Super Celts put seven past Newcastle Swifts

Super Celts put seven past Newcastle Swifts

25 January 2023

CELTIC Bhoys continued their quest to retain the Newcastle League’s Premier Division title with an emphatic 7-0 victory over Newcastle Swifts at Ballyhornan on Saturday afternoon.

A Sean Ferris hat-trick and a man of the match performance from Jordan McCoubrey helped the Hoops overcome the adverse weather conditions in a weekend when most games were called off due to frozen pitches.

With Newcastle afforded selection of multiple first team players, pre-match predictions from the crowd who had braved the cold indicated this contest would be a tight affair.

However, it was soon apparent it would be anything but.

With nine minutes gone Jordan McCoubrey opened the scoring for Celtic after the striker latched on to an inviting through ball from team-mate Craig Millar.

McCoubrey, who had been enduring a bit of a dry spell as of late, kept his cool and calmly slotted past Swifts ‘keeper Jack McLaughlin.

Just three minutes later the Hoops would double their lead. Captain Shaun Megahey attacked down the right flank before playing a dangerous cross into the area.

To the Celtic skipper’s delight, the ball into the box was helped handsomely by the wind and evaded the Newcastle number one before nestling into the back of the net.

Celtic continued to assert their dominance and despite a ten minute period where Newcastle threatened with near misses from Donal Acton and Darragh Rooney, it would be the Hoops who would strike next.

This time it was Millar who struck the net, with the goal of the afternoon, after he lobbed the goalkeeper with a sumptuous finish from outside of the box.

The torment continued for the Swifts when Celtic striker Sean Ferris got in on the act, which comes as no surprise as after Saturday his impressive personal goal tally stretched to 33 for the season.

The fourth goal came in the form of turning defence to attack, after Celtic’s goalkeeper Caolain Fitzpatrick, who was impressive throughout, punted a long ball forward to team-mate Megahey.

The Celtic captain cleverly squared the ball to marksman Ferris, who took a touch before finishing confidently into the corner.

Ferris had his brace five minutes later when he chipped the onrushing McLaughlin with what was an eye-catching finish. 

By half-time the fixture was over as a contest but to Newcastle’s credit, they continued to push for a goal.

The first chance of the half fell to Newcastle midfielder Paul Kearney, although his effort went wide of the post. Swifts striker Acton then saw his one on one chance saved before team-mate Andrew Watson’s strike from the edge of the Celtic box was comfortably saved.

This didn’t deter the Hoops whose game plan remained the same. After weathering the storm of Newcastle’s purple patch, Celtic smelt blood and were justified in doing so.

Veteran Peter Casey got his name added to the onslaught with just less than ten minutes to go after a Newcastle free-kick from Acton smashed the crossbar.

The resultant clearance found its way to Casey inside the opposing box, who took a touch and swivelled on the half-volley before finishing with aplomb.

With the clock ticking down, there was just enough time for Ferris to complete his hat-trick following some impressive work down the left flank from Celtic’s Jay Dagens.

Ferris received the ball inside the box, before releasing a snap-shot travelled with pace into the top corner.

After the contest had finished, man of the match Jordan McCoubrey reflected on his team’s winning performance.

“It was never going to be an easy game, with the windy conditions against us,” he said.

“We had to get the ball down and play on the ground and as usual we got the goals early.

“We got the ball onto the deck and kicked on from there.”

Celtic: C Fitzpatrick, S Megahey, R Quinn, C Logue, C McCartan, J Bell, C Millar, P Casey, S Ferris, J McCoubrey, C Kerr.

Subs: S Cahill, J Dagens, D Ennis.

Newcastle: J McLaughlin, P O’Hare, M Young, J Maginn, P McCarthy, P Kearney, A Watson, D Rooney, D McCartan, T Sexton, D Acton.

Subs: N Wells, A Boyle, R McVeigh.

Referee: Colm Gribben.