Castleknock Celtic 5    Clontarf  2

Under 11 Premier

24 Sept 06 

The skies cleared just in time for kick off of Celtics 4^th match of the season at home to Clontarf. After the high of last weeks goal feast against Raheny, Celtic were brimming with confidence from the whistle. They roared out of the traps with some lovely play, which finished with Daniel Bell running in on goal, his shot whistling past the post. The trend continued as Celtic put together wave after wave of attack. Ryan Moore went close 3 or 4 times, shaving the post and being foiled by the excellent Clontarf keeper. As the missed chances mounted, Clontarf started to grow in confidence, and the counter attacks became more frequent. Eoin Conran, Kyle Turner, Patrick Rocca (Capt) and Klevis Kurpreka marshalled the defence in the 1^st half but somehow against the run of play the ball fell to their centre forward, who unleashed an unstoppable shot from outside the box leaving keeper Richard Delaney with no chance. 0-1.

Undeterred Celtic fought back again with Conor Stephenson going close on the left and Gavin Boyne hitting the post once more. Finally the equaliser came from the impressive Daniel Bell and his mercurial left foot. 1-1.

An audible sigh of relief could be heard from the legion of parent supporters on the sideline, but not for long when again Clontarf broke down the right against the run of play, a cross whizzed across the box to an unmarked player on the left, who scored with a clinical finish. 1-2. 

Big questions were being asked about the character of this young talented group of players. The heads didn’t drop and the attacks continued to flow from the magnificent Tom Fogarty in the holding midfield roll. Corner after corner was won, all sweetly delivered by the talented Boyne. Just on the half time whistle, Moore finally struck gold with a neat finish from a corner. 2-2. 

Changes at half time saw the introduction of Davrin Reid and Eoin O’Donnchu in defence. Attack changed emphasis to speed and aggression with the introduction of the lightning pace of Keelan McAnerin and the combative qualities of David Costelloe. Costelloe caused trouble from the off, going close twice after closing down defenders and racing in on the keeper. Stalemate was broken at last by the razor sharp McAnerin who slotted home the all-important 3^rd goal. 3-2.  

Fogarty continued to boss the midfield.  As two players closed in on him in midfield, he coolly chipped the ball over their heads to Bell on the left. Boyne and Bell were found again and again to wreak havoc in the Clontarf ranks. Fogarty shot just over from outside the box, before Boyne struck with a classy strike to make it 4-2. Celtic started to really shine, with the silky skills of Kurbreka and Ring stringing the passes together. Clontarf hardly got a sight of the Celtic goal in the 2^nd half with the magnificent Kyle Turner unbeatable at the centre of defence.  O’Donnchu, Reid and Stephenson ensured keeper Richie Delaney had little to do. Fittingly the 5^th Celtic goal was a gem from Moore, who raced onto a through ball and lobbed the keeper from outside the box. 5-2. 

Surprisingly Clontarf rallied and forced a number of corners near the end but Celtic weren’t about to give up any more goals with Fogarty sliding in some super tackles to keep them at bay.   

Celtic remain unbeaten and the quality of the 15 squad members provides a range of both attacking and defensive options.