Brilliant Bhoys are champions

Brilliant Bhoys are champions

13 April 2022

CELTIC Bhoys were crowned Newcastle League Premier Division champions after an exciting encounter against Killough at The Millfield on Saturday. 

Celtic Bhoys were going into the game knowing that only a win could guarantee them the league crown whilst if Killough grabbed the victory they also could still claim the title. 

Celtic Bhoys went straight into attack mode to go looking for an early goal but it was Killough’s Daniel Taggart, in the ninth minute, who had the first real chance. 

A through ball from team-mate Connor Kelly left Taggart one on one with Celtic ‘keeper Nathan Curran but his shot went wide.

Celtic Bhoys responded by upping their tempo down the left wing which paid off just two minutes later. 

A danger ball into Killough box was met by an error from the home defence, who failed to clear their lines and allowed Conaill Kerr to tap in Celtic Bhoys’ first goal. 

The away side quickly followed this up with their second after a corner kick found team captain Mikey Rice, who finished the chance with a goal. It was nearly 3-0 within the first 15 minutes as Jordan McCoubrey’s free-kick crashed off the bar before being cleared by Killough’s Tony McIlhone. 

It was all one way in the game, but Killough got a goal back when Connor Kelly took a calculated chance just short of the centre circle and caught Celtic Bhoys napping. 

The goal was the chance for Killough to get back into the game, but it spurred Celtic Bhoys on, as their third goal came in a similar fashion to their second. 

A corner kick taken by Barry Treacy lofted into Mikey Rice for the Celtic Bhoys captain to increase the gap to two goals again. 

Just five minutes later and the game would see its fifth goal with Celtic Bhoys’ Shaun Megahey applying the finishing touch from the edge of the box. This brought an end to an extremely fast paced opening half an hour and there would be no further changes to the scoreline until after the break.

It was a big task for Killough to get back into the game as news was travelling that Ardglass were leading against Ballynagross in the other top of the league game. Celtic Bhoys striker Jay Gibney had a chance in the 48th minute, but it was well cleared by Gareth George. 

A slight passing from Killough’s Kelly to Gargan presented a chance to Celtic’s McCoubrey, although his shot whistled wide. 

Killough had a great chance in the 58th minute when a free kick taken into the box found the head of Tony McIlhone, but agonisingly his shot went just over the bar. 

Killough kept attacking and had chances through a header from Declan Looney and a cross into the box which Kevin Groves couldn’t apply the finishing touch. 

Killough were rewarded with their second goal on the 80th minute through Looney but the Celtic Bhoys defence held strong for the remaining ten minutes until the full-time whistle was blown. Celtic Bhoys deservedly took the points and the title after a great performance away from home. 

Killough: J Crangle, L Murphy, E Gargan, S Og Burns, T McIlhone, D Burns, C Kelly, G George, D Taggart, K Groves, D Looney. 

Subs: R Burns, R Sharvin, C Doyle. 

Celtic Bhoys: N Curran, S Megahey, B Connolly, G Carberry, M Rice, C Doherty, B Treacy, P Casey, J Gibney, J McCoubrey, C Kerr. 

Subs: C McCartan, T Loudon, P Brady.