Celtic Bhoys win a place into the NFU Mutual Bobby Dalzell Cup Final.
The Newcastle and District Amateur Football League. NFU Mutual Bobby Dalzell Semi Cup Final. Celtic Bhoys 4 Killough 0
Celtic Bhoys could hardly put a foot wrong in the Bobby Dalzell Semi-Cup Final against Killough at the new 3G pitch in Ballyhornan writes Jim Masson.
It was a cool and blustery evening as the two rivals faced off for what should have been a cracking match. But with the total tunnel vision of both teams it turned out to be a hard-fought affair with referee James McCreesh having to control the game with his whistle making play less fluid.
Celtic had an early opportunity at two minutes when a cross from Peter Casey to Michael Rice saw his header bounce over the top bar. This was followed by another excellent quick attack by Barry Treacy putting the ball through to Nergus William’s-McCabe.
But despite the rapid attacks by Celtic, Killough quickly fought back in this fast paced match and Ruairi Sharvin put a cross through to the head of Jack McLaughlin who found the ball just a smidgeon too far to get into the back of the net. This attack was followed by a solid volley by Killough’s Eamon Gargan who was just off target.
But the match was up and down the pitch and it was Celtic’s midfielder Treacy who crossed to Jay Gibney who slammed the ball into the middle of the Killough net to open the scoring on the 8th minute. Celtic were passing well and moving the ball across the pitch opening up the Killough defence.
Killough were quick to reply in this very competitive match and captain Gareth George fired a shot over the Celtic top bar. Then it was Celtic’s turn as Casey launched a volley from 40 yards, a lovely curving ball dipping below the Killough crossbar but keeper Christopeher Mallon made a tremendous save finger-tipping it over the bar for a corner.
As the match progressed, Celtic’s passing seemed just a margin more accurate than Killough’s. despite Celtic Bhoys having the 3G pitch at Ballyhornan as their grounds, Killough also trains on the 3G so all the players were familiar with the feel of the pitch.
Killough were increasingly put under pressure by Celtic and inevitably the number of fouls grew as the Killough defenders struggled for control. On a break at 21 minutes Caoimhin Groves hit a low rocket but it was inches wide of the wrong side of the post.
But in this sea-saw match Celtic were on the rebound up the pitch and captain Michael Rice nailed the ball to the Killough net putting his side 2-0 up at 24 minutes.
Again Killough quickly replied breaking into the Celtic goal area and Conor Kelly cut the ball back to Cillian Burns but the ball just went out of his reach to secure a goal, but demonstrated Killough did not come to play second fiddle. And just seconds later Kelly made an excellent pass to Groves who struck the ball on the turn but his shot on target was blocked.
Then as the head of Celtic pressure built up, Killough fought back with several challenges to the Celtic goal. Jack McLaughin made a long solo run into the Celtic goal area from the half way line and got into a shooting position and fired just wide.
As the play rocked to and fro, Casey launched a volley at the Killough goal, then Treacy broke through the Killough back line and his volley was just over the bar. As the first period came to a close, Killough made several attacking runs but could not convert.
The second half proved more fractious as the rate of heavy challenges increased on both giving no quarter. Celtic’s Gary Carberry made a solid cross to Gibney who struggled to get his header on target. Then it was Gibney’s turn to test the Killough keeper with a header which he just managed to tip over the top bar for a corner.
Play became a bit disjointed as the half progressed with numerous stops for fouls and injuries. Certainly Celtic were less up on their toes in the second bruising half. As Killough struggled to open their scoring, sub Declan Looney fired a shot at the right hand corner of the net but miraculously Nathan Curran blocked it.
Then on the 64th minute Gibney knocked the ball on to Sean McMahon who scored putting the game almost out of the Killough’s reach. Despite the period of sustained Killough attacks, it was Celtic who turned the tables in this quick break.
A quick reply by Killough saw George shoot wide of the posts. Then in true end to-end-stuff, Gerard Collins almost put Celtic up another goal but he was stopped by the gritty Killough defenders.
Just to add more punishment to the pain already inflicted on Killough, Celtic Bhoys forward Jay Gibney in the 70th minute made a powerful run into the Killough defence and found the space to shoot scoring Celtics fourth goal.
Killough proudly battled to the end, and despite the goal difference, put up a solid performance but were outclassed by a Celtic squad who were passing well, focussed, and who converted their chances to goals.
In the dying embers of the match Killough had several chances to score as Celtic sat back, but it was not to be their day.
Celtic Bhoys go on to play the winners of the semi-final between Dundrum United and Ardglass FC at Ballyhornan at 7.30pm Friday 19th November.
Celtic Bhoys: Nathan Curran, Sean McGahey, Blaine Connolly, Gary Carberry, Michael Rice (C), Gerard Collins, Barry Treacy, Peter Casey, Jay Gibney, Jordan McCoubrey, Nergus Williams-McCabe. Subs: Conaill Kerr, Stephen Galbraith, Sean McMahon, Corey McCartan.
Killough: Christopher Mallon, Sean Og Burns, Gareth George (C), Eamon Gargan, Ruairi Sharvin, Matthew McKiernan, Declan Burns, Caoimhin Groves, Cillian Burns, Connor Kelly, Jack McLaughlin. Subs: Declan Looney. Tony McIlhone, Lee Murphy, Riain Burns.
