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After a poor performance last time out the Young Celts travelled to Palmerstown seeking to show that their last game against Joeys was just a blip. However it looked ominous for Celtic when regular custodian, Thomas Bowe, was forced out 30 minutes before KO by injury. The teamsheet was redone with Alex San Emeterio taking over as keeper.
Celtic started like an express train with Andrei Enache and Mark Hughes dominating the midfield and playing lovely balls to the mercurial Ciaran Collins, “Twinkle Toes” Kane and Leigh Reilly. Following early domination Celtic took the lead when Enache set up Reilly who did what he does best to put Celtic one up. The dominance continued and Hughes came close to increasing the lead when a shot hit the cross bar. Another goal was inevitable but it was a shock when Palmerstown levelled with a speculative long range shot that took a fortunate bounce before going in the net.
1-1 and Celtic were rocked. With confidence growing for Palmerstown, where their No 8 and No 6 were particularly prominent, Celtic had to rely on their centre backs Cathal Flynn and the in control Matthew Elliott, who played like the Kaiser, Franz Beckenbauer, to sweep up. As half time approached Celtic upped their game again with Collins and the introduced Dylan Mc Donagh leading the way. HT 1-1.
At half time all the Coaches could do was ask for more of the same. Enache took over in goals and it was a master stroke on two fronts as Enache made some fine saves while San Emeterio was proving a threat on the left. Celtic were in complete dominance and Hughes again coming close with a 25 yard shot that the brave Palmerstown keeper touched over before colliding with the post. Meanwhile “Messi” Collins was leading the Palmerstown a merry dance and only some great goalkeeping and bad luck denied the talented youngster a deserved goal.
Celtic were rocked midway through the half when Enache was forced off with an injury with Matthew Russell who had a good first half becoming Celtic's third keeper of the day. Celtic's dominance started to wane as fatique became a factor. Fresh legs were introduced with Kian Ryan, who had a quiet first half coming back on seeking to prove a point. Chances continued to come but again good keeping and deflections denied Celtic. With 10 minutes to go, Reilly who had come close earlier, won a ball with grit and determination, before beating three players and setting up San Emeterio whose shot was clearly handled but unfortunately it was unseen by the referee.
It clearly wasn’t Celtic’s day but young Ryan (that’s Kian with a K not Tubridy) had other thoughts as he slotted the ball home with 2 minutes to go in what was a case of the Late Late Show. Ryan was mobbed by his team mates and the youngster will have gained a lot of confidence from both his goal and second half performance. FT 2-1
A deserved win but it was a tense affair. With a much improved performance the players and Management were well pleased but there is still scope for improvement something that will be worked upon in the coming weeks. All in all, the Boys should be pleased with their efforts and deserve a well earned rest over the weekend.
