CAMOLIN CROWNED
Celtic claim a point to win Youth Division 4
CAMOLIN CELTIC were crowned Youth Division 4 champions on Saturday as they got the point they needed to claim the silverware.
Camolin held a three-point advantage over their opponents going into the game and could have made an early breakthrough when the clever footwork of Conor Mulholland sent the lightning-quick Keith Crosbie through and forced a save from the goalkeeper.
However, Tombrack were soon ahead when Kevin Kenny fired a free-kick to the back of the net on seven minutes.
Camolin goalkeeper Diego Molamphy then made a terrific one-on-one save which was cleared by the men in front of him.
Celtic were back on level terms eight minutes before the break when a Cian Byrne corner was steered goalwards by Christopher Sweeney.
His shot was saved but Keith Crosbie was on hand to poach a goal to leave the sides deadlocked 1-1 at the break.
Camolin came out in the second-half with their defence knowing that they were going to be under pressure with Tombrack needing a goal.
The midfield battled hard with captain Páraic Redmond providing strength and leadership to keep the sector under control and, alongside work-horse Peter Mcsweeney, they formed a beautiful partnership. The defence that would be deemed the best in the league lived up to that billing with soldiers Colm Hayes and Luke Byrne, who were solid from the flanks, and the clever and composed Christopher Sweeney and Stuart Byrne, who led from the heart of the defence.
Diego Molamphy, who was ever-present, made heroic saves and played a vital role in the game, with wingers Cian Byrne and Glen Carton providing quality going forward and helping out where they were needed.
Conor Mulholland offered great trickery and wonderful vision which worked brilliantly with the direct and pacey Keith Crosbie, whose goal got Camolin over the line.
The substitutes also played their part, with Jack Quinn offering great strength up front, James McSweeney showing great heart and Spanish student Pablo Mato bringing a different perspective to the game.
Camolin kept breaking away with brilliant counter-attacks led by the nifty Keith Crosbie and Glen Carton, and Camolin came close to a second when they earned a corner which was narrowly missed by Stuart Byrne.
Christopher Sweeney won man of the match from his managers. CAMOLIN CELTIC: Diego Molamphy, Colm Hayes, Christopher Sweeney, Stuart Byrne, Luke Byrne, Glen Carton, Páraic Redmond (capt.), Peter McSweeney, Cian Byrne, Conor Mulholland, Keith Crosbie, James McSweeney, Pablo Mato, Jack Quinn, Frankie Kavanagh, Jamie Gardiner. Managers: John G. Murphy, Ashley Tully, Marcus McDonald.