::: Gorey Celtic FC

Sunday 11th October 2009
Moyne Rangers 3 - 3 Gorey Celtic

Celtic travelled to Enniscorthy on Sunday last and in a very bad tempered encounter came away with a creditable 3-3 draw.

Celtic opened the brighter and took the game to their opponents, playing an aggressive attacking game, within the first 5 minutes Celtic should have taken the lead, Craig Connor forcing a smart save from the Moyne keeper, with his smart shot being turned around the post.
Celtic did not have to wait long to take the lead, a David O Brien corner fell to Wes Fitzpatrick in the 6 yard box, who made no mistake. On 15 minutes Celtic increased their advantage, a carbon copy effort of their first goal, another O'Brien corner, Wes firing home from close range.

The game took an ugly turn, with Moyne adopting an aggressive attitude, aided by a vocal sideline. On 25 mintutes, Will Doyle was the victim of what only can be described as an assalt. With a football nowhere in sight, a challenge on him resulted in him being concussed and a facial injury which later required 4 stictches.
Unbelievably, the ref took no serious action, giving the challenger a yellow card.

Play was held up for over 5 minutes while William was being treated, during this period manager Tony Browne was sent from the pitch for his protests over the incident. Eventually play resumed, Moyne started to get into the game, but the Celtic defence were coping well with whatever Moyne threw at them.

H.T.: 0-2

Will doyle was replaced due to injury shortly after the break, worse was to follow on 55 mintues, a crude tackle on Craig Connor resulted in him being replaced due to a knee injury. Unbelievably, again only a yellow being shown.
On 60 minutes Moyne got back into the game, a fine effort from 25 yards giving Jack in goal no hope in saving. Moyne now had the momentum, putting Celtic on the back foot, looking for an equaliser, but crucially starting to leave gaps at the back for Celtic to expliot. On 70 minutes, Moyne were awarded a very dubious penalty, Moyne looking to have a least 3 players offside, broke into the penaly area, Jack came from his line and brought an attacker down.
The penalty kick was taken and scored. 2-2.

Celtic the showed their committment and bottle, they battled back into the game and went on the offensive, Ger Carey was causing plenty of problems for Moyne with his direct running and trickery.
On 80 minutes, Celtic took the lead, a diving header from William Keogh giving the Moyne keeper no chance, Celtic had further chances to increase their lead and totally kill the game, on 88 minutes Moyne got their 3rd.
Celtic had one further chance deep into added on time, a free kick on the edge of the 18 yard box was fired over the bar from David O Brien.

A tough physical encounter, not helped by some very strange decisions by the ref. Whilst a point away from home is always a good result, this was more like a defeat.
The team showed tremendous battling qualities, but we have to learn to be more cynical in closing games down, with 3 or 4 minutes left, we were looking to increase our lead, maybe heading into corners and trying to keep pocession would have been the better option.

Team: Big Jack, Brendan Doyle, David Melia, Mark Tyndall, David Gahan, William Keogh, Danny Reilly, Craig Connor, Wes Fitzpatrick, David O'Brien.

Subs: Ger Carey for W Doyle (50 mins, inj), Phelim Gallagher for Connor (55 mins, inj), Noel Kenny for Gahan (80 mins), Alan Fogerty.