Celtic’s title bid is dented by rivals

Celtic’s title bid is dented by rivals

15 February 2017

DOWNPATRICK Athletic threw a spanner into Celtic’s title bid when they emerged victorious in the local derby at Kilmore on Saturday.

This was a much closer encounter than the scoreline might suggest and was a typical case of taking your chances when it mattered to secure all three points.

As has been the case for Celtic in recent weeks, they were punished for not taking their opportunities as they spurned no fewer than three one-on-one situations in the opening 45 minutes. 

The first chance fell to Jason Dagens when he was played though by Chris Perry, but his shot was tame and stand-in keeper Neill Teggart was able to make an easy save to keep the score level. 

Moments later Paul Brady got in behind the Downpatrick rearguard, but was denied not once, but twice by the woodwork.

Although Celtic had the majority of possession in the opening 45 minutes, Downpatrick always looked dangerous on the break with Tony McIlhone and Andy Baggley using their pace to create a number of openings. 

Their best opening came on 35 minutes when McIlhone got on the end of a Stephen Douglas cross only to see his header go marginally over the bar with the score remaining 0-0 at half-time.

The visitors came out the stronger of the two sides in the second half and the alarm bells were signalled with McIlhone and Sean McMahon having good chances, but both being denied by the woodwork.

However, the Hoops did not heed the warnings and it was McIlhone who opened the scoring when he headed home another Douglas set-piece.

This rallied Celtic a little and they had a number of openings to draw level, but failed to convert.

The killer blow was dealt on 70 minutes when a mix-up in the Celtic defence left striker McMahon one-on-one with ‘keeper Curran and he made no mistake to double his side’s tally.

Celtic were thrown a lifeline when Downpatrick were reduced to nine men following two dismissals in a five minute period.

Celtic pushed and pushed to get themselves back into the game, but the visitors’ defence held firm.

Celtic Bhoys: N Curran, V Perry, C McDowell, P Kelly, P Brady, M Burns, R Laverty, C Perry, C Mullan, J Dagens, J O’Connor. Subs: J McAllister, B Lennon, M Burns.

Downpatrick Athletic: N Teggart, G Trueman, S Douglas, M Carson, N Walsh, A Baggley, T McIlhone, C Kerr, S Matheson, C McCarron, S McMahon. Subs: D Turley, S McMahon, T Rooney.