- 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
Fergie Time Saves Crumlin in SIX Goal Thriller
Castleknock welcomed Crumlin for their final game of 2016 on an exceptionally mild December morning. The early exchanges were even until Crumlin took the lead with a headed goal from a corner although Celtic will be unhappy with their defending as they allowed the Crumlin midfielder head home unchallenged 0-1. Just what Celtic didn’t need and it was no surprise after a solid start that the lads looked fragile as Crumlin sought to capitalise with the early goal. Crumlin were enjoying more possession but at the same time not creating many clear cut chances. Antonio Neto was introduced to bolster the midfield and slowly but surely Celtic regained their composure and with it looked the more likely. Mark Hughes, following some fine individual play shot just over with the keeper beaten, Leigh Reilly saw two good chances drift just wide while Nathan O’Reilly shot across the goal with the keeper beaten. HT: 0-1
At half time the Coaches encouraged the back four to push up and for the team to keep doing the same things in the second half. Still it took good fortune for Celtic to get back in the game. The fresh legs of Tony Kamara put pressure on the Crumlin centre back who was forced to play back to his keeper. Just as the keeper went to clear the ball it took a fortunate bounce (for Celtic that is) over the keeper and into the net. 1-1. Fortunate for sure but deserved at the same time. A burden was lifted. Ryan O’Connor was enjoying himself as he carved open the Crumlin defence with inch perfect passes. From one O’Reilly shot just wide, then Kamara did likewise. Shortly after an exquisite Neto freekick was headed over by O’Reilly. A goal would surely come and it did. The moved started in the Celtic half. The dependable Dylan McDonagh won the ball and fed O’Connor who in turn fed Hughes. Hughes powered forward. Past one, past two . The space opened up and Hughes greatfully accepted before shooting with his left across the goal where O’Reilly was on hand to tap home, a deserved goal for the youngster. 2-1. With Hughes and Neto in imperious form in the middle Celtic went from strength to strength and it was no surprise when Celtic went further ahead. Reilly split the defence with a lovely weighted ball to Kamara, who having been denied moments earlier by a wonderful Crumlin tackle, this time made sure with a cool finish. 3-1.
Celtic kept pushing but to be honest were wasteful with the chances created . Still no danger as we entered stoppage time. Three minutes the Celtic defence, who had been excellent all day, switched off to allow the Crumlin striker in to make it 3-2. Still Fergie time had to be up but no. A minute later a Celtic kickout went straight to the Crumlin player who finished well with the last kick of the game. 3-3.
A sickener for Celtic but credit to Crumlin who aside from being a good footballing team showed great character to come back for a share of the spoils. Celtic were despondent and after a difficult Autumn could have done with the win. Still the Coaches, who were understandably annoyed at the concession of two late goals, saw plenty of positives. The football played was the best in recent times, the team created a significant number of chances while there were also some fine individual displays most notably in defence where Luke O’ Flaherty put in a great shift and Franc Ajunomah who put in the sort pf performance that the Coaches have been looking from him all season. And so Celtic bid farewell to 2016 and to be honest they will be glad to see the back of it. Today there were signs of what the team can be. A bit of strengthening in January and the team will have the potential to challenge. Enjoy the Christmas lads and let’s come back in 2017 with the hunger and drive that can take us to great heights. Com’n the Celts!!!