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Whatever you say about this group of Celtic Warriors, who mix the brilliant (their football) with the bad (their indiscipline), they are never boring and today would be no exception. On paper this was a mismatch as Ratoath are the unbeaten runaway league leaders and had completed the double over the Celts. However anyone who had witnessed both games would have known there’s little to choose between these teams.
From the off Celtic took the game to Ratoath however they were set back after less than 5 minutes when a through ball by Ratoath just slipped out of keeper, Eoin Farnhams hands giving the Ratoath winger a simple finish. 0-1. However this was only a blip for Celtic as they began to dominate with Eoin Devlin and James Davy seeing a lot of ball out wide. Alex Regan and Liam O’ Neill both had good chances while Omar Emara just failed to touch home one of Davy’s excellent corners. Despite having nearly 70% possession the Celts just could not breakdown the well organised Ratoath defence. HT: 0-1
The half time huddle told its own story – the Guys were up for this. The message was clear keep doing what you are doing and you will win this game. The start of the half mirrored the first Celtic with the ball but a breakaway goal was conceded. A speculative shot from 30 yards by the Ratoath midfielder squirmed under the arms of Celtic’s keeper into the net. Who’d be a keeper in football? It’s a thankless job. This appeared to deflate Celtic and while dominating possession they seemed to lack the creativity of the first half. Ratoath were now dominating Celtic’s midfield where their extra player was making a difference. Luke Mulcahy was introduced to counter this and while this worked it meant that Regan was having to work overtime up front. With 15 minutes of the half gone Ratoath were three up when their winger’s shot from out right went in off the bar to make it 0-3. The league leaders were three up and it was game over. Paddy Power even refused to take any more bets!!.
In truth Celtic were shell shocked. Their display did not deserve this scoreline. Caution was thrown to the wind as Celtic went 3 – 4 - 2 but it would take something special to get back into the game. Step up Peter Germaine. Following good work by Narcis Catre and Davy the ball was spread right into the box to Germaine who hit the sweetest right footed drive into the left hand corner. 1 -3. There was 20 minutes left and the Celts had HOPE. Rob Laffey and Regan were inspirational and seemed to be saying remember Instanbul 2005. The pace of the game was upped and soon it was 2-3 when Laffey’s determination saw him turn HOPE into BELIEF. However Celtic seemed to shoot themselves in the foot when Emara was sent off for a second bookable offence having stupidly got involved when trying to retrieve the ball from the net following Laffey’s goal. When will Celtic learn that they have to allow Referees to make the decisions not themselves???
Surely the mountain was too high to climb – not on your life. You’d never have known Celtic had only 10 players as they drove at the shell shocked Ratoath defence. Mulchay, Davy, Regan and Germaine constantly probed. With 10 minutes left Mulcahy was fouled inside the box but as he rose to his feet the Referee played advantage only for the ball to be cleared . Back it came and again it fell to Mulcahy who this time was floored – PENALTY. Up stepped the “Ice Man” Catre. 3-3. We don’t know what goes on in Narcis’s head but for sure he has Ice in his veins. Less than 10 minutes remained but you just knew there was another act to follow.
Only one team looked capable of winning this and Celtic were this team. The winner came with five minutes remaining - Davy fed Regan, who having dragged the ball wide, comfortably beat the advancing Ratoath keeper with a sweet LEFT FOOT shot.4-3. Cue wild celebrations but there was still four minutes left. To their credit Celtic battled for every ball with Davy & Regan doubling up in midfield and attack. In truth Celtic saw the tie out in comfort and were unlucky not to make it five when, after the Ratoath keeper took Davy out just outside the box, Narcis free kick beat the keeper only to see the ball clip the underside of the bar before bouncing on the line allowing the keeper to react quickly to save. FT 4-3.
A deserved win against a well organised Ratoath team. There were heroes everywhere but some deserve special mention. Daniel Hughes had one of his best games for the Club while Marty Gedominas once again looked a class apart. Narcis was, on the left, superb all day. Gavin Keane and Rob in midfield put in a terrific shift and the victory was in no small due to their hard work while James & Alex up front ran themselves and the Ratoath defence silly. There was plenty of smiles and high fives at the end and the returning Sean Costello will have his work cut out to get back into this team. The only injury doubt for next week maybe Coach Hughes who may have pulled a muscle such was his ridiculous emotive celebration for the winning goal. Roll on next week. For sure this team gives value for money although I’m not so sure it’s good for the heart.
