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Celtic got nothing for their Herculean efforts away to Kilnamanagh close to Exit 10 on the M50, but they came home with their heads held high after a great performance, and amid more cries for goal-line technology.
Celtic could have been ahead early on but efforts from James Cremin, Marcus Clinton and most of all Dawide Nycz did not find the net. Dawide on one occasion headed his effort down and his header appeared to be over the line (see photo) but the referee waved away the appeals from the Celtic players, especially James who was less than a meter away. Any of these players if Dame Fortune had smiled more favourably today would have had a couple of goals to their credit. Instead it was Kilnamanagh who took a 2 goal advantage into the half time break.
Celtic struck back in the second half. A marvellous run from his own half with the ball by Marcus Clinton took him into the home side's penalty box. He took aim and hit a brilliant shot into the near corner (action). Celtic fought like demons for the equaliser. But it was the Tallaght side who got the next goal to restore their 2 goal advantage when they took advantage of a favourable refereeing decision in the box when their front man scored after apparently pushing Kevin Balaban to the ground.
Andrew Maguire was having his most creative game. He was shifting the ball quickly to the frontmen with the deftest of flicks. He was also putting in a shift as he repeatedly raced back to defend when the defence was under pressure. Rhys McLoughlin was again showing the strides forward he has made in recent weeks after he converted from keeper to outfield player, battling to regain possession and always looking to pick out a pass to his team mates. Sadjo Barry was introduced and was dangerous when he broke forward, and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.
The partnership at the back of Kevin and his brother Sebastian Balaban worked very well with both putting in their best performance for Celtic. While it was hard to select a man of the match, in the end the award was shared by both. Behind them, Niall Maloney yet again was in fine form and had no chance for any of the goals.
Despite these impressive performances, Kilnamanagh stretched their lead as Celtic chased the game. Celtic felt frustrated on occasions by free kicks being awarded to them instead of allowing advantage which hindered their efforts to restore equality. Dawide did get Celtic’s second when he rifled into the far corner with a rasping shot that eluded the despairing dive of the keeper (action). They continued to press and on another day, they could have converted these chances. James was through on goal, but his shot was inches wide. Marcus hit a rasping shot which was heading into the angle of the bar and post, but the keeper clawed it away to safety (action). Despite a huge effort by all the players in the squad, they were unable to make further inroads into the home defence. Well done to Kilnamanagh for their hard fought victory, but Celtic will relish a return game as they were in fairness unlucky not to force a draw at least today. (action)
