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Character shines through as Celtic win Battle of the Hoops ”
This crazy crazy season even got crazier. With 5 games left the season was called to a halt but on Thursday evening the league granted 2 more weekends of football. And so on Friday evening Celtic got the call – Match V Greystones Utd and it’s a BIG ONE. No training , no preparation but these Celtic lads love a challenge and down South they headed to Greystones impressive grounds. On a beautiful sunny but cold morning on a manicured pitch all seemed right with the world as these two closely matched teams took to the stage.
Greystones settled first and their neat crisp passing had Celtic on the back foot. Matters did not improve when Nathan O’ Reilly came off struggling from a flu leaving Celtic with just 10 fit players. Worse was to follow – Celtic, having weathered the Greystones storm and having created good chances of their own went all kamikaze and conceded a dreadful goal. 0-1. Ironically this seemed to wake Celtic up. Mark Hughes went on a delightful run and htt a cross field pass to Leigh Reilly in the box but his first touch failed him allowing Greystones to clear. Moments later Celtic won a free kick. Paul O’ Neill who was majestic all day lifted the ball into the box where Reilly finished first time in some style. HT: 1-1
At half time the talk was simple “ We need 3 points – DELIVER”. The Boys were up for it but so were Greystones. With 15 minutes of the half gone a delightful ball into the box saw Sean Blood lift the ball over the keeper only to see it come off the cross bar. Moments after Blood was on the score sheet. Reilly latched onto a hopeful ball and lifted it over the keeper allowing Blood provide the finishing touch. Greystones were rocked and it could have been 1-3. From 6 yards out the re-introduced Nathan buried a shot but with the keeper beaten it came off a Celtic player and the ball was cleared. But Celtic were rockin’ and soon it was 1-3. A Hughes corner to the far post was met by O’Neill. Greystones were wilting but again Celtic let the home side back in thanks to more kamikaze defending at the back – a failed clearance allowing Greystones a 2V1 and they needed no other invitation as a tidy finish made it 2-3.
Greystones were back in it and they pushed forward. Their chance came following a nice build up but were unlucky as their midfielder's well-struck effort crashed off the cross bar. Celtic went 4-4-2 and regained their composure and as clock ran down saw out the game in comfort. FT: 2-3
Given the circumstances a great and deserved win against Greystones who once again showed what a good team they are. A well Coached team they play football the way it should be played and this game emphasised the depth of quality in this division. What next for Celtic – who knows but what we can tell you is that this Castleknock team is quality and one with great character. Well done lads have a great weekend.