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Castleknock Celtic came head to head against Vianney Boys for the third time this season at 3 different venues. This time it was at home in Porterstown Park on a mild morning after a couple of months of miserable rain. Celtic were keen to show the progress they have made this season, especially after an excellent win a couple of weeks ago at the National Sports Campus against Clontarf FC. They set about their task well. They held the visitors goal-less till midway through the first half, but a smart piece of finishing by Vianney gave them the advantage. Celtic did not lose heart and bounced back with a great piece of battling by Cosdel Burlacu who raced into the box to dispossess the Vianney keeper and set up Pedro Moreno who shot home into the far corner of the net to level things. 1-1 at half time.
The half time pep-talk worked for Celtic and they were in front early in the second half when Pedro put James Bannerman through and the striker hit the back of the net with his shot. Celtic were looking like they could gain their first win over these opponents this season. However, hesitation among the home side’s defence let in Vianney and they shot home from close range giving Celtic keeper Ahmad Niazi no chance. Ahmad had made some excellent saves in this game to make sure that his team would not suffer another defeat against these opponents. Celtic were also thankful for a crucial intervention by their mid-fielder Alvaro Moreno which prevented a certain goal. Conor Lawless, Ibrahim Hussein, and the Mulligan brothers, Ren and Rei, put in a great shift, while Reuben Aherne battled in the middle and showed the touch of the game with his back heel. Mohamed Dafallah came on to help the attack, but it was Cosdel who went oh so close to giving Celtic a win but his shot ended up in the side netting.
In the end it was a fair result between 2 battling sides, but Celtic can feel satisfied that they are progressing. It was a hard decision to make, but Ren Mulligan was given the man of the match award for a job-well-done. He was flattened at one point when the ball crashed into his head but after a drop of the magic water, he bounced back into action. Well done Ren.
