Glenmuir (Dundalk)  0  Castleknock Celtic  1   

"Celtic crash out of the SFAI Cup/

Home town Ref robs Celtic"

SFAI Goodson Cup

19 Oct 08

In a storm lashed Dundalk you got the feeling that all was not going to be well as the home team was warmed up by the referee. Celtic started into a gale force wind playing some nice football, with Stark tearing down the right to cross for Slevin to bring a great save from the huge Dundalk keeper. Celtic came close again with Stark doing the same this time for Roe, nil all after 20 mins and the wind getting stronger.  All was looking well for Celtic who were untroubled by Glenmuir.  Then a wind assisted free kick looped over the head of keeper Dunne , one nil to Dundalk. Celtic remain composed in the face of the wind and some bizarre decisions from the referee, who proceeded to blow Slevin up for offside when he was at least 5 yards on.

Then awarding a goal kick for what was clearly a corner !!! the omens were bad. Haney slotted star of the season Dermott Murray through, who was cynically cut down from behind by a high tackle, which must be a straight red. As the medics dealt with Murray,( a delay of 10 mins while he was attended to, to the surprise of all the ref gave nothing not even a yellow card, the crowd went mad. 1 nil at the break.

Celtic with the wind now at their backs introduced John O’Hare and Wale at the break who tore into the opposition, after threats at half time from them that Arthur Stark and Dermot Murray would be sorted in the second half, words that were to become prophetic!

Stark broke on the right and crossed for Slevin to slam a shot that was well saved by the large keeper.  Within a minute the duo combined again with Slevin slotting home 1 all and it was all Celtic.  The visitors went close with Wale beating three to shoot and bring another great save from the keeper, while Slevin had a great free kick tipped over the bar.

Then tragedy of biblical proportions struck with the ref.  As Murray cleared the ball of an opponent for a throw, the ref gave him a straight red! What was happening the ref was having no discussions with anyone.  As he escorted the genial Murray off the pitch, the opposition's words were now ringing in Celtic ears as their large centre half who we thought had broken Murray's leg in the first half, repeated the offence, this time against Stark.  As the two tussled as they rose from the ground, the ref showed Stark a red card.  All hell broke loose. Celtic's two top men had been deliberately targeted by the home ref as extra time loomed!

Play stopped while manager Slevin considered taking the side off.  What was happening here was just not acceptable, but worse was to come as extra time went into the second break a large punt from the keeper was met on the edge of Celtic's box by their striker who clearly used his hand to direct the ball into the net.  The Celtic defence had stopped for the free as the Dundalk lad slotted home and the ref to awarded a goal.  All hell broke loose again. Celtic struggled on with 9 men but to no avail, I don’t think it would have mattered if they had played 22 men, they were never going to get a result here today as the referee had already decided the  result as he warmed the Dundalk lads up before the game. This is just not acceptable and just not football!