Derby joy for Celtic
Caulfield’s second-half double earns bragging rights
ARKLOW UNITED ARKLOW CELTIC 2 4
ARKLOW CELTIC came back from behind twice to seal a derby victory at Ferndale Park obver their neighbours Arklow United in an entertaining battle on Sunday morning last.
The pair went head to head on Sunday morning and United took an early lead through striker Rhys Leacy who got on the end of a Mark Nolan cross to open the scoring on the 12th minute.
Despite being one goal down Celtic were doing most of the attacking and had the majority of the possession early on.
United played more counter-attacking as they often went from back to front when they won possession back.
Celtic had some great chances to get back level through Jay Rowlands and Craig Caulfield, Rowlands was proving to be a handful for the United defence as his pace made it difficult to stop him making dangerous runs down the right-wing. Rowlands teed up Caulfield after a great run on the 33rd minute but the striker’s shot went just over the bar.
A lack of concentration from the United defence on the 36th minute led to Celtic snatching back an equalising goal. Craig Caulfield made a great run into the box and battled past the United defence to the end line with the ball before setting up Chris Brennan who slotted the ball into the net.
It was clear to see that the United defence thought that the ball had gone out of play and tried to let the ball trickle over the line and go out for a goal kick but Caufield was too quick and managed to keep it in before setting up Brennan for the equaliser.
It wasn’t long before United were back on track with another goal to regain the lead.
Poor defending from Celtic meant striker Rhys Leacy went unmarked from a cross to slot home his second of the game. It was a great run by Leacy to be in the box at the right time to finish off a great Arklow United move.
Celtic kept knocking on the door despite going behind again.
Midfielder Danny Lai thought he had done enough to equalise as his powerful effort from inside the box looked to be going into the bottom corner but smashed off the post, much to the delight of the United keeper Tiernan Murray who didn’t know much about the shot.
Craig Caufield continued to cause problems for the United defence throughout the tail end of the first half, the young striker had a great chance on the stroke of half-time to level the scoring as he held off two opposing defenders before firing a low shot to the keeper’s left, but his effort was tipped around the post by Murray in goal who pulled off a great save.
The away side started the second half in the best way possible as they got the equalising goal they had been searching for on the 48th minute from a well-delivered cross from right-back David Kenny.
Kenny whipped in an inswinging free-kick on the right-hand side finding the head of midfielder Gary O’Loughlin who found the back of the net with a glancing header.
United were under a lot of pressure from the away side for the remainder of the game as Celtic kept pushing for a winner.
Craig Kinsella and Jay Rowlands were working tirelessly to get their side in front.
Their link-up play on the 58th minute almost resulted in their side taking the lead when Jay Rowlands went on a great run and squared the ball back to Kinsella, but Kinsella’s sliding effort was well saved by Murray in goal.
Kinsella was again involved minutes later when he proved the assist which led to his side taking the lead.
Kinsella from the halfway line picked out Caulfield who saw his shot saved on the first attempt but the striker found the back of the net with the follow-up attempt.
It was great vision from Kinsella to pick out Caulfield from distance and provide a vital assist for the visitors.
Celtic finalised the result ten minutes from time when defender
David Kenny again provided the assist to put his side out of reach of United.
Kenny made himself available for Rowlands who took a quick corner-kick, Kenny whipped in another inswinging cross which was met by Craig Caufield who made no mistake and fired past Murray in the United goal.
United had some chances late on in the game but just couldn’t find a way past a solid Celtic defence.
There was a great chance in the 85th minute for United as a Niall Higgins cross was whipped into the penalty area which looked like it was going to be taken by Celtic keeper Adam Kinsella but at the last second Kinsella lost his footing and missed the ball.
Fortunately for the away side substitute Conor Doyle was at the back post to clear the ball out of danger.
A deserved win for the Celtic men as they came from behind twice to seal the victory over their town rivals.
ARKLOW UNITED:
1. Tiernan Murray,
2. Alan O’ Neill, 3. Dan Doyle, 4. Shane Connolly, 5. Conor Bleaney, 6. Richie Neary, 7. Cian Lee, 8. Stephen Kavanagh,
9. Niall Higgins, 10. Mark Nolan, 11. Rhys Leacy. Subs: Tom Kavanagh for Richie Neary (55min), Darragh Walker for Rhys Keacy (68min)
ARKLOW CELTIC:
1. Adam Kinsella, 2. David Kenny, 3. Cillian Donegan, 4. Alan Murphy, 5. Paul Lacey, 6. Jay Rowlands,
7. Joe Mc Donald, 8. Danny Lai, 9. Gary Mc Loughin, 10. Craig Caulfield, 18. Craig Kinsella. Subs: Conor Doyle for Cillian Donegan (66min), Kevin O’ Reegan for Gary O’ Loughin (70min), Paddy Walker for Craig Kinsella (80min).
REFEREE:
Carl Doyle.