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Castleknock Celtic 3 – 1 Firhouse Carmel
“Celtic hold nerve to edge home in tight encounter with Firhouse ”
Following a solid start to life in the Major Castleknock welcomed Firhouse Carmel to Porterstown Park for their first home game of the season. The two teams had been promoted last season and over two closely fought games honours had been shared. Both would be eager to gain an early advantage in what is going to be a long season with some high quality teams in the division.
Celtic enjoyed the better of the early exchanges but struggled to make their possession count. As the half wore on Firhouse came more and more into the game. Indeed they had the ball in the net following their first real attack only to see it disallowed for offside. Celtic immediately responded with a goal of their own – Mark Hughes took the ball from a throw, turned inside and played a 25 yard square ball to Ciaran Collins who only had one thing in mind – shoot. Collins looked up and powered home a shot from 25 yards out over the keeper and into the net. 1-0. This should have been a launch pad for Celtic but Firhouse were having none of it. With 5 minutes of the half left Firhouse thought they had equalised with another good finish but again the Referee, who to his credit was in a good position ,deemed it offside. Just on half time, following a corner, Firhouse were awarded what appeared to be a soft penalty. Up stepped their midfielder who finished with a majestic strike. After two disallowed goals justice had probably been done. HT: 1-1
Firhouse started the half as they finished the first - working hard and forcing a lethargic Celtic back. To their credit Celtic came back in to what was becoming a game of attrition. The next goal would be crucial and fortunately it came Celtics way with a well worked goal. Evan Nolan won the ball and fed Hughes. Hughes cut in past a player before playing the ball out right between 2 defenders to the on running Kian Ryan. Kiano went past the defender and drove the ball across the box where the on running Leigh Reilly forced the ball home from 2 yards out. Celebration but more relief than anything else. 2-1.
Celtic had their tails up and pushed for a third. Collins was taken down by the keeper on the edge of the box but Hughes’ well struck free kick was knocked parried away by the Firhouse keeper who bravely continued on despite being injured. The points were secured when Nolan volleyed home from 6 yards following a Hughes corner. 3-1. To their credit Firhouse kept battling and despite creating the better chances in the dying minutes could not breach the Celtic defence. FT: 3-1
Three hard earned points for Celtic but this was far from being a quality performance. There were positives – 3 well worked goals and occasional good passing but this was matched by far too many errors as well. Firhouse deserve credit for never allowing Celtic to settle and when they had the ball always looked to attack with purpose. Firhouse will also consider themselves unlucky not to have maybe shared the spoils having seen two well finished goals disallowed for offsides. All in all this was a close affair and while not always easy on the eye neither teams efforts can be questioned.
For Celtic it’s 2 games down – a solid start with 2 different performances. If nothing else these Celtic lads will always have you on the edge of their seats and we all look forward to next week's exciting adventure.
