Heartbreak for Listowel at home

LISTOWEL Celtic faced a stern test at Pat Kennedy Park on Sunday against a formidable Clare side but they rose to the challenge admirably and, while they lost at the end, they acquitted themselves very well and made their opponents fight very hard for their victory.

The visitors had the lions share of possession during the game, but Celtic stood tall contesting every ball with great spirit and determination.

Avenue went ahead in the fifth minute when a Celtic defender lost sight of the ball because of the strong sun in his eyes and Seán Corry was left with only the keeper to beat and he tucked the ball away from close range.

Celtic responded positively and they equalised in the 17th minute with a controversial goal. Ashley Kelliher latched on to a long delivery out of defence and as Avenue defenders stood up expecting offside to be called Kelliher went through and slid the ball under the advancing goalkeeper.

Celtic created two more chances afterwards but Michael Foley and Ashley Kelliher failed to hit the target. Avenue went ahead in the 35th minute with a sublime goal.

David O’Halloran linked up with Mikey O’Mahoney who displayed great vision to spot the run of Seán Corry and he finished to the net from 10 yards.

The visitors extended their lead five minutes from the break with a long cross into the goalmouth by Philip Talty opening the Celtic defence and Mikey O’Mahoney met the ball at the back post and squeezed it past the Celtic keeper.

Early in the second half Brendan Angland set up Ashley Kelliher but just as he was about to pull the trigger he was denied by a superb tackle by David Roche.

The visitors killed off the game in the 51st minute when Celtic failed to deal with a quick Avenue corner kick and Mikey O’Mahoney slipped the ball to Dylan Casey and he drilled it to the net from a tight angle.

Avenue extended their lead in the 65th minute after great build up play involving a number of players Davey O’Halloran finished to the net. However Celtic did not throw in the towel and Kelliher set up sub Darragh Mackessy who applied a great finish.

In the final minute Aidan Quinn was taken down inside the box and referee John Ross pointed to the spot. Ashley Kelliher gave the Avenue keeper no chance with an exquisitely taken penalty low to the bottom corner of the net.

While Celtic were beaten by the better side on the day they put up a brave fight against all the odds.

LISTOWEL CELTIC: Stephen McCarthy, Darren Loughnane, Ben Tobin (Darragh Mackessy, 62 min), Kevin McCarthy, Tommy Keane (Adam Scollard, 75 min), Jack Sheehan (Liam Edwards, 75 min) Michael Foley, Brendan Angland (Kevin Bambury, 75 min), Ashley Kelliher, Aidan Quinn, Neilius Mackessy