NDSL 13Premier

28 October 2007

Clontarf FC  3      Castleknock Celtic  2

"Fireworks in St Annes as Celtic are Robbed"

Celtic with the bare squad of 13 players welcomed back Eoin O'Brien after an 8 weeks lay off through injury.

But Celtic were sluggish from the off, and they soon fell into arrears with 2 goals conceded in the first 15 mins with a makeshift defence.

However, Celtic clawed their way back with their goal machine Brian Slevin now playing in the centre midfield, pushing Celtic forward.  He sliced the Clontarf defence open twice in 10 mins, putting Arthur stark through for two quick goals to bring Celtic back into it and on level terms. A lapse at the back gifted Clontarf an open goal, but amazingly their striker shot over the bar with the goal gaping. 2-2 at half time.

The second half proved a find for Celtic when manager Slevin moved striker Byrne back to sweeper, and he proved a revelation, in complete control of the Clontarf front three. He was proving to be a very accomplished defender and his reading of the game looked second nature to him.

Then the whole game turned as Stark burst through for a hat-trick. What happened will go in the annals with Jeff Astle's offside goal against Leeds Utd in 1970/71 season, which led to them losing the league title to Arsenal by 1 point.  The Clontarf keeper dived at his feet 3 yards outside his box, but quick as a flash realising his position, he dived back into his box. The ref. who was inline with play and who had obviously seen this, waved play on!

The ball was then cleared as Celtic continued to argue, and Clontarf went straight down and scored as Celtic players remonstrated.

The ref had made a desperate mistake.  A great game of soccer had been spoilt and 13 Celtic hearts were broken.  Clontarf were gracious in victory however, apologising for the gross injustice. Such are the trials that we have to face on a regular basis in schoolboys soccer. We must nevertheless dust ourselves down and turn our face to the next challenge,  which undoubtedly this team will do.