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- Bevedere FC 1 – 3 Castleknock Celtic FC
“Eric & Leigh score stunners but Character sees Celtic through in thrilling game”
The scene was set – a beautiful summers evening, an immaculate pitch and Manager Alan Fleming lying in wait for his charges. He had his plan but as we all know plans get disrupted. Already without long term injured Nathan O’ Reilly and Aaron Byrne the talented defensive giant Paul O’ Neill was out with concussion while more bad news was to come as inspirational Captain, Sean Daly, pulled up with a foot injury and then striker Leigh Reilly was struggling with his left quad. On top of this Donatus Mweke had got lost!!!. How could Celtic cope. The mindset was Deal with it. Midfield veteran, Mark Hughes, himself just back from injury, was put to the unaccustomed position of Centre back alongside 14 year old Kyle with Eric Hanlon and Ciaran Delaney playing holding midfield roles. The task was enormous as they faced the mighty Belvo but sometimes something special happens when least expected and tonight was a nigh for special things.
The early exchanges were shared although Belvedere carried the more offensive threat. With 15 minutes on the clock Castleknock keeper Tommy Bowe claimed the ball before releasing a long ball to Claudio Lauretta. Claudio deftly headed the ball out left to Reilly . One touch and he was away from the defender and the second was a shot that found the back of the net. 0-1. With confidence up Celtic piled forward. Sean Blood forced a fine diving save from the Belvo No 1. Minutes later it was 0-2. A break down the right saw Blood squared to Lauretta who again cleverly found Reilly who powered the ball home with a venomous strike. Celtic were in dreamland and Belvedere were ragged. However credit to the home side as Belvo upped their game and pushed forward. Donatus finally arrived and was re-introduced to steady the defence. Indeed Celtic looked to have weathered the storm until they decided to try and play the offside trap and got caught. The Belvedere winger squared the ball and the striker needed no further invitation as he powered home. 1-2 and worse still Reilly had to succumb to that injury. It was game on. Belvedere pushed and Celtic were thankful to Bowe to preserve their slender advantage at half time. HT: 1-2
Belvedere came out all guns blazing in the second half as they searched for an equaliser. Jonathan Zambrano and Dylan Mc Donagh were on dynamos on defensive overtime. At centre back Hughes, who had grown into the game, was immaculate dealing with every threat that came his way. Despite all the good work by the back four it took a great save by Bowe to keep Celtic ahead. At the other end the three other U15 players Scott,Ben & Ciaran worked tirelessly and looked every inch Prem 1 players. With 15 minutes remaining Claudio, Sean and Eric were back on and it was Eric who weaved his way to the edge of the box before being fouled. 20 yards out on the left corner of the box. Eric dusted himself off before whipping the ball over the wall and past the keeper into the top right hand corner. No keeper could have saved that. Everyone jumped for joy even Daly who forgot how sore his foot was. Is this goal of the season.? Who knows’s ‘cause Reillys second is right up there but I think we can say that Eric will never score a better free kick than that. Credit to Belvedere who never stopped trying but it wasn’t to be as Celtic ran out worthy winners. FT: 1-3
A bit like Buses you wait a long time for one to come and then they all arrive together. Celtic have had an horrific start to the season both in terms of results but more damagingly injuries. The injuries persist but CHARACTER shines through. A team that started without its three star centre backs beat Belvedere FC thanks to the efforts and commitments of the team. Yes TEAM ‘cause it’s the Team that wins games. Well done to our U16’s who did themselves and their Coach proud. For Celtic it’s Cabinteely on Sunday so it’s a case of hoping that the physios can weave the magic to help the walking wounded. Lads, well done and let’s keep this train running!!!