::: Gorey Celtic FC

Saturday 21st January 2012
Bridge Rovers 0 - 4 Gorey Celtic

Big league game in Castlebridge, cold morning and a strong breeze to contend with, first real injuries of the season with Gavin Walker, Joe McNulty, Peter Byrne and Ross Reardon out, Jordan Davies working and Cian Farrell resting, also carrying knocks with Adam Ellard, Adam Connor and Mark Doran, so I felt like Nicky Murphy looking for players on a Friday and big thanks to Sean Kelly to step into the 15 to give us cover at the back.
Mark Doran, Adam Connor, Darren Brennan and Shane Troope back in the 11, was tempted to change our shape, but decided to go with our 3-5-2, felt if we kept a clean sheet we'd have enough going foward to nick 1.

We started really well and knocking the ball around and was great viewing on a poor surface, the boys really up for it after our cup disappointment, after Ciaran Gartland went on a great run and linked with Adam Connor, Darren pulled away on the back post and Gartlands shot spilled out to our number 9 who doesn't miss from 4 yards,1-0 up on 20 minutes, boys flying now and a great through ball from Luca Consentino finds Sami Keogh in a race 1v1 with the keeper and to be fair the keeper looked favourite but Sami has a gear or two and somehow got there and rounded the keeper to score from a tight angle, 2-0 up.
Mossy next up and spots Darrens run and produces a 40 yard pass from deep in his own half, inch perfect, and Darren away and rounds the keeper for a 3 goal lead and a breath taking 45 minutes.

H.T. 3-0.

There was a few handbags flying around at half time and that added to the spice, but to be fair to the boys they showed great maturity kept there heads and played their football. I was tad critical of the boys down in St Josephs before Christmas when i thought our standard dropped against a weaker side, but have also got to be consistent in the praise of the performance for 90 minutes, was our best of the season and the standard of football was as good as it gets.

Adam Ellard on for a tiring Adam Connor about 65 mins in, and under a bit of pressure when James Flood in goal made 2 top saves, one a point blank header from a corner and the 2nd a strong left hand down low in the corner and pushed round the post, 2 excellent saves at a time when a goal would have giving them a second wind.
Jamie Finn came on for a exhausted Sami Keogh who ran himself into the ground, and Jay links with Shane Troope and keeper makes a good stop. 83 minutes in and just as im getting Adam Thompson and Sean Kelly into action Darren Brennan rounds the keeper for his hat trick and our 4th. Darrens 13th goal of the season, then takes a well earned rest with Ciaran Gartland also off after picking up a slight knock.

A truly outstanding 90 minutes when the boys football would have tested any side anywhere in any county and a pleasure to watch and be part of.
Darragh Curran at centre back for me the best player on the park (sorry Darren) and a good referee who missed very little.

The very best to Peter Byrne who broke his collar bone on Thursday nights friendly against Moyne Rangers, this one was for you. And 6 more points to make Johnny Kav and 2 old timers very happy. Top effort from the 15 involved.

Team: James Flood, Mark Doran, Ciaran Gartland, Darragh Curran, Sami Keogh, Shane Troope, Tomas "Mossy" Morris, Luca Consentino, Sdam Roche, Adam Connor, Darren Brennan

Subs: Adam Ellard, Jamie Finn, Adam Thompson, Sean Kelly