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“Classy Celtic triumph in Cup thriller ”
For the past three years this motley crew of young Celts have asked only one question – “When are we playing in the Cup?” When the Boys heard this week that it was Cup weekend there was a plenty –WHERE? WHEN? WHO ARE WE PLAYING? ARE THEY GOOD??? Slow down Boys don’t wear yourself out. Firhouse Carmel were the opposition but on Friday evening the match was cancelled after bad weather made the Firhouse pitch unplayable. Undeterred, and thanks to Club Sec Tony Jordan, the game was hastily re-arranged for Porterstown where thankfully the pitches were declared playable. With the sun shining on a cold, cold morning and the Boys buzzing the only worry for the Coaches was whether their charges were already worn out with all the excitement.
It was clear from the start that this was a Cup tie as both teams seemed intent on going for it. Celtic started brightly with most of the play coming down the right where “Cool hand Luke" Hughes, Captain for the day, was clearly up for it as he displayed some dazzling footwork on the ball. Indeed it was the “Lukemeister” who broke the deadlock with a shot from 20 yards that went through a crowded goalmouth into the bottom left hand corner. 1-0.
With a strong wind at their backs Celtic nearly made it two with the Firhouse No 1 defying Esse Okirikpo. Shortly after James Browne was unfortunate with a fantastic directed header, from a Lukey cross, that beat the keeper came off the post with the keeper reclaiming it on the line. Firhouse to their credit fought back and equalised from a swift break where, following indecision at the back, their striker lifted it over “Mad Max” in goal. 1-1. It was now time to dig deep as Firhouse sought to counter at every opportunity. James, Ivan Hristov and Lukey were working double shifts as Celtic slowly reasserted themselves as the half wore down. HT: 1-1
At half time Firhouse would have been the happier having defended resolutely into a strong breeze. Understanding a tough second half lay ahead Coach Sherlock (who is a dentists dream) introduced the “sugar” to pep the lads up and it was Celtic who started the half better. Lifted by an inspirational run from Esse who, taking the ball inside his own half, strode majestically forward beating 4 players before seeing his shot beat the keeper but inch agonisingly past the post, the lads kept to the game plan of early passing football with “Maccer” Mc Gregor and Catlin Labont creating mischief on the left. While Firhouse were lightning fast on their breaks Celtic in the form of “Maccer”, who was playing his best football of the season – sweeping up defensively and repeatedly setting up attack after attack, were in control. With 10 minutes of the half gone Celtic deservedly went 2-1 ahead when following good build up play involving Ben “Stevie G” Forde and Luke, Esse supplied his customary finish .
Celtic were awarded a penalty when Esse was fouled as he ran on to Lukeys through ball. Up stepped Esse but the Firhouse No 1 was equal to the challenge and indeed within seconds Firhouse nearly equalised with a break down the left and following a defence splitting cross the Firhouse striker, who had made a wonderful run, just failed to turn it home. It was that sort of game – end to end. Ivan subsequently made it 3-1 with a fine individual goal.
Firhouse kept working and chances were now coming at both ends with both teams giving their all in what were now Antarctic conditions of wind, rain and hailstones. Such was the weather that one young supporter climbed into the kit bag for cover!!! This game had it all and the supporters of both teams played their part as they cheered on their heroes. This game was far from over and with 5 minutes left Firhouse were awarded a free but from 30 yards out there was no danger………………………or so we thought until the Firhouse midfielder struck a wonderful unstoppable free kick into the top corner. 3-2.
Firhouse pushed for the equaliser but Celtic never flinched, kept calm and kept moving the football to see out the game. FT: 3-2. Credit to Firhouse who never stopped battling and to their Management, who having two keepers, gave each a half game. Great to see and well done.
For Celtic this was a hard earned but well deserved victory. The guys were buzzing - what round are we in, who do we play, are there medals. Here we go again!!! But sure isn’t that Cup football – fun, excitement, passion and lust for all. For now Celtic are in the hat for the next round and as the Coaches said it’s like being on a “roller coaster” no one knows what will happen except that the Boys have just earned another free ride.
There were some wonderful individual performances today and while the “Lukemeister” and “Maccer “ may have grabbed some of the headlines this was a victory for the team with all 10 playing their part in a wonderful advertisement for football. Well done Celtic – you deserve it for all the effort you are putting in. Enjoy the moment and see you all at training. COM’N THE CELTS.
