DEADLY DEARG WIN
Opening day defeat or newcomers Coolboy United
DEARG CELTIC 3 COOLBOY RANGERS 1
DEARG CELTIC got their league season off to a perfect start with a convincing 3-1 victory over new boys Coolboy Rangers.
The Coolboy men got their first competitive Division 3 League game off to the perfect start with a goal from midfielder Bradley Walsh with a thunderous freekick in the second minute.
Niall Garvey brought down the midfielder on the edge of the penalty area, Walsh struck the freekick with extreme force which resulted in the ball flying into the back of the net and through the wall of defenders.
Dearg Celtic began to pile on the pressure and went forward with intent.
Craig Browne was causing trouble for the Coolboy defence down the left wing.
On one occasion Browne looked like he was going to grab an equaliser for the home side after a great solo run in the fifth minute but his long range effort smashed off the bar.
It wasn’t long before Celtic had their comeback goal with a great assist from striker Alan Hudson. Hudson had gained possession just outside the penalty area before twisting and turning around the Coolboy defence before squaring the ball across the goal line to Brian O’ Sullivan who tapped the ball past keeper Darragh Hennessey to make it 1-1 on the 11th minute.
For all the possession that the home side had for the remainder of the first half they didn’t manage to take advantage of their chances in front of goal.
The Coolboy defence were finding it difficult to deal with the striking partnership of John Andy and Alan Hudson but the two strikers just couldn’t find the back of the net before half-time which meant the two sides were level at the break.
The home side continued to dominate possession at the beginning of the second half and it looked like it was only a matter of time before they took the lead.
Coolboy were struggling to compete with the pace of the game after the hosts started to take control.
The travelling side introduced Keith Bowes on the 61st minute to try and add some attacking threat on the right wing.
Bowes made a quick impression on the away defence when he went on a great run down the right flank before firing a low shot towards goal that deflected just wide.
The hosts finally got the goal that they had deserved from all the possession they had throughout the second half, an impressive top corner finish from Craig Browne in the 65th minute put the home side in front.
Browne had been tormenting the away side’s defence all game and on the 65th minute the winger cut inside and fired a curling shot that nestled into the top corner from long range, a great strike from the winger to put his side 2-1 up.
Ashford were then dealt a huge blow as their wing back Brian O’Sullivan had to be substituted after a rough challenge from a Coolboy defender, O’Sullivan was replaced by Mick Murphy on the 78th minute.
The hosts finalised the three points in the last five minutes with a sweet lunging volley from John Andy Kinsella from six yards out as he beat the offside trap to volley the ball home from a freekick late in the game.
Relief came upon the faces of the Dearg Celtic players when the full whistle was blown as they had made hard work of their opponents as they should have been at least two goals ahead in the first half, but the hosts deserved the full three points and will be hoping to continue their good start to the season.
Dearg Celtic: 1. Ollie Byrne, 2. Adam Byrne, 3. Niall Garvey, 4. Jem Cullen,
5. Jordan O’ Connor, 6. Jem Power, 7. Alan Power, 8. Craig Browne, 9. Brian O’ Sullivan, 10. John A. Kinsella, 11. Alan Hudson. Subs: Mick Murphy for Brian O’Sullivan (73min), Ushian Breen for John A. Kinsella (83min).
Coolboy Rangers: 1. Darragh Hennessey, 2. Nathan Barnes, 3. Kevin O’ Keefe, 4. Ryan Guilfoyle, 5. Cian Moules,
6. Bradley Walsh, 7. Martin Kelly, 8. Nathan Walsh, 9. Sean Maher, 10. Dennis Condren, 11. Willy Lillis. Subs: Keith Bowes for Willy Lillis (56min).
Referee: Dominic Lauchesse