::: Gorey Celtic FC

Friday 23rd September 2011
Gorey Celtic 2 - 1 Moyne Rangers

What a night, what a game, had one or two crackers under the lights in the past season or two since we got our lights up and running, but last Friday night we eclipsed them all with a show of strength, power, ability and down right doggedness, against a side who I believe is the best if not 2nd best in Wexford at under 16.
They beat us pre season 13 months ago 4-2 and i was blown away with there movement and speed to move the ball and knew thats the level we had got to get to. I also believe that this Celtic side is right up there too and when where at full strength are a match for any side.

A strong Mullaunfin wind blew which is now normal, and game plan was to play with it and Ross won the toss for a change, our thinking was try grab a goal and give us something to hold onto because this side can defend as well as attack. Traded blows early on and the two centre halves Ross O'Connor and Sean Kelly dealing with everything that the excellent number 9 and 10 had to offer.

Ross Reardon and Jared McGirr needed a reminding that they where losing there battle in midfield to there opposite numbers, but got the reaction I was looking for and the two boys started to gain the upper hand and coupled with the two wingers, Lee Carabini and Renar started to play the football that makes these guys a pleasure to watch. 30 odd minutes in and im saying to Joe we need to take a lead into the 2nd half, but wasn't looking to likely apart from a couple of long range shots from Jared and Ross it was looking hard to break them down. Then after a corner was half cleared our debutant Mikey put it back in and Jared twisted and turned and smashed home from about 12 yards,1 up relief, but got better our skipper finds a couple of yards and hit a left foot rocket from just outside the box 2-0 and Moyne shell shocked. 2 goals in two minutes.

H.T. 2-0

Now we had what we wanted, let them come at us and hope to hit them on the break. We carved open half chances with John Dunbar, Mikey, Lee and Renar all seeing the chances going abegging, but in reality we were dropping futher back and Moyne were putting us under severe pressure. < p>The back four where immense but Moyne now going all out and started to lob balls wind assisted to the pacey number 10 who was quality all night and just got a nick on young Ciaran Finn and finished well in the corner. 2-1 game on, quick look and the watch just over 20 mins to play and my mind drifted back to the cup game against Curracloe last season when we where 2-1 up with 10 minutes left and lost 3-2 to a last kick of the ball.

The lads where clearly tiring now on the huge pitch and got Michael Browne on for fresh legs and he created a great chance for Rossi but just at the last second got caught up in his feet. got 1 or 2 dodgy calls in our favour when the number 9 looked to me on side, and we're out on our feet, Lee going down with cramp and young Robert Dunbar entered the frame, Renar also struggling and another under 14s, Lee Cullen gets a run wide left.

Stopwatch beeps for 80 minutes and Jakub gets a rush of blood and handles just outside the box. Moyne try to take quickly and thankful just goes the other side of the post. Goal kick and finally ref blows for a brilliant win and a Celtic name in the hat for the next round.

I have always said that if a team can improve 5-10% a season, then in a few years they'll be right there near the top teams and this Celtic side is right there. We are only 12 strong and that could be our down fall with injuries etc but if can get the boys out most weeks with our couple of top u14s..we'll have another good season and show them youths how to play the 16s way.

Top effort from a top side and nights like this is why its a great game to be playing. Ross O'Connor just getting the nod for an outstanding performance at centre half in what was only his 3rd or 4th game there, looked like he was playing there for years, but to be fair the other 13 on duty all getting 9 out of ten.

Keep up the good work boys

Team: Jakub, Jamie Cullen, Sean Kelly, Ross O'Connor, Ciaran Finn, Lee Carabini, Jared McGirr, Ross Reardon, Renar, John Dunbar, Mikey

Subs: Michael Browne, Robert Dunbar, Lee Cullen