Curran redeems himself to hand Celtic the crown

17 April 2019

THE champagne corks popped loudly in the cold night air at Mountain Quarter, Saul, last Thursday night when Celtic Bhoys secured the point needed to lift the Newcastle League Premier Division title for the first time.

Stevie Torney’s side are deserved champions — of that there is no doubt — as they added the Rathmourne Cup to the Bobby Dalzell Cup won at Christmas against Ballynahinch Olympic seconds.

The Hoops won the title with four games to spare and confirmed their superiority with a 6-0 victory over Dundrum United on Saturday.

They have now won 12 of the 13 games played and have accumulated 37 points, scoring 47 goals along the way.

Another 11 in their remaining games would see them pass Killough’s total of 57 to take the league’s top scorers accolade.

Thursday night’s game against Ballynagross never rose to any great heights, but it was a case of mission achieved for manager Torney.

“It’s good to get the job done and get over the line with four games still to play,” he said after the final whistle.

“We knew Ballynagross wouldn’t make it easy for us as they are a good side and we wish them well in the cup final against Killough.

“We will now look to finish the season off without losing a game in the league campaign, that would be a nice achievement.”

The Hoops have only lost two games in all competitions this season. The all-conquering Willowbank beat them in the quarter-finals of the Junior Shield and Killough caught them out recently in the semi-finals of the Harry Clarke Cup.

“Defeats to Willowbank, who are an exceptional side, and Killough were hard blows to take, but we were far from being at our best in both games and we just have to take it on the chin. We have learned a lot from both reversals and just get on with it,” he continued.

Celtic took the lead against Ballynagross with a stunning free kick from Eoin Boyle, but a headed goal from Gary Carberry that slipped through goalkeeper Nathan Curran’s hands gave the home side a deserved equaliser.

Karl Gelston’s side had a great chance to win the game with practically the last kick when they were awarded a penalty after Daniel Taggart had been fouled.

Up stepped the normally deadly Cathail Arnold, but Curran redeemed himself with a stunning save to hand the cup to Celtic.

This was Curran’s seventh penalty save of the season and manager Torney was fulsome in his praise for his relieved ‘keeper.

“To be fair, Nathan doesn’t make many mistakes, but he more than made up for his earlier one tonight. He has been great all season, all the players have. We will temper our celebrations tonight and look to finish the season off in style by adding the new Super Cup to our list. Then, we can celebrate.”

The Celtic supremo is already turning his attention to next year and was quick to dispel rumours that the club are about to move to the Amateur League.

“We will be playing our football in the Newcastle League next season, that is definite. Our players all enjoy the many derby games and that is what attracted so many of them to the club,” he insisted.

“I am always looking to strengthen the squad, but I am more than happy with what we’ve got and I must pay tribute to all the players in the club’s three senior squads.

“They do everything that is asked of them and deserve all the success that has come their way.”

Ballynagross 1

Celtic Bhoys 1

NEWCASTLE LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

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