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14A Sat: Celtic keep pressure on league leaders. 1-0
Celtic secured three vital points at home in Porterstown to arch rivals Kilnamanagh by a single goal.
After two weeks of summer exams and break without football in sight, Celtic had to play two important games in a 48 hour period. On a rainy Thursday night they travelled to Sacred Heart in the Hollywood Cup, without three key players James Caffrey, Kacem Touihri and Luca Ursache. Heavy legs didn't stop them putting in an excellent performance and with goals from Sean Odusole, Dino Dervisic and Ciaran Murray they won 3-0 and progress to the next round.
Less than two days later they were facing a strong Kilnamanagh side who are placed right behind Celtic and pushing for promotion spot. These 2 teams played each other a few times recently and every time it was close. With Alex McCormack suffering with muscle problem from tough game on Thursday, the hosts had Caffrey, Ursache and Touihri back in the squad.
From the very first minute the visitors pushed forward trying to exploit any fatigue in the home side. Kilnamanagh were playing excellent football in the middle of the park and shifting the ball quickly from one side to the other. In the first quarter of the game, Celtic were chasing shadows and it looked like they were getting tired. Fortunately, Kilnamanagh were missing that final killer ball while Celtic's back four of Doherty, Touihri, De Bhatuin and Hosford were standing tall.
The first chance of the game went to the visitors when they clipped the outside of the post with a beautiful volley. The second quarter was a different story with Celtic creating a couple of chances. Firstly, Klevis Malaj had a great opportunity to put the home side in front but his shot went wide. Minutes later Sean Odusole was put through by Ciaran Murray but the keeper saved. Without goals and most of the game played in the middle of the pitch, the half ended 0-0.
Celtic started the second half as the dominant side and maintained that dominance to the end of the game. Ciaran Murray went close early on as his header from a Dervisic cross went straight to the keeper. Soon after Caffrey and Odusole saw their shots go wide. Celtic's central midfield duo of Olti Berisha and Robert Best were controlling the game and were working hard to stop the visitors from creating any opportunities. Kilnamanagh tried to get the ball wide to avoid the strong Celtic midfield but all of their efforts were spoiled by Kacem Touihri and man of the match Liam Hosford. Ever reliable centre backs, Sam Doherty and the excellent Proinsias de Bhatuin who put their heads where some wouldn't put their feet shows the battling spirit that this team have.
With 15 minutes left on the clock the deadlock was finally broken. A lofted pass from captain Doherty found Odusole free on the edge of the box and he calmly put it past the keeper for 1-0. It looked like that goal was too much for the visiting Kilnamanagh side who didn't have the answer to Celtic's attacking football. The home side were finishing this game strongly and creating more good chances. Kilnamanagh had one last long range shot, but Sabin Ghet wasn't troubled by it.
A very important win and three vital points for Celtic. The Celts are marching on in hot pursuit of Liffey Valley Rangers who lead the division!
