Celtic Bhoys enjoy another win in Division 2C in NAFL
NAFL Division 2C,
League Match,
Venue: Ballyhornan, Saturday 9th March 2024.
Celtic Boys 4 1 Belvoir FC.
Belvoir made the long trip to a cold and windy Ballyhornan. But by half-time Celtic Boys had the game firmly under their control as they led 4-0 at the interval writes Cyril McKinney.
Celtic are currently second top on the Division 2C league and are hoping for a promotion this season. They have 4 games in hand behind Clonard FC, the league leaders, and are only three points behind, so a league win could still be on the cards.
Celtic look the stronger of the two league leaders with a better goal difference and showing less goals given away.
Playing with the wind in the first half, Celtic Boys were on the front foot from the very first whistle and closed down the opposition at every opportunity.
Belvoir are placed sixth in Division 2C so did not pose a serious threat to the home-side.
Celtic went ahead in the 8th minute when Belvoir right back Daniel Bratty headed into his own net from a Celtic Boys right wing cross which caused havoc in the Belvoir defence.
Two superb headed goals from the towering Conor Doherty – both from corners – in the 21st and 24th minutes – gave the home side breathing space.
Their dominance was confirmed on 43 minutes when Sean McMahon was sent through one-on-one with the keeper and the Celtic Bhoys made no mistake to make it 4-0 at the interval.
Belvoir had no attempts on goal in the first half as the veteran Paul Brady and defensive partner Blaine Connolly clinically snuffed out everything coming their way.
Into the second half and the game was hampered by the effects of a strong wind that misplaced passes, general ball control and saw a lack of quality passing from both sides.
Real chances were few and far between at both ends but the visitors did pull one back on 71 minutes when Conor Doherty was adjudged to have handled the ball in his own penalty area and from the resulting penalty Nathan Elliot sent Celtic keeper Nathan Curran the wrong way to leave the final score 4-1 to Celtic Boys.
Celtic Boys were the better side, stronger in every department and had some great individual performances across the pitch and a man of the match performance from Conor Doherty who was influential from start to finish.
Celtic Bhoys: Nathan Curran, Shaun Megahey, Matthew McKee, Blaine Connolly, Paul Brady, Corey McCartan, Jordan McCoubrey, Conor Doherty, Sean McMahon, Conaill Kerr, Jay Gibney. Subs: Christopher Cullan for Jay Gibney, Aidan Connolly for Sean McMahon, Daibhi Ennis for Paul Brady.
Belvoir: Karl Wylie, Daniel Bratty, Daniel Douglas, David Boal, Ross McIntyre, Steven Donaghy, Jay Woods, A N Other, Nathan Elliot, Ross Thompson, Michael Haighton. Subs: Curtis Moore, Stephen Patterson for Michael Haighton, Stephen Tittenson
