Celtic Bhoys dominate second half to get a win against Kelvin OB in Junior Shield Quarter Final
The Toals Bet.com Junior Shield 24/25 QF,
Venue: Dixon Playing Fields, 15 2 25,
Final Score: Kelvin OB 0 2 Celtic Bhoys.
The Celtic Bhoys squad arrived at the Dixon Playing Fields to face NAFL Division 2A rivals Kelvin OB in what was expected to be a close, hard fought match writes Jim Masson (no relation to the Kelvin OB players of the same name!)
Celtic, who are second top of the NAFL Division 2B behind Ulster University but with three games in hand, were still getting over their 2-1 Cochrane Corey Cup defeat last week against Cregagh Wanderers, their first defeat this season, but are still alive in the Clarence Cup and Junior Shield campaigns.
With true grit Celtic came out of this match with a win which not many teams can say they achieved when they play the OBs at Dixon Park.
As the match unfolded, both teams tested each others defences out. The first real shot of the match was from Sean Ferris who volleyed over the top bar from 30 yards.
Then the OB’s Leon Skillen and Carl Surgeon made a useful attack with a neat cross from Dylan Rodgers and it led to a double corner for the home side.
Jarlath Brannigan made an effort to clear dangerous ball near his goal but it led to an opportunity for OB player Nicholas Surgeon who had a good first half to fire at the Celtic goal winning another corner from a deflection.
But the game went to and fro and Corey McCartan was almost through from a cross from Ferris. In the first half the OB looked as through they could score and were threatening on a number of occasions.
But Celtic kept the pressure on them with fast attacks.
Ferris was playing a key role in the Celtic attacks but Brannigan was going well on the right wing and Conaill Kerr in centre field was often in the fray. There were lots of touches from Celtic that could have produced a goal but they were unlucky not to have an early first half goal.
Celtic remained calm and their play was more creative. One great opportunity arose with McCartan rushing at the OB keeper Daniel Moore but just before he could deliver a kick at goal Surgeon intervened sharply for the OB clearing well.
Dylan Rodgers could have put the OB ahead with a low header but Celtic keeper Nathan Curran was on the spot and got the ball under control in the 24th minute.
Then it was Caoimhin Groves’ turn to head the ball down to the goal line by OB forward Rodgers was there to block it.
Branagan was playing the well constantly challenging the OB back line keeping the pressure up on the OB defenders.
There finally in the 29th minute, Conaill Kerr took a corner and sailed the ball into Kelvin OG goal without a player getting a touch. It was a perfectly weighted shot. The game resumed following celebrations.
The pressure was off Celtic now and at last they could relax and do what they do best… scoring goals… or try to!
On 35 minutes Branagan received a yellow card but survived the first half without further penalty.
On 37 minutes Jay Gibney almost headed in from a Celtic corner. The Celtic trio of Ferris, Branagan and Kerr looked unstoppable at times and should have produced more goals, but credit to the OB defence who played the offside trap well and kept their defence tight.
In the first half OB looked as through they could score and did come back at Celtic right after Kerr scored.
In one Celtic corner, Gibney hit the ball well to the head of Peter Turley who almost got high enough to head it with force into the top of the OB net but it flew over the bar.
There was a moment before the half-time whistle when you’d think that the OB would pull back a goal. On one occasion defender Allan Dunning managed a terrific volloy at the Celtic goal but it ricochtted off a defender for a corner and a spell of OB pressure on the visitors.
The first half ended with Kelvin OB probing the Celtic defence which was doing a good job challenging quickly and clearing up well. Keeper Nathan Curran looked a sure pair of hands and had never-the-less a fairly easy first half bar a few moments of potential threats.
The second half started with Celtic on the front foot taking the game to the OB.
The home side apart from a few attacks that could have produced a goal seemed to languish badly. Whether it was that Celtic were fitter, or hungrier, or just more skilled or all three, they certainly rose to the task in the second half and chased the ball and attacked relentlessly.
Check 40 action photos of the Celtic Bhoys match here.
Sean Ferris crossed to Kerr who sent a shot at the goal on target but keeper Moore deflected the ball out for a corner.
At that point Patrick Ferris replaced Branagan on the 48th minute as a measure to ensure that he did not get a second yellow and miss the next outing having already clocked up one yellow card.
The corner resumed and Sean Ferris blasted the ball at the goal and keeper Moore did well to hold it.
Gradually Celtic were pressing continuously and they needed another goal to make the win almost a fete acommpli.
Then Peter Turley received a yellow card and he fought hard to keep the OB out of reach of his goal area. After 10 minutes of mainly Celtic dominance, the OB charged the Celtic goal but were again pushed back.
At one stage Sean Ferris who was leading the charge for Celtic, held the ball well in an attack against two defenders and volleyed but his effort just rose slightly over the top bar.
The OB were feeling the pressure and knew they had a game on their hands and had to dig deep to turn matters round… if they could.
Again Turley almost produced some magic at the OB goal by trying a glancing header from a long throw in. It just went over the wrong side of the top bar.
Then the OB fired up and Brandon Masson crossed to Leon Skillen who blasted the ball on target just to find keeper Curran standing in his way holding the ball well.
The OB managed finally to win a double corner but still could not get the ball in the Celtic net.
With 15 minutes left, the OB looked a bit haggard and Celtic piled on the pressure seeking a second goal.
After several good charges at the home goal, it was Sean Ferris who nailed the coffin shut for the OB. A defender passed back to keeper Moore who tried to kick the ball up the pitch but he mis-judged the pace of Ferris racing in and as the keeper kicked the ball Ferris deflected it off his body and it bounced back and bobbled into the centre of the goal.
Check 40 action photos of the Celtic Bhoys match here.
It was an opportunistic goal in the 86th minute, well taken, and the Celtic players, bench and supporters exploded in raptures of pure joy. Ferris was mobbed by his team-mates as though he had scored the only goal in a Euros final.
The relief in the Celtic side was palpable, and the OB sensed defeat with just 4 minutes and extra-time left to play out.
Celtic proceeded in their attacks keeping the ball out of their half and when the final whistle blew they knew they had earned their place in the Junior Shield Semi-Final.
This win was all the more impressive as Celtic Bhoys has a number of key players out of action: Jordy McCoubrey was suspended, Blaine Connnoly was injured, and Sean McGaughey was on holidays to name a few.
Today Celtic Bhoys, Greencastle Rovers, Clough Rangers and St Mary’s (Newtownabbey) were winners and will be drawn in the next round, the semi-final, to play of the Wednesday and Thursday 19th and 20th March 2025.
Co-manager Chris Deegan said: “We had a few players missing today but the lads played like a team and there were some outstanding individual performances too to add to this.
“We are delighted with the result. A win is a win. We expected a much harder game but we prepared well for this one.
“So once aagain, well done to the squad. They are going well this season and they still have more under their belts to come.”
Check 40 action photos of the Celtic Bhoys match here.
Kelvin OB: 1 Daniel Moore (GK) 2 Nicholas Surgeon 3 Allan Dunning 4 Mark Gorman 5 McAuley Hillerby 6 Curtis Moorhead 7 Justin Masson 8 Brandon Masson 9 Pearse Tait 10 Dylan Rodgers 11 Leon Skillen. 12 Billiejoe McDowell. 14 Carl Surgeon. 15 Jack Scott.
Celtic Bhoys: 1 Nathan Curran (GK) 2 Ryan Doran 3 Eamon Gargan 4 Peter Turley 5 Michael Rice (C) 6 Jay Gibney 7 Corey McCartan 8 Caoimhim Groves 9 Sean Ferris 10 Jarleth Brannigan 11 Conaill Kerr. Subs: 12 Patrick Ferris 14 Niall Morrison 16 Christopher Cullen.
