollection of this reporter is a rocket by Terry which helped defeat Belvedere in Fairview Park. Welcome back Terry. Sean Mooney also helped himself to a brace, and along with strikes from Paul Newman and Cillian Meade, gave the home side a comfortable 6-2 win.
Eddie O’Callaghan’s AUL Div 2 squad were far too fit and skilful for the visiting Dragon Rangers in the Jim Cullen Cup. Celtic’s title chasing side saw off the weak challenge of middle of the table Dragon Rangers with ease. Andy Weldon put the home side 1-0 up on 20 mins with a looping volley from 12 yards, which was how it stood at half time. Billy Thompson, continuing to impress, hit Celtic’s second 5 mins into the second half. Celtic gave Dragon a sniff when they allowed the visitors in to make it 2-1. But Andy Weldon was again on target with a bullet header. It was that man again, Billy Thompson, who weaved his way through the Dragon defence, as his team mates screamed for a pass, but the big midfielder fancied doing a Geo Best on it, and he rounded the keeper for a contender for goal of the season. 4-1. Adam O’Callaghan weighed in with his customary goal, with Bill Thompson, completing his hat trick, but unfortunately, he did not get the match ball. (Sorry, Bill, they are far too expensive nowadays!). Paul Murray scored a rare goal to complete the rout. 7-1.
11Premier in Porterstown cruised into the semi-final of the Tom Coughlan Cup where they will meet Maynooth Town. On a murky morning, they were slow to get out of the blocks, but they still managed to be 4-0 up at half time against Boyne Rovers. There was just too much of a gulf between the two sides. Ryan Kearney Moore was again on the mark, and with a bit of luck, he could have had a couple more. Gavin Boyne also scored following his break from the middle, in very similar style to Ryan Moore, as they both rounded the keeper, before stroking home from close range. The tireless left sided midfielder, Daniel Bell, hit 2, and again showed his class. Keelan McAnerin and Kyle Turner also hit a brace each, but it was Kyle’s strike from the edge of the box that was probably the pick of the goals, as he let fly from 20 yards. Kyle had moved from his usual full back slot to partner captain, Patrick Rocca, in the middle of the defence where, together with Eoin Conran, the back 4 did not give Boyne a sniff all morning. The back-4 had come in for special mention, getting 9 -out-of-10 from Coach Declan Heavey for their superb performance against the South Dublin League representative selection only 24 hours earlier. They won that game with goals from prolific striker Ryan Kearney Moore and speedster Keelan McAnerin.
They are getting in plenty of target practice as they prepare for their biggest challenge to date, their quarter final encounter with Cherry Orchard in 2 weeks time. The Cherries defeated St Kevins 1-0 in a dour game with both sides flooding the midfield, and the Saints showing absolutely no ambition. If they had taken on the Ballyfermot side, they might have been a bit more successful. They played with 1 lone frontman, and were eventually undone by the Cherry Orchard striker who raced from the half way line to the end line, unchallenged, to set up the chance for the winning goal. Celtic will have learned from this: get the tackle in early and don’t allow them into their stride. Manager Dave Fogarty ran the slide rule over the Cherries and his assessment is that Celtic certainly have the pace and skill to be a match for the Cherries, and with the right positive attitude on the day, competing as required, they could be in the draw for the semis in a fortnight’s time.
Myles Sheehan scored Celtic’s U-11B goal in a desperately close encounter against Clontarf that Celtic were very unfortunate not to win. They looked like they were going to clinch it late on, but having missed the chance, it was the visiting Clontarf who exploited their opportunity to steal it at the death. 1-2.
A brilliant game with Castleknock Celtic’s U-12C up against a strong Kinsealy team, who are challenging for the top spot. Castleknock went in front with a move from the backs, with Alan Leech and Megan Naughton performing skilfully to aid Sean Glynn to score the First Goal. Castleknock got a second goal from the penalty spot with a cool finish by Eoin Goslin, after Tim Moran had been taken down by the keeper. Kinsealy responded with two late goals to earn a draw. Good performances on the day by Ray Collins, Conor Mulvihill, and Niall McCabe, while Eoin Logan Gray made some fine saves in goal.
13C continued their great run, unbeaten in 6, and today they outgunned Skerries Town 4-2. They are fortunate that they have an array of sources for their goals. Fionn Rogers, Niall Luckie, Graham Dunne, and man of the match John Soboda, were on the mark in this home fixture for Celtic.
Craig Dunne’s brace (did someone mention seeing a no. 4 bus on Bulfin Road?) was not enough to prevent Celtic’s 15Bs going down at home to Dunshaughlin, as the visitors took the points in a 4-2 victory.
