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Cabinteely end Celtic’s unbeaten Home run with quality display”
Due to the wettest winter on record Castleknock were surprised to hear that Porterstown was playable and with the chance to play their second game in three months and their first in two and a half. It was really like pre-season all over again. Ironically the opposition was Cabinteely who the Celts defeated on the opening day of the season. A lot has changed since then with Cabinteely top of the table and a 100% record since that September warning and they arrived with the clear intention of winning and avenging their only blemish so far this season. Since that opening game Celtic, while only suffering one league defeat, have had an up and down season with injuries and illnesses leading to inconsistent performances. Still there was some reason for optimism as the Coaches welcomed the return of Messrs Elliott, Hughes & Reilly who had missed the month of January – all with leg injuries. All of this made for an intriguing game and would possibly tell us where the Celts really ranked in the Major league.
The early exchanges were even – Cabinteely’s nice neat passing being matched by Castleknock’s more direct play. Cabinteely secured an early lead when following a corner the Cabo striker was left unmarked and unchallenged inside the box allowing him the opportunity to provide a quality finish from 12 yards out. 0-1. Cabo pressed and forced three corners in quick succession and while Celtic looked uncomfortable the scoreline remained unchanged. As the half wore on Celtic gained an upper hand in terms of possession. Evan Nolan was having his best game of the season and along with Kian Ryan they were causing Cabinteely some concerns along their left flank. Despite possession the only opportunities were a Leigh Reilly effort with his shot, when one on one with the keeper, hitting the side netting and a long range Mark Hughes effort that flew over. HT: 0-1
The early exchanges of the second half were closely fought and it was evident the next goal would decide the game. Unfortunately for Celtic it fell Cabinteelys way. Again a corner, again a failed clearance this time two Celtic players inexplicably letting the ball drop in front of them allowing the Cabo midfielder to greatfully accept the gift by touching home. Appalling defending and with it a 0-2 scoreline.
Effectively it was game over. Cabinteely rarely looked in trouble thereafter and while not creating many chances always looked comfortable as they moved the ball with ease. To their credit Celtic laboured and came close with a great move involving Antonio Neto, Dylan Mc Donagh and Ciaran Collins that saw a lovely Collins header beat the keeper but also the far post but in truth Cabinteely ran out deserved winners. FT: 0-2
And so a bad day for Celtic. Their unbeaten home record stretching back nearly two and a half years to the first week of September 2013 tamely surrendered. One could argue that playing on a grass pitch for the first time in 3.5 months didn’t help but that would be a poor excuse as Cabinteely seemed to cope very well. Cabinteely are a very good side, have some technically very good players and have been Coached well. They worked harder and smarter and deserved their victory. While Celtic had been hampered by injuries and illnesses they also paid the price for poor performances at training which resulted in a performance today that lacked imagination and for some, effort.
However it’s not all doom and gloom – these Celts did not build an unbeaten Home record and three successive years of promotion without having the talent and work ethic that all the great teams have. But they are now in the Major League and the characteristics that they have shown in the past need to be brought to the fore – it starts on the training pitch next Tuesday and the question is do the lads have the desire to go to the next level. For sure they have the ability now they need to show they have the WANT.
