::: Gorey Celtic FC

Friday 18th November 2011
Gorey Celtic 0 - 2 Arklow Town

Had our lights on Friday night for the long awaited local derby in the Leinster Youth Cup, a huge crowd and a proper cup game getting the go ahead after a lot of rain during the week and great credit to Sammy and Nicky for turning out a fab pitch.
Shuffled the pack again with Troope, Gartland, Morris and Reardon all coming in and Luca Consentino going to partner Brennan up front.

The boys started bright and the game was a hundred miles a hour and no quarter was asked or given, Arklow also neat and tidy and we stepped off and showed them too much respect,Mark Doran picking up a silly booking early on and a few nerves on show. We started to press more and Darren Brennan really unlucky after nicking the ball from the centre half just misses the target although the centre half done well to get back at him, Thomas Morris getting through alot of work and our two wings backs Sami Keogh and Adam Roche also working hard up and down the flanks. We had 1 or 2 hairy moments and James Flood had to be alert, Darragh Curran and Doran also making timely tackles and important headers clear.
A good run from Ross Reardon and a link with Luca gave us another half chance but Luca hit over the bar from 20 yards and the game now going to be a tight affair after the pacey start, we picked up another 2 yellow cards in the 1st 45 minutes which was going to have a bearing in the 2nd half.

H.T. 0-0.

We spoke to the lads about pressing more and not to be standing off and letting the centre halves and full backs play and also reminded the 3 boys on yellow that this game could go the distance as in extra time and penalties because there wasn't a kick between them 1st half.

5 mins into the second half and Shane Troope makes a late tackle and walks, no complaints, but then leaves a huge hole in midfield and Reardon drops in and Luca goes in the hole with Darren up top on his own.
We actually went on to have our best spell in the game, freshened things up with Gavin Walker and Adam Ellard and with about 20 minutes to go looked the better side and after a great run by Adam Roche the ball came over for Sami Keogh who made great ground to get there was just dragged wide but still got his shot away and to be fair the keeper made a great save, but still wasn't cleared and Adam Ellard on his weaker left side and from a tight angle couldn't find the net.

We still kept going foward and another good run and cross from Adam Roche and Ross Reardon bursts from deep but just dosen't connect properly and the keeper makes a handy save. The boys tiring now and on a big heavy pitch with 10 men can we see out the 90? Then with about 12 minutes left the number 3 picks up a tired pass and runs across from left to right 20 odd yards out and hits a decent strike that James can't keep out although makes contact but the power was enough. 1-0 down and always felt the first goal in the tie was vital because there wasn't a whole lot between them.
Heads dropped and tiredness kicked in and a silly mistake from the edge of the area was punished by the lively number 14 who celebrated in front of the wags and game over 2-0 down. We got Jordan Davies on and his instructions get two goals but with time against us was never happening.

A really great game and a great cup tie and the boys ran themselves into the ground and very proud of the 20 on duty and as I always say the boys will learn and the gap between these so called bigger teams is closing and the lads getting better and stronger by the game.
Thought Thomas Morris had his best game in a Celtic shirt and great efforts from all 14, but think young Adam Roche just the best Celt on the night and gets my top score.

Well done boys and lets focus on Wexford now and keep the points coming in the leagueand hopefully a cup run after Christmas. And the very best of luck to Arklow Town in the next round, there a decent side too.

Team: James Flood, Mark Doran, Darragh Curran, Ciaran Gartland, Sami Keogh, Adam Roche, Thomas Morris, Shane Troope, Ross Reardon, Luca Consentino, Darren Brennan

Subs: Gavin Walker, Adam Ellard, Jordan Davies, Jamie Finn, Joe McNulty, Peter Byrne, Adam Thompson,Cian Farrell