Celtic dazzle as Olympic unable to contain ace strikers

1 January 2019

CELTIC Bhoys were full of Christmas cheer when they lifted the Bobby Dalzell Cup for the first time at Meadowvale, Drumaness, on Boxing Day.

However, it was a case of groundhog day for Ballynahinch Olympic as they took runners-up medals for the second year in a row after losing last year’s showpiece final to Ballyvea.

There was no doubting Celtic’s superiority on the day. The Hoops raced into a 3-0 first half lead with goals from Stephen Galbraith (2) and Sean McMahon before Jordan McCoubrey delivered the coup de grace in the 77th minute to finally kill off a game Olympic outfit.

Celtic looked the more composed and inventive side from the off and an understrength Olympic struggled to create anything of note. The Hoops seized the lead with only six and a half minutes gone and never looked back.

Chris Mullan, who was like a fleet-footed gazelle down the left flank and just missed out on the man of the match award, sped past his marker on the edge of the box.

His stinging shot that looked destined for the bottom corner of the net was parried out by an alert Ryan Connollly, but Galbraith was hovering around the six-yard box and was perfectly placed to steer the ball home.

Less than two minutes later Mullan dipped his shoulder again and cut inside Jack Roddy before striking the base of the post with a fierce shot.

Olympic steadfastly refused to buckle and with 16 minutes gone were unlucky not to equalise when Aaron McCaffrey, their most potent player in attack, was unable to take advantage in a rare moment of panic in the Celtic box.

Celtic went back on the attack and with 20 minutes gone taskmaster Jordan Curran teamed up with Mullan to create an opening for Sean McMahon, but he fired wide.

Back at the other end, the dangerous McCaffrey got in behind Conor Doherty, but his delightfully flighted cross missed by everyone in the box.

With 31 minutes gone Rottweiler Curran blocked an Olympic attempt to send Rhys Patterson clear. The ball flew off his shin and into the path of the willing Sean McMahon who raced away from Michael Rice and Darryl Russell, but with only Connolly to beat, his cheeky, dinked effort grazed the crossbar on the way to safety.

A minute later another mazy Mullan run ended with the wing wizard crossing for McMahon, but this season’s top scorer had his audacious effort blocked on the six yard box with Celtic claiming a penalty.

The second goal wasn’t long in coming and with 38 minutes gone a Mullan cross was deftly headed home by Doherty, who had been given the freedom of the box. Three minutes later Galbraith made it 3-0 when his low corner evaded Connolly at his near post and ended up in the net.

Celtic continued their dominance after the break with Mullan and McMahon dovetailing perfectly for Curran, but his shot went well over the top. With 51 minutes gone McMahon decided to go it alone, but he was well off target as Olympic backed off him.

Olympic tried desperately to get things moving, but it just wasn’t their day and with 61 minutes played Russell did exceptionally well to prevent Galbraith from making it 4-0 with a last-gasp tackle.

The fourth goal was just around the corner and with 77 minutes gone Andy Baggley headed the ball into the path of prodigy Jordan McCoubrey, who looked suspiciously offside. The teenage terrier didn’t hang around as Olympic had pushed up and he raced cleat to beat Connolly all ends up.

If anything, Celtic could have won by an even bigger margin and Connolly saved brilliantly in the 90th minute to deny Baggley a fifth Celtic goal.

Celtic Bhoys: Nathan Curran, Shaun Megahey, Conor Doherty, Matthew Carson, Mikey Rice, Jordan Curran, Terence Bell, Ricky Kerr, Stephen Galbraith, Sean McMahon, Chris Mullan. Subs: Andy Baggley, Jordan McCoubrey, Chris McDowell, Jason Dagens, Eoin Boyle.

Ballynahinch Olympic seconds: Ryan Connolly, Jack Roddy, Darryl Russell, Niall McGlew, Michael Rice, Gavin McMullan, Shane Rodgers, Gary Wilson, Rhys Patterson, Aaron McCaffrey, Jack Patterson. Subs: Ryan Mason, Damian Travers, Mark McClean, Aaron McClean, Simon Marmion. Celtic Bhoys 4

B’hinch Olympic II 0

BOBBY DALZELL FINAL

Tweets by @TheDownRecorder