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After last week's defeat it was evident that the “Honeymoon” period for Celtic in the Major was over. The Boys had played well in their last 2 games but despite dominating both games had one point from six to show for their efforts. Welcome to the real world lads – if you don’t take your chances you will be punished. And that’s what todays opponents, Finglas Utd, would seek to do. After a poor start to the campaign Finglas had enjoyed back to back wins and sat only a point behind Celtic so a tight encounter was expected.
Following a scrappy opening period Celtic took the lead with one of the goal of the season thus far. Evan Nolan out right found Leigh Reilly and the rest was pure magic as “Lethal Leigh” produced some early Halloween fireworks as he bewitched the two Finglas defenders before volleying the ball home from 10 yards. 1-0. Soon after it was two and again another excellent goal. Mark Hughes battled and won the ball deep in his own half before from just inside his half made a 40 yard defence splitting pass into the path of Kiano Ryan who in turn played a first time intelligent pass to Reilly who supplied the finish from 6 yards out. 2-0.
With 25 minutes on the clock it was three when Hughes curling shot was taken by the keeper who momentarily lost his concentration to allow the ball drop into the net. 3-0 but Celtic were far from dominating and were nearly punished at the end of the half when following poor distribution it was left to Donatus Mweke to make a goal saving tackle. HT: 3-0.
In what was proving to be a scrappy game Celtic were living dangerously as Finglas bravely battled their way back into the game and with a bit more luck could have pulled the game back to 3-2 as they hit the crossbar twice. As we know it’s small margins that make a difference and today having weathered the storm Celtic secured the points when Nolan finished with ease from a Reilly pass. 4-0. Five minutes from time Dylan Mc Donagh made it 5. Ironically, Mc Donagh, who had not scored in two seasons had fluffed two earlier opportunities and then with his most difficult chance danced through the Finglas defence a la Lionel Messi to score a wonderful individual goal. FT: 5-0.
A win and three points but this was far from being a good performance by Celtic and the scoreline does not do justice to a hardworking Finglas outfit. The quality of passing and movement just wasn’t there today. Having said that there were some positives – unlike last week the finishing that was missing was clinical today , Antonio Neto was quality in the holding midfield role while Ciaran Collins seems to get better game by game and of course if you can win by five when not playing your best then things ain’t that bad!!!. Com’n the Celts.
