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“Honours even in great battle under the mid-day Sun ”
Celtic have enjoyed a good start to the season registering maximum points thus far but today would see a new challenge in the shape of the mighty Cabinteely FC. Cabinteely won the U15 Divisional Cup and following a strong start to the season sit second in the table with high aspirations for League honours. Celtic were still missing Eric Halpin and Jhonathan Zambrano with long term injuries while the inform defensive talisman, Sean Daly, was also missing making the task all the more difficult. Still no one could argue with the weather as a good crowd waited in anticipation.
Celtic started like an express train and could of, indeed should of, been one up inside a minute when Dylan Mc Donagh released Leigh Reilly who brought off a great save from the Cabinteely No 1. From the resulting Mark Hughes corner Sean Blood’s header was cleared off the line. However it wasn’t long before Celtic went in front. A quick break saw Blood release Reilly whose early shot beat the keeper. Cabinteely , to their credit, regrouped and started to enjoy more possession although the Celtic defence never looked in any trouble. As the half wore on Celtic nearly doubled their lead. Lloyd Turner powered the ball in to the box from the right. Reilly volleyed from 6 yards out only for the Cabo stopper to make an incredible reflex save. Minutes later Cabinteely thought they had equalised when their midfielder drove the ball past keeper,Tommy Bowe, only for it hit the far post. The game was opening up. A minute from half time Cabinteely won a corner although the Referee may have been the only person in Porterstown who thought it was a corner. Castleknock feeling aggrieved lost concentration. The ball was swung across and headed towards the goal. Bowe, bravely pounced on it and although he had his hands on it the impact of the dive on the hard pitch saw the ball bounce up to the grateful Cabinteely striker who tapped home from two yards. HT: 1-1
The second half mirrored the first although it was Cabinteely who started the better as they went 1-2 up inside 5 minutes albeit with a suspicion of offside. Cabo’s tails were up and in truth they started to dominate as Celtic seemed to tire in the extreme heat. With legs tiring changes were made as Luke O’ Flaherty and Franc Ajunomah entered the fray. Antonio Neto, who had given a solid performance at full back, went into mid to help the non-stop Hughes. Slowly but surely Celtic got on top. With just over 15 minutes left the ball was swept into Blood where he knocked over. The whistle went. PENO!!!!. No, the Refereeawarded an indirect Free kick. You cannot be serious. Celtic kept their cool. Mc Donagh tipped the ball to Reilly whose shot was going wide before being palmed by the keeper where Antonio was on hand to force it home. Slightly fortuitous but deserved not just for the incorrect decision in the first place but for Celtic’s hard work and efforts.
With 10 minutes to go it was Cabinteely who were wilting. Celtic pushed for the winner. With minutes to go a good exchange of play involving Mc Donagh, Reilly and Hughes saw Hughes cut in and hit a drive from the edge of the box that brought a finger tip save over the bar from the Cabo No 1. FT: 2-2
Overall a draw was probably a fair result. Cabinteely shading possession and Celtic having the better chances. Both teams deserve great credit for putting on such a fine display on what was a poor surface and on a searing hot day. The applause at the end of the game from both lines probably tells it’s own story. A beautiful sunny day and a great game of football what more could you ask for. For Celtic this is another step in the right direction. Unbeaten and with the sidelined players due back at the end of April this team will only get stronger. Well done lads.