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Celtic lined up for their last game of the season in Porterstown Park knowing that their main challengers, St John Vianney Boys and Cabinteely Boys, who were meeting in Kilboggit Park, could affect the outcome of the league championship. If Celtic won today against Dundrum FC and Vianney did not win, the title would be coming to Porterstown. Celtic started strongly and went close time after time. However, there was defending to be done also as Dundrum tested Theo Hennessy in the Celtic goal early on, but the home keeper was equal to the task. Costel Burlacu then hit a blistering shot that was pushed round the post by the excellent keeper Conor Cronin. On 13 minutes, Pedro Moreno’s fierce shot was just over the crossbar. 5 minutes from half time, just after being introduced by coach Craig McGivern, Alvaro Moreno raced forward and unleashed a powerful low shot into the corner of the net. 1-0 to the home side and their tails were up. Shortly after, Ruben Aherne was within a whisker of doubling Celtic’s advantage, only to see his shot go just wide of the right hand post. Just before the break, Dundrum struck back and got an equaliser when their big midfielder, Con O’Sullivan, hit the back of the net from close range. Celtic heads were down as they came off at half time, but the coach rallied them, urging them to a big second half, reminding them that they had played well, and more of the same would deliver the result.
It was however, Dundrum who drew first blood in the second half. They took advantage of slack defending and Con O’Sullivan tapped in from close range for his second goal. All of a sudden, Celtic were staring down the barrel with memories of their surprise midweek defeat threatening to haunt their tilt at the title. They had gone close to scoring so often, one felt it was going to be one of those days!!
It was going to take a bit of magic to turn it around, that’s what we got. 9 minutes into the half, Costel got possession and he must have been 18 yards out when he unleashed the most vicious shot on target that whizzed into the back of the net, giving the Dundrum keeper no chance. 2-2 and Celtic were back on track. 4 minutes later, Costel’s strike-partner, James Bannerman broke through on the right hand side and shot just wide of the near post. A minute later it was Pedro who thundered his shot off the crossbar. The spectators could not believe how the home side had not regained the lead. Then there was a schmozzle in the Dundrum goal mouth and again it was incredible how the ball did not end up in the visitors’ net, but survive they did. There were scares at the other end also, as gaps were being left at the back as Coach Craig went for the win, leaving just Ahmad Niazi and Joseph Dunne at the back. Conor Lawless, along with Ahmad and Joseph had defended stoutly, giving their all to try and win the title. Joseph was having his best game of the season. Ren Mulligan was back in action after his midweek absence and again, along with his brother, Rei, were making a difference to Celtic’s defending and attacking, adding strength to the team.
As the game ebbed and flowed, and chances came and went, the time was running out. Then Mother Nature was to play her part. A dark cloud ran across the sky and out of the blue, a deluge of hailstones was unloaded onto the park, so bad that the referee and players raced for cover under the trees. The rain was slow to move on, so the ref called a halt to proceedings so the teams could seek refuge in their cars. Everyone agreed that a draw was a fair result to a game that was played in the most sporting manner, giving all the spectators one of the most exciting games they will have seen. Thanks to all the players for giving such effort. While Celtic were disappointed initially with the result, Cabinteely defeating Vianney in their game meant that Celtic now stand 6 points ahead of Cabinteely who have 2 games to play. If Cabo win them, we will have a play-off to determine who emerge as the ultimate champions after a great league campaign by all the competing teams. Watch this space for more news.
