Celtic Bhoys enjoy a league victory over Ulster University at Ballyhornan 3G
The NAFL,
League Division 2B,
Venue: Ballyhornan 3G pitch on 28 12 24,
Final Score: Celtic Bhoys 3 1 Ulster University.
Celtic Bhoys are top of Division 2B in the NAFL and faced a real challenge from hopefuls Ulster University in this top of the table league clash writes Jim Masson.
Celtic are currently now on 26 points, 8 points clear of rivals Carryduff Colts but Ulster University are in third spot with 14 points and were looking for a win at Ballyhornan.
On a cool day at Ballyhornan, Celtic soon put themselves about challenging the visitors and attacked from the whistle. Jay Gibney made a neat chip to Eamon Gargan who blasted the ball over the top bar in an early move.
Then in a free kick for Celtic, defender Shaun Megahey hit a spot-perfect ball to the head of Peter Turley who headed down just missing the right hand corner of the Ulster University goal.
Celtic were testing constantly and a long ball to McCoubrey forced keeper Conor Small to come racing out. This was another half opportunity for Celtic. Then Gargan in a goal-mouth scramble tried to push the ball over the line almost succeeding.
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Ulster Uni were making several good attacks at the Celtic goal too and their first real opportunity came from a free kick by Ryan Spiers but the shot was blocked on the Celtic goal line, a close shave for Celtic after having made most of the running so far.
in a flurry of passes the ball again ended up deep into the visitors’ half and on 14 minutes Jordan McCoubrey hit the ball over the head of the keeper racing out to meet him for a well taken goal.
But Ulster Uni immediately fought back upping their game but it took them another 10 minutes to get an equaliser when Spiers received a cross from the right running into the Celtic box and he first-timed his shot giving keeper Stephen Moore no chance with the volley.
Celtic now realised that although they had dominated some of the play that they had their work cut out and important points were at stake.
The home side pressed hard and won a couple of corners and there were a couple of creative moves from Gargan to Gerdy Collin keeping Ulster Uni on their toes.
Corey McCartan too was making a few good runs on the right wing.
In one attack McCoubrey retrieved the ball in a tackle and passed to Gibney who fired and was unlucky to hit the side net.
As the whistle went for half-time, Ulster Uni were pressing for a goal.
The second half proved to be a dour affair, much more physical. With only 2 yellow cards in the first half, there were another 5 in the second half testifying to the change in approaches to the game which stopped and started with injuries.
Celtic seemed more energised and focussed and an early attack by Gibney almost saw him squeeze the ball past keeper Small. Then there were calls for a penalty when McCoubrey hit the ground in the Ulster Uni box. Gibney and McCoubrey were relentless in pressing forward.
Celtic won a free kick 4 yards outside the visitor’s box and a short pass to Gibney saw him slot the ball in past the keeper to put Celtic back in the lead on 65 minutes.
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The game started to melt dow a bit at this stage as Ulster Uni felt is slipping away from them and Celtic were pressing hard. Play became more centred in the Ulster Uni half for most of the time. McKinney and Curran got involved in a spat and received yellows as the temperature of the game rose.
Again Celtic almost scored from a free kick from Gargan with McCartan getting a glancing header opportunity but it was blocked.
At one stage Ulster Uni made a break with Joel O’Hara crossing to Taylor Lewis and as keeper Moore was under pressure James Brown tried a header but it was held.
As Celtic pressed forward they won a number of corners and at one stage Gargan took a throw in to the head of Peter Turley who hit in just over the top bar.
Then on one minute into extra time as Ulster Uni still hoped for an equaliser, Conaill Kerr made a tremendous volley from the back of the box giving keeper Small no chance of saving it putting Celtic safely into the lead with a two goal cushion.
Celtic had secured their vital goal, but it was a very hard physical slog with tempers rising at times, however, the match was well refereed by Damien Laverty who managed to keep control of the volatility.
Celtic Bhoys are well on course to top the league as they are showing their worth, but winning the key matches on the back of the holidays will be crucial in they are to get promotion to Division 2A where they should be quite comfortable in. Head coach Shane Adair and his management team seem well in control.
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Celtic Bhoys: 1 Stephen Moore (GK) 2 Shaun Megahey 3 Eamon Gargan 4 Blaine Connolly 5 (Michael Rice (C) 6 Jordan Curran 7 Corey McCartan 8 Peter Turley 9 Jay Gibney 10 Jordan McCoubrey 11 Gerard Collins. Subs: 12 Peter Casey 14 Conaill Kerr 16 Caoimhin Groves.
Ulster University: 1 Conor Small (GK) 3 Kris Dines 4 Jonathan Magennis 5 Donal Faulkner 6 Dylan Lemahieu 7 Taylor Lewis 8 James Brown 9 Femi Yusseff 10 Joel O’Hara 11 Ryan Spiers. Subs: 14 Joshua Crothers 15 Jack Connor 18 T McKinney.
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