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This was billed as the Battle of Clontarf, unlike the one in 1014 with the Danes, between the 2 top teams in the division at start of play. Clontarf were keen to avenge their defeat by Celtic some weeks ago in the reverse fixture in Abbotstown. But it was Celtic who started on the front foot. They launched wave after wave of attack, and on 10 minutes they took the lead when captain, Ren Mulligan, got possession from a kick out and he finished with finesse, putting the ball in the bottom corner beyond the reach of the Clontarf keeper.
Celtic went close with efforts from Costel Burlacu, Rei Mulligan, James Bannerman, and Mohamed Dafalla. All went within a whisker of increasing Celtic’s lead. They were denied in the second half by the Clontarf goalkeeper, Conal O’Gara, who was their goal scorer in the first half before moving into goal for the second. Conal made a succession of crucial saves that at the end of the day gave his side a share of the points.
In the middle, Ruben Ahern was putting in a series of tackles that denied the opposition the opportunity to create on a number of occasions. He later had to operate up front on his own which is always difficult, especially when you have the different coaches on the side line issuing conflicting instructions, which is something the coaches will have to sort out before the next game.
At the back Celtic were lucky to have such a strong defence no matter which of them was on the field of play. Conor Lawless was intent on winning every ball that came his way, Joseph Dunne was his usual accomplished self, always trying to find a player, while Ahmad Niazi was a contender for man of the match with his exceptional performance when he came on. Remember that Ahmad has been out for 7 weeks following his operation, and yet he hit the ground running today to put in such a performance. Behind all these fine players, Celtic were thankful to have such a great keeper in Theo Hennessy who yet again did all that could be done, being beaten only once by a wonder strike by the Clontarf striker, Conal O’Gara, who smashed the ball to the net when he was left alone 6 yards from goal. After such a wonderful game, the referee chose Costel as the man of the match for his fabulous performance. Well done to all the players from both sides who served up such great entertainment near the site of Brian Boru’s great victory over the Danes a thousand years ago.
