Castleknock Celtic  8   Maynooth  0

"Campaign get the mark with convincing home win"

NDSL 14 Girls

 8 Nov. 08

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This was an emphatic way to get their league campaign underway in earnest.  Ashling Hoey hit a tremendous hat-trick, including Celtic's first historic goal for girls football at the club.  It was a great team effort, and their slick passing brought goals for Kayleigh Manning in the 8th min., Orlaith Higgins in the 13th, Ciara Brady in the 21st.  4-0 half time.

Weather conditions were difficult with a strong wind making it a hard to control the ball.  Resolute defending by their back-4 of Lauren Manning, Lauren McEnroe, Edwina Naughton and Eadaoin Feeney, was the foundation for this great result.  A 2nd goal from Orlaith Higgins, one from Emma Boyle, and 2 more for Ashling Hoey to complete her hat-trick, saw Celtic home comfortably to  their first win at this level.  Ashling richly deserved the match ball, though we are not sure that she will actually keep it!

The most important moment of the game came when the game was still very much in the balance at 2-0 for Celtic.  Nicole McAuley took  off a fabulous save to maintain the home side's 2 goal advantage and to ensure that the visitors were prevented from getting a foothold in the game.

This  was indeed a great team performance.  The energy and running of Celtic's midfield of Louise O'Connor, Sarah Brady, Lucy Hanlon, and Megan Naughton, combined to deliver the result of the day for Celtic.  Man of the match was given to Ashling Hoey, though in truth any of Celtic's players could have been given the award.  On a day when their fellow Celtic ladies, the Under-12s were not playing, the Under-14s gave us a performance to remember.  8-0.