- OUR PARTNERS
Congratulations to Celtic's Under-11F1 Sunday team who defied all the odds and came within a goal of winning the league championship. Cabinteely Boys came like a train in the last 6 games, winning all of them. Their last defeat was at the beginning of May when Celtic beat them 2-0. From middle of the table they stormed up the division to earn a play off. At the end of a hard season, Celtic can be proud of achieving promotion in their first season together.
Celtic were stunned after only a couple of minutes in this play-off when a free kick was thumped goalward. Theo Hennessy in goal caught the ball at the second attempt, but the ref who was outside the box deemed that it had gone over the line. The keeper had a clear view that the ball had bounced on the line. This was a decisive blow. Celtic tried to respond and to get a foothold in the game. Their back 3 of Ahmad Niazi, Joseph Dunne and Conor Lawless kept Cabinteely scoreless for the rest of the half, though they all had to make vital interventions to prevent a second. They did have a scare just before half time when a free kick was going into the top corner before Conor Lawless bravely headed it out for a corner. Ruben Aherne came into the game during the first half and was putting in a big shift working hard throughout the field. Ren and Rei Mulligan were both striving to get Celtic back on level terms. Pedro Moreno and his brother Alvaro were unlucky not to score. Celtic had a few chances in that first half, but they went in at half time one goal behind.
Celtic started the 2nd half brightly and James Bannerman went close when his shot was saved by the Cabinteely keeper. Costel Burlacu raced for goal but was desperately unlucky when his blocked shot went just wide. Alvaro thundered his shot against the crossbar, while another shot hit the right hand post. As Celtic chased the equaliser, they were caught at the back when the Cabinteely striker beautifully chipped over Theo in the Celtic goal. 2 minutes later, a ball went across the Celtic 10 yard box and the Cabo striker rifled home out of the reach of Theo. It looked bleak at this stage for Celtic, but they are made of resilient stuff. All the hard work on the dark winter nights in Abbotstown began to look worthwhile as they struck back. James Bannerman shot from the left hand side of the box into the far corner. 1-3 and a glimmer of hope. But Cabo hit back again, and were awarded a penalty. A fine penalty looked goal-bound, but man of the match Theo sprung high to his left and saved brilliantly. The ball was driven down field and Celtic looked likely to score only to be denied by the Cabo keeper. It was end to end stuff. Then Celtic threw caution to the wind as Conor Lawless went forward in search of a goal and he was in the right place to thump the ball into the net. Only a goal in it and Cabo were on the ropes. Alas time ran out for the valiant Celtic and they were crest-fallen when the final whistle blew. They had come a huge distance since last September when they were assembled together with manager Joe Dunne at the helm. All the team are very grateful to Craig McGivern who took over coaching duties and has brought about huge improvements in the squad, leading the team to the brink of a league title. Each member of the squad can feel rightly proud of their achievements and can look forward to going one better next season. Finally thanks to all the parents and families who have given the team such great support.
