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Celtic visited Leixlip for a game which would ultimately decide the league champions.
A win or a draw would be enough for Celtic however Leixlip needed to win.
On the home encounter Celtic were emphatic 4.1 winners and having been unbeaten in the league and
Cup so far and they had high hopes!
The game started sluggishly and the celts finally got used to the all weather pitch and a fine goal from
Jabari put them ahead. Ten minutes from the break and Jabari pounced on a defensive error to score again
And 3 minutes later it was 3 nil thanks to a 25 yard bullet from Sean Collins which flew over the keepers head and earned him a place on the goal of the season.
More of the same was expected in the second half however it wasn’t to be. An early goal gave the home team
Some confidence and ten minutes later they scored a second. Nerves from the visitors were obvious and
The passing and speed they showed all season was not evident today. Leixlip had the bit between their teeth and
They were the only team who looked likely to score, which they duly did with ten minutes remaining.
The draw would have been enough for Celtic but a free kick with 4 minutes remaining was not dealt with properly and the striker hit a fine shot high and over the keepers head.
Celtic sought the equaliser in vain.
As the saying goes “a game of two halves” and it certainly was today. Leixlip were faster and passed the ball much sharoer than Castleknock and thoroughly deserved the win.
It would be easy to say that they are not used to playing on the hard surface however it was more than that.
All the hard work and training for the whole season was spoiled by a lacklustre performance.
If they win their final game it leaves them clear in the runners up position losing top spot by just one point
and while this probably means automatic promotion and a cup semi final awaits them it was no consolation
to this disappointed and very tearful team.
The management and coaching staff will have to pick them up very quickly as a performance like this will certainly
not make it to the cup final.
