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After last week's defeat Celtic were keen to get back to winning ways as they welcomed Drumcondra to Porterstown. It proved to be a disastrous start when after one minute they conceded a controversial penalty for an alleged foul on the Drums striker who was about to tap the ball into the net following a good through ball. To those watching Costello appeared to have won the ball cleanly but unfortunately the Referee decreed not and as the Celtic player was last man the Referee had to show him a red card. The Drums player duly scored from the spot and after last weeks debacle it looked like Celtic would be in for a long afternoon.
Drums sought to capitalise and in the following quarter created a number of chances but fortunately the deficit remained only one. To their credit Celtic battled back in a 4-4-1 formation and while unable to create many goal scoring opportunities appeared to have weathered the storm only to concede a goal in the last minute of the half. Drumcondra’s midfield switched play with a through ball to the right where the on running winger struck a perfect right footed drive into the left corner leaving keeper Eoin Farnham with no chance. HT: 0-2.
Two down Celtic went 3-4-2 with Management saying that the next goal would decide the game. Celtic to their credit took the game to Drumcondra with James Davy and Alex Regan constantly looking threatening up front. Chances came with the closest being a Narcis Catre free kick that edged over the bar and Regan with a gilt edged chance from a Davy cross that saw the strikers header from 4 yards go over the keeper and the bar. Minutes later Regan was taken down in the box after knocking the ball past the keeper but nothing was given. It was one of those days.
Fresh legs were introduced in the form of Eoin Devlin and Cian Galvin and while this resulted in more pressure the all important goal eluded them . Despite Celtic’s dominance Drumcondra remained a threat and nearly secured the points when a perfectly struck shot from the edge of the box brought, what can only be described, as a world class save from keeper Farnham.
With literally a minute left on the clock Celtic got a break when awarded a penalty and the coolest player on the pitch, Narcis, duly obliged. 1-2. It looked like a valiant defeat or so we thought. The question was would the Referee add the stoppage time. To his credit he did and to the Boys credit they never stopped. Another passing passage of play with Devlin and Davy to the fore saw Regan force the ball home, following a good save by the Drumcondra keeper. 2-2.
Drumcondra were shell shocked and Celtic sensed a win. Within a minute, the last minute, Celtic scored a third. Captain Marty Gedominas, who had been majestic, strode forward and although fouled the Referee played advantage as the ball fell to Regan. The keeper saved but the ball broke loose. Everyone went for it but it was Devlin who got the all important touch to force it home. 3-2 and with it the full time whistle.
Heart break for Drumcondra and after a valiant second half defensive display they will be devastated to concede three goals in the last five minutes.
From Celtic’s point of view all we can do is praise the lads for their work ethic, temperament and attitude in what were difficult circumstances. Last week the Boys let themselves down but this week saw a complete turnaround in attitude and discipline. A special mention to Narcis Catre who has to be named Man of the Match thanks to both his defensive and offensive efforts. The lad is talented and if he could apply himself every week he would be a world beater.
