Stormtroopers see off busy Dundrum

9 December 2015

CELTIC’S crack commandos outmanoeuvred a battling Dundrum United at a windswept Badger Park in Ballykinlar on Saturday.

Stephen Torney’s troops are now five points clear at the top of the table after this victory and credit must go to both sets of players for putting a saddle on the wind and riding out the storm, putting on a decent show in dreadful playing conditions.

The gusting, swirling wind that was accompanied throughout by incessant, soft rain, made life extremely difficult, but both teams wisely tried to keep the ball on the deck in a bright opening.

Chances were hard to come by early on, but with 10 minutes gone young Sanctan Byrne missed a glorious opportunity after getting in behind the Celtic defence.

Eleven minutes later at the other end Shane Baggley put on the burners as he entered the box.

He was promptly bundled over by two defenders, but no penalty was awarded. Celtic continued to ask the questions and with 23 minutes gone Aaron Rice saved well when he kept out a free kick from the ageless Peter Kelly, who was around when Master Yoda went to school.

The opener wasn’t long in coming, but there was a hint of controversy about it. Mark Connor tried to play the ball out of the box, but appeared to have been fouled by Caolan Boyd.

The big striker took possession of the ball and quickly drilled it past a helpless Rice.

Dundrum didn’t hang around and were back on level terms within four minutes. Chris Hogg drifted wide and played a super ball into the path of Byrne and he volleyed in a superb equaliser.

A minute later at the other end, Rice produced a stunning save to deny the marauding Mullan, but Dundrum failed to realise the danger he was creating and paid the ultimate penalty.

With 35 minutes gone Michael Rice played a through ball into the path of Mullan and the former Downpatrick FC striker netted after the unfortunate Connor slipped at the most inopportune time.

Dundrum went for broke after the break and Jordan Kennedy should have equalised when he got on the end of a corner, but failed to get any power into his header.

Two minutes later at the other end Baggley’s tempting cross caused the Dundrum back four all sorts of problems before the impressive Gavin McNerlin hacked clear.

McNerlin was like a Rottweiler all afternoon and never missed a tackle, legally or illegally and best of all he played the game with a smile on his face.

Stefan McConvey was denied by Rice before Paddy Cunningham was inches away from making it 2-2, but it was Dundrum who were now looking the more likelier to score.

However, Celtic threatened on the break on more than one occasion and Mullan really should have increased his side’s lead in the 67 minute when he somehow scooped the ball over the ball from a great position.

With 70 minutes gone a Byrne cross begged to be put away, but Aaron McKibben was millimetres was away from getting a connection.

Mullan was denied by Rice again after a piercing pass from Matthew McGarritty and the belligerent Anthony Doherty was off target after another surging run.

Mullan wasted another golden opportunity in the 75th minute before Dundrum were denied a penalty at the opposite end when the Celtic midfielder fell on the ball well inside the box.

Dundrum huffed and puffed in a bid to snatch a late equaliser, but Mullan regained his Mojo and with time almost up he was played in by Ben Curran and from an almost impossible angle beat Rice with a clinical drive.

Dundrum just could not breach the Celtic defence again as the Hoops claimed the spoils.

Celtic Bhoys: N Curran, J Murphy, S Megahey, P Kelly, M Rice, A Doherty, S McConvey, J McAllister, C Mullan, C Boyd, S Baggley. Subs: C McGarritty, K McGarritty, B Curran.

Dundrum United: A Rice, G McNerlin, R Hassard, M Connor, J Kennedy, P Cunningham, C Fitzpatrick, C Miskelly, C Hogg, S Byrne, J Dumigan. Subs: C Bonner, S Moore, A McKibben.

Celtic Bhoys 3

Dundrum United 1

NEWCASTLE LEAGUE DIVISION 1

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