In this clash of the titans of the NDSL Premier League, no quarter was asked or given, in what turned out to be a showcase for the North Dublin League.  The game had it all from both sides, commitment, and some wonderful football skills. Striking panache was the difference between the sides at the end of the day.

Celtic started where they had left off in their last two games with some wonderful wing play on both the right and left flanks in the first ten minutes.  Dermot Murray and Gareth O'Hara were outstanding and gave the Clontarf defence a torrid time.  On 15 mins, Murray beat two players with his precision through-ball to top scorer Brian Slevin, who was cynically hauled to the ground. The ref had no hesitation in awarding the penalty.

Up stepped Slevin's fellow-striker, Conor Byrne, who hit his 40^th of the season from the penalty spot. 

The game continued with Celtic pouring forward, and Mark Conroy and Eoin O'Brien causing havoc on the right flank for the Clontarf lads. Brian Slevin went close on two occasions to be denied by some great keeping by the Clontarf keeper.  1-0 half time.

Celtics defence was being marshalled by captain, Cian Conway, holding strong against a mighty Clontarf push just before the break.  Cian O'Hara and contender for player of the season, Colm Neville, were outstanding.

The second half started the same way that the first half had gone only this time Clontarf came looking down the flanks for the break to get them back into the game, but the Celtic defence of O'Hara, Neville and Conway was having none of it.

Then from midfield, man of the match, Gareth O'Hara pushed down the left and played a majestic defence splitting pass to the on fire Byrne, who took the ball down on his chest, and as it dropped to that deadly left peg, there was high expectation that no. 42 was on the cards.  And indeed, he duly delivered with a sublime finish over the 'tarf keeper (see across).  2-0 to Celtic, game over. You could sense the sinking feeling from the far touchline as the 'tarf hearts sank.

Clontarf displayed a never say die attitude and pushed forward but never troubled the Celtic defence until they collected a consolation goal after a dubious free kick.

Afterwards Celtic manager Slevin was full of praise for his team's play, this time last year we finished 3^rd in the league and were beaten 6-0 by a rampant Clontarf side.  This team has played as a unit all year and grown into playing an expansive football game, always giving 120%.  What more can you ask from a team on a Sunday morning, and by the smiles on their faces at the end, they appeared to be getting a lot of enjoyment out of it.

Celtic now resume their place at the top of the NDSL Premier league table.