Celtic Bhoys topple Crumlin Utd in round two of Clarence Cup
The NAFL,
All Sport Insurance Ireland Clarence Cup Round 2,
Venue: Ballyhornan 3G, Saturday 31st January 2026,
Final Score: Celtic Bhoys 3 1 Crumlin Utd.
NAFL First Division side Crumlin Utd came to Ballyhornan to face Celtic Bhoys positioned in Division 2B in Round Two of the Clarence Cup, and on paper the match looked one-sided writes Jim Masson ©).
However, Celtic Bhoys proved once again to be giant killers and enjoyed a clear win over their rivals with Sean Mahon claiming two goals and Eamon Gargan the third.
The home team were a number of players short in their squad including Michael Rice, Kevin Groves, Jarleth Brannigan and Gerdie Collins. Assistant coach Chris Teggart said that a key issue for the team was players involved in shift work and finding time to play on Saturday and attend training, but despite that, the squad were producing results and are eyeing the 2A league table again this season.
The game got off to a brisk pace on a cold day at Ballyhornan with both teams testing each others defences. Crumlin started well hoping for an early goal but Celtic had other plans. Nathan Curran was solid in the nets and stopped a couple of early efforts by the visitors.
On 15 minutes, McMahon made an excellently-timed cross to Jordan Curran whose shot shaved the top bar.
Gradually Celtic started to get an upper hand and pressed into the Crumlin half more.
Celtic defender Eamon Gargan was making occasional breaks forward into the Crumlin back line. Then Crumlin fought back once more but the Celtic defence were working hard and hold Crumlin back.
Crumlin’s Daire McMenamin was pressing early and had a couple of shots at goal, one a low volley but keeper Nathan Curran held it well. Johnnie Bell too was in form and challenging the Crumlin defence early on.
Again Crumlin pressed and Matthew Donnelly volleyed on target but keeper Curran did well to get the ball under control.
Then on 34 minutes Sean McMahon scored from just outside the Crumlin box with a low volley to the left hand post putting Celtic a goal ahead, giving them some comfort room to settle into the game.
Then just on the half-time whistle Eamonn Gargan scored increasing the Celtic the lead once again at a crucial psychological juncture. Gargan headed the ball in from a corner kick just outside the 6-yard box.
The second half started and again play was competitive with both sides looking for an edge.
The Celtic bench made some important substitutions to refresh the team. Jordan Curran had received a yellow card and was replaced by Ryan Doran. Then at 60 minutes Bell came off and Peter Casey stepped into the action. And Patrick Ferris came on replacing Niall Morrison.
Celtic were holding on to their 2-0 lead well and in the final throes of the game, Crumlin pressed hard and eventually pulled off a goal by Ryan Lambe.
But Crumlin had no choice but to throw everything forward in the closing phase of the game and in doing so left Sean McMahon to score his second goal just before the final whistle at 90+4 minutes. Positioned in the Crumlin box, McMahon unleashed a shot which came off a defender and goalkeeper to put Celtic clearly into round 3.
This was a good performance by Celtic Bhoys against Crumlin Utd, but going into Round 3 the competition will be tougher. Still in the running into round 3 are NAFL first division teams such as Kilmore Rec, Rosario, Dunmurry YM, Derriaghy CC and Ards Rangers. Drumaness bowed out but have their focus on their Glentoran match this coming Saturday.
Celtic Bhoys: 1 Nathan Curran (GK) 2 Shaun Megahey 3 Eamon Gargan 4 Blaine Connolly 5 Jordan Deegans 6 Niall Morrison 7 Jordan Curran 8 Johnnie Bell 9 Jay Gibney 10 Sean McMahon 11 Conaill Kerr. Subs: 12 Patrick Ferris 14 Ryan Doran 15 Peter Casey.
Crumlin Utd: 1 Ruairi Murray 2 Ryan Gorman 3 Liam Cullen 4 Gerald Mallon (C) 5 Niall Burns 6 Eoin Gough 7 Matthew Donnelly 8 Conal Delaney 9 Ryan Lambe 10 Daire McMenamin 11 Odhran Ferry. Subs: 12 Niall Crawford 14 Christopher Campbell 15 Luke Delaney.
