- HOME
- HISTORY
- LOCATION
- RESULTS
- FIXTURES
- CONTACTS
- CLUB NEWS
- GALLERY
- CONTACT US
- MINI-WORLD CUP
- PLAN YOUR SPORTS SESSION
- CELTIC FC PARTNERSHIP
- COACHING CORNER
- HONOURS
- YOUNG PEOPLE'S HEALTH IN MIND
- GARDA VETTING FORM
- JUNIORS INSURANCE COVER SUMMARY
- CODES OF PRACTICE & CONDUCT UPDATED JAN 2018
- ARCHIVE MEMORIES
- CONSTITUTION 2017
- FAI SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY
Celtic in Cruise Control as €200m Man Nathan grabs Hat-trick ”
It’s Sept 2nd and the Premier League is back or should we say resumed!!!. After it’s summer slumber “Summer” Football returned and return it did with some mouth watering clashes including today's encounter between the Celts and Knocklyon Utd. This would be the Club's 4th encounter since last November and while Knocklyon have edged affairs it was Celtic who enjoyed a narrow success, courtesy of a last minute goal, in their most recent encounter. Put succinctly there would be little to choose between these teams and an expectant crowd waited in anticipation.
The Celtic Coach demanded a fast start and that’s what he got. From the off Celtic were in control, first to the ball, winning the challenges and spraying the ball wide at every opportunity. The midfield of Hannon, Hughes and Mweke were showing a great understanding and Knocklyon were being cut open repeatedly. Sean Blood and Nathan O’ Reilly showed their intentions early on but it was Nathan who broke the deadlock with a neat finish after 15 minutes to give Celtic the lead they deserved. Minutes later it was 2-0 courtesy of one of the goals of the season from Eric Hannon. A left foot curler with pace from all of 25 yards. Now that’s how you take a shot. Knocklyon were only recovering when Nathan made it 3-0 this time courtesy of a right footed drive into the left corner. Knocklyon just could not get the ball and soon it was 4-0. Hughes went on one of his mazy runs past one, past two , past three, a shot from the 20 yards brought a finger tip save from the Knocklyon keeper only for who else but Nathan to tap home. Donatus thought he had made it five after good work from Blood. Credit to Knocklyon who battoned down the hatches to keep the score down until half time. HT: 4-0
Changes were made but Celtic maintained their dominance. Ciaran Collins went close, Blood shot just wide and Antonio Neto was denied by the post with a wonderful cross goal header from Hughes’ free kick. To their credit Knocklyon battled back and started to ask questions of the Castleknock defence. They were rewarded with 15 minutes to go following a raid down the left wing . The winger swung in a quality cross and a glancing header at the far post made it 4-1. Just what Knocklyon needed. The Southside Boys battled ‘til the end making sure that Celtic knew they were in a game. FT: 4-1.
A great result for Celtic whose first half performance was sublime and were it not for the good goalkeeping from the Knocklyon No 1 the scoreline could have been more emphatic. To their credit Knocklyon worked their way back into the game and in an even second half showed what they are capable off. A slow start had been their undoing and the scoreline does not reflect Knocklyon’s quality. But this was Celtic’s day or more correctly it was Nathan’s day. The young man had been rested the previous week and came back showing great character and not inconsiderable skill as he delivered a quality hat-trick. If Neymar is worth €190m then Nathan is surely worth €200m based on today's performance. So all in all a good start back to the season but Celtic will need to show they can do this on a weekly basis. Consistency is the key so we will wait to see what next week holds for the Celtic Warriors.