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The Castleknock U17’s travelled to Navan Rd Utd for their first game in 4 weeks. It was also 4 weeks since the Celts surrendered a 3-0 lead which led to a self inflicted 4-3 defeat. The Teams preparations were hampered with the unavailability of keeper Eoin Farnham but despite this, in the warm up, there was a quiet air of confidence. The only question was whether the confidence was misplaced.
Celtic started like a team that was keen to put their indifferent and inconsistent form behind them. Their passing and quick movement were a joy to behold and the only surprise was that they did not find the net although this was thanks in no small part to the outstanding performance of the Navan Rd keeper who did his best Manuel Neuer impression all day. For Celtic Liam O’ Neill proved a great target man while James Davy on the right wing was a sight to behold as he brought a physicality to his breathtaking ball control and delivery. In midfield Rob Laffey was a true leader and behind him Gavin Keane was a rock in a holding midfield role. All Navan Rd had to offer was the long ball which Marty Gedonimas and Omar Emara dealt with time and time again. Such was Celtic’s dominance that full back Daniel Hughes was spending more time in attack than defence. It was therefore a complete surprise when Navan Rd took the lead. Another long ball and this time the defence let it run back to stand in keeper, Narcis Catre, who unfortunately took his eye off the ball dropping same allowing the alert Utd striker to run on and tap home. 1-0.
Unperturbed Celtic fought back – still passing still probing. But the woodwork(twice) and some great keeping from the Utd No 1 kept Celtic scoreless. Keane came close with a thunderous left foot strike that hit the inside bottom corner and came back across the goal. Celtic levelled after a stroke of luck when a Davy cross was headed into the net by the unfortunate Utd defender. 1-1. Then something strange happened – from the kick off Utd hit another long ball with their winger about 5 yards offside but for some reason the referee missed it and to his credit the Navan rd player stayed calm to finish well. HT: 2-1.
At half time all the Coaches could say was “more of the same. Your time will come”. Emara took over in goal and Peter Germaine and Adam Rahaman were introduced. Germaine had been out all season with a bad leg injury but he was quick to get into the pace of the game and after 15 minutes he won Celtic a penalty. Good build up play involving Keane, Laffey and Alex Regan saw Germaine run onto a true ball. Doing everything right he lifted the ball over the advancing keeper only to see the defender run back and deliberately handle the ball. A penalty but no sending off. Up stepped Sean Costello to plant the ball home 2-2.
Tails up Celtic searched for another. Regan and Costello came close and then there was a special moment. An exchange of about 15 passes involving Narcis Catre, Laffey, Regan and Germaine before Costelloe was put through with a defence splitting pass where he drilled a wonderful shot from a tight angle on the left. A goal – no it was more than that it was a Wonder Goal and a worthy contender for any Goal of the season. 3-2.
Celtic continued to dominate but with 15 minutes left having made two changes the midfield and defence got caught out allowing the Navan Rd Utd midfielder breakthrough and finish well. 3-3.
Still Celtic weren’t finished Eoin Devlin came close and then James Davy broke through and hit a wonderful strike from 10 yards out with power and accuracy. It was a goal all the way but miraculously and I mean miraculously the Utd keeper pulled off the save of this or any other season. For the last 5 minutes Celtic bombarded the Utd defence who stubbornly and courageously held on. FT: 3-3.
A crazy game. Navan Rd only had about 3 attacks and scored 3 goals. Celtic had about 75% possession had about 33 attacks and only scored 3 goals. But lets pay credit to Utd for their hard work and defensive performance particularly their keeper. As for Celtic aside from not winning who could complain. Their best team performance of the year plus seeing Germaine back on the pitch again was definitely a plus. In addition the outstanding performances of James Davy, Rob Laffey and Gavin Keane made the trip worthwhile. And a game that produced the goal of the season by Costelloe and the save of the century from the Utd keeper meant that everyone went home with a smile on their faces. The Celtic coaches were also happy and will hope that the Celtic Boys can build on this performance in both the League and Cup games to come with a view to delivering on their undoubted potential.
