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They don't come much tighter than this. A tense night indeed lay ahead, for the spectators anyway! The Celtic players seem to take challenges in their stride as they have shown tonight and last weekend. This game in Kilboggit Park kicked off after 7.30pm which was a worry as we did not see any floodlights near the pitch !!
The sides had finished level in Porterstown Park when Cabinteely equalised in the final quarter of the game when their play-maker scored from a free kick. Celtic knew they would have to keep a close eye on the same Cabo man again tonight.
The game ebbed and flowed, with Celtic tentative in the early stages, but they grew into the game as they came to grips with their opposition. Pedro Moreno was again on fire and was making numerous runs at the defence, and it was from one such attack that he shot after 10 minutes from a very wide position and found the top corner of the net. 1-0 to the visitors.
Cabo were threatening but it was Theo Hennessy's safe hands again in goal who showed why he is considered one of the best keepers around. Chances came and went but the score remained the same until the dying minutes.
Conor Lawless was again flawless, a bit of poetry from the reporter eh?!! Ahmad Niazi was equally effective in the right back position, while Joseph Dunne was looking very composed in the centre of the defence.
Rei and Ren Mulligan were up for the contest which was absolutely necessary against a robust Cabo team. Ruben Ahern joined the midfield and he made an impact with his resolute running and tackling that denied Cabo attacks. Alvarro Moreno also came on and was a serious threat to Cabo with his incisive running and strong shooting. James Bannerman joined the attack and he produced a great piece of battling play, winning the ball and breaking down the left hand side before whipping the ball across for Costel Burlacu who was close to scoring.
The one goal margin always looked fragile as Cabo fought for an equaliser. They went very close in the second half when their play maker and their big striker threatened in the Celtic box. Both occasions, Theo had to be at his best and bravest diving at the feet of the attackers. It was however Alvarro who was to provide the insurance goal. He got possession in the Cabo box and delivered his trademark bullet shot that the Cabo keeper had absolutely no chance of stopping. Cue celebrations and another great victory, two in 4 days by 2-0 margins.
It was however a battling performance from all the players that won the victory against a Cabo team that will do damage to other teams in the title hunt. Next stop Dundrum on Sunday in this memorable season.
