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2017 will go down as one of the craziest seasons ever and today’s SFAI Cup tie was further evidence of this as the U16 SFAI Cup commenced while the two teams involved are still mid-way through the U15 Premier League. These are strange times indeed. The draw had not been kind to Celtic who having just lost to Malahide in the League Cup Semi-Final last Saturday welcomed last year's All Ireland quarter finalists Greystones. It was a draw neither team wanted. Both teams have been on great runs in the league. Both with only two defeats all season with Greystones only defeated once in their past 12 games. Something was going to have to give!!!!
Celtic were rocked before the start with news that three of their squad were out making the task ahead all the more difficult. Still the early exchanges were shared until a moment of indecision cost Celtic dearly. In an attempt to nurse the ball out of play on the left Celtic were dispossessed. The Greystones winger played the ball into his strike partner and with a neat finish the visitors were one up. Minutes later Celtic were rocked by a sending off. A hopeful ball split the Celtic defence. The Greystones striker chased the ball down 1 v 1 with Jonathan Zambrano. Both players went for the ball with the Greystones striker just winning the battle. An accidental collision took place. There was never an attempt to play the player only the ball but from where the Referee was he adjudged the offence a sending off. Unfortunate for young Zambrano but the Referees decision was accepted. What was not acceptable was the opposition lines immediate and repeated calls for a Red card. Something that is not needed at Schoolboy football. Down to 10 men after less than 15 minutes and a goal down made this an uphill task for Celtic but to their credit the lads re-grouped and started to ask questions of the Greystones defence. With 30 minutes on the clock they got their reward. Leigh Reilly cut in from the left and his shot edged right but was partially cleared to Nathan O’ Reilly. Nathan sought to pull the trigger but was taken down. PENALTY. Nathan dusted himself off and duly despatched the kick. 1-1 and game on. HT: 1-1.
There was more setback for Celtic at half time when Eric Hannon had to come off but Celtic remained up for the game. The half time talk was simple. “ Let the ball do the work. Quick release”. Once again the early exchanges were shared but as in the first half Celtic conceded within 10 minutes. A good exchange of play by Greystones saw them break down the left. The No 7 cut in but his path was cut off to goal by Tommy Bowe. The No 7 squared the ball for a simple tap in by the oncoming midfielder. Celtic had been ball watching and nobody picked up the runner. 1-2. Again Celtic dusted themselves off. Mark Hughes, Antonio Neto and Sean Daly worked their socks off but the Greystones midfield made nothing simple. With 15 minutes to go Daly did well to create a chance for Nathan whose header from 2 yards out beat the keeper but edged over the bar. Then in the last minutes a Neto free kick fell into the path of Paul O’ Neill who had made a perfect run but his shot from 6 yards went just over. From the resulting kick out Greystones broke swiftly and punished Celtic who had pushed everyone forward to make it 1-3 and put a flattering look to the final scoreline.FT: 1- 3
Credit to Greystones they are impressive outfit. They move the ball quickly, took their chances well and gave little away They can go far in this competition and we wish them well. As for Celtic , save for the scoreline, there is no need to be down. Some school boy errors yes but given that players and formations had to be changed during the game you can only but give credit to the lads. Watching the game one would not have noticed it was 10 v 11 such was the effort from the Celtic lads. With commitment like this Celtic can look forward to a strong finish to a busy season.
