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Deserved Draw for Celtic v Portmarnock
Celtic had mixed feelings going into this game. They were confident having taken the 3 points in their opening game of the season on a grass surface. They had not had much luck since that auspicious start. Today’s game was on the Portmarnock all-weather astroturf on Paddy’s Hill.
Portmarnock looked the more likely in the opening half, winning most of the exchanges. The Celtic defence was standing firm, with Joseph Dunne, Ren Mulligan and Ibrahim Hussein keeping the Port attack under control. The Port centre half was however venturing forward and proving a handful. He surged forward halfway through the half and raced along the wing, evading tackle after tackle, before he crossed into the box. The ball was struck home, but the referee adjudged that the ball had gone over the end line and out of play – a close call for Celtic.
Ibrahim Hussein was having a superb game, covering well in his defensive third, and on one occasion, he made a fantastic intervention, putting in a crunching tackle as the Port striker looked certain to score. There was a sigh of relief in the Celtic ranks as Ibrahim made this vital stop, which captain Ren was quick to applaud. Ren himself was battling manfully, and he got a kick in the face for his trouble as he attempted to head the ball at the half way line, but it did not slow him down as he was to play a captain’s role in this game.
Pedro Moreno and Costel Burlacu were challenging for everything in the middle. James Bannerman went very close with his effort on goal. Ruben Aherne was putting in the tackles when he came on for James. One of the most important interventions of the half was made by Celtic keeper Ahmad Niazi when a Port shot on goal skidded up off the turf, but the Celtic keeper made a magnificent stop. The sides were still level however at half time.
The second half was again evenly contested. Mohamed came on for Costel in the middle, and he competed for possession as he attempted to create opportunities.
It was Portmarnock who eventually broke the deadlock halfway through the half. Adam Gardiner got possession and he set up Josh Case who unleashed a ferocious shot that keeper Pedro could not stop. Though it was a blow for the battling Celtic, they did not lose heart. They continued to press forward at every opportunity. Rei Mulligan had joined his brother in the defence when Ibrahim came ashore after a man of the match performance. Rei began setting up attacks, finding his team mates, including Ren who was breaking into the Port half at every opportunity with his powerful runs forward. On one such surge, he found James who broke into the box and the striker rifled home from 8 yards out. There was great exultation, with Ren lifting James into the air. pics The relief was palpable.
Celtic now had the bit between their teeth and they almost won it when Pedro, who had re-joined the midfield let fly from 30 yards out, but his shot crashed against the crossbar and back into play.
This was a great performance by all of the Celtic squad and they thoroughly deserved their share of the points against a Portmarnock side who were second in the table at the start of play today. Well done to all the lads who are improving all the time, due mainly to their coach Craig McGivern who takes the sessions each Wednesday in the National Aquatic Centre astro pitch.
