- OUR PARTNERS
Tolka and Castleknock met for the second time in a week and one hoped that this time the Boys would get to play a full game after last week's game was abandoned due to an horrific injury suffered by Tolka’s Conor Tyrrell.
After a tense opening 10 minutes Celtic settled and were enjoying more possession albeit the Tolka defence were denying Celtic any clear cut opportunities. Despite territorial advantage it was Tolka who struck first.
From a Tolka corner no one picked up the big Centre back who, unchallenged, glanced the ball into the net. 1-0. With this, Tolka upped the pace of the game and were the first to every ball. Indeed the nearest Celtic came to a goal was a Mark Hughes free kick that was fumbled by the keeper but no one was on hand for the tap in. HT: 1-0.
The second half was a tight affair with both teams sensing the next goal could be decisive. With 10 minutes of the half gone, disaster struck. Celtic’s centreback was caught in possession, the ball fell to the striker who shrugged off the other centre back and tipped the ball past the advancing Tommy Bowe. There was still time to clear it but in an attempt to clear the ball the Celtic left full put it to his own net. 2-0.
Celtic were reeling and could not make a pass. However slowly but surely they settled down. Lloyd Turner, Ciaran Collins and Fola were introduced and with it momentum went to Celtic. Turner came close, Hughes’s shot was going in before coming off a defenders foot for a corner. Then Collins hit a thunderous shot which was valiantly defended. A minute later Tony Kamara waltzed through but again fine defending saved the day. Chances had not been taken and Tolka weathered the late Celtic frenzy as they saw the game out with ease. FT: 2-0
Firstly, well done to Tolka. The hardest working team Celtic have played. The Tolka lads were everywhere, committed and strong and were deserving winners on the day. In attendance was young Conor Tyrell and we are sure he was impressed by his team mates. As for Celtic this was a poor display. Indeed unacceptable. Basic errors made. Slow to react off the ball and poor passing on the ball. On the positive side they still produced glimpses of what they are capable off and as we are in an effective pre-season there is plenty of time to get it right. Heads up lads, Training on Tuesday and a chance to get things right.
