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Celtic got the second half of their season underway after the long Christmas break. Having won 3 and drawn 1 of their last 4 games before the break, the coach was looking to see if the level of performance could be maintained. High flying Harold’s Cross were the home team and had lost one of their 10 league games before k/o, indeed one of those a big scoring win in Porterstown, so the coach knew this would be a real indication of progress or not.
Harolds Cross is a club well knowm to this coach as it is where he began his football journey way back in 1974. The ground is named in memory of Paddy Brennan, who was the coach of the u/12s back in the day before he became Club Secretary for 30 years or so. A big football man in every way he devoted his life to his community, and didn’t know why people admired him so much for all he did.
So the action started and what a game it was. Harold’s Cross started brightly and were trying to get in behind the Castleknock defence on the flanks, but Daniel who captained the side used his pace to cover the back 3 and Celtic began to get a foothold in the game.
Saleem up front by himself was holding the ball up well and from one of these passages of play, the ball was laid back to Declan O’Malley who tried his luck from 20 yards only to see his effort go narrowly wide.
Celtic were competing well all over the pitch and were always looking to find the right pass, and to be fair Harold’s Cross were playing some good stuff too.
Declan, Ross Kennedy and Daniel were comfortable at the back while Connor on the right and Eoghan Smithers on the left gave good cover to the full backs and understood the shape of the team when out of possession. Owen Boyle worked hard and was positive when on the ball, while Saleem was supported by Chesney, who was given the job of dropping back when necessary.
But 20 minutes in, Celtic conceded when a ball into the area was scrambled home. 1-0 Harolds Cross. Celtic were not feeling sorry for themselves and nearly equalized but for some last ditch defending and maybe the wrong option being chosen when in good position, (the big plus being all the hard work was done). Danny, Connor and Simon had joined the action but just before half time Harold’s Cross scored a second, a breakaway goal allowing the striker to slot home from close range.
The message at half time was to keep the effort and passing going as the entire group felt the game was still in the melting pot. Declan went up front for the second half and quickly started to cause problems for the home team’s defence with his pace and clever movement. All the play was in the home team’s half and it was no surprise when Celtic got one back, Declan timing his run well and finishing in some style when 1 on 1 with keeper.
Celtic piled on the pressure but the home defence stood strong, when they did break out Jessie made good decisions, leaving his box to clear long balls, and setting up play with good distribution. Celtic got behind the home team’s defence on several occasions, however the equalizer didn’t come and as the final whistle went, there was loud applause from the parents’ line shared by both sets of parents. Now about that progress we mentioned earlier, clearly big strides have been made by this squad, now there is a belief that we can play anyone and give a good account of ourselves. Well done too to Harold’s Cross on a very good game. They will probably win the league, which would have pleased my old coach and later in life my friend Paddy. Well done lads today, areally good performance.
