Celtic 14s became Cup Winners in their first ever season with a comprehensive victory over Coleraine Academy. This is quite an achievement from the young players but no more than they deserve after the hard work and effort they have put in all season. In reality this was a complete destruction of a team that, until the Final, Celtic had not beaten. It was another outstanding team performance from the young Celts who have gathered many supporters and admirers along the way with their quick skilful style of football.
Right from the first whistle the Draperstown boys took the game straight to Coleraine. Within the first 5 mins the Celts had the Coleraine team penned into their own half and were putting them under constant pressure. The Coleraine goalkeeper was going to be in for a busy morning. On the left wing Mark Doole was creating havoc with rampaging runs and he went close with a shot and then he delivered several great crosses which his team mates could not convert. The same player was then fouled and Ciaran Scullion hit a free kick which went just over. The Celts continued to pile on the pressure and following good play down the right Flanagan picked up the ball and ghosted in to the penalty area before hitting a great shot across the keeper and into the bottom corner. 1-0 to the Celts.
Again from the re-start Draperstown harried and pressed the Coleraine players giving them no time to settle and play football. Already Celtic was the dominant team and could have gone further ahead when shots from Doole, Scullion and Convery were desperately defended by Coleraine. The much deserve second goal arrived when Convery hit a great free kick which the Coleraine keeper could not hold and Flanagan was on hand to nod the ball over the line for his second goal. 2– 0 to Draperstown.
Coleraine did manage a few half-hearted attempts at goal but found McGuigan, Murphy, McCloskey and McGeehan in unforgiving mood and no real danger transpired. The torrential rain at this stage could have made things awkward but the young Celts coped with the conditions really well, especially Gallagher in the goals whose handling was assured all day. At half time the score was 2-0 and Coleraine were looking shell shocked.
After the kick off Coleraine did look a bit more composed and tried to play some football but again the Draperstown lads hassled, harried and hunted down the opposition when they had the ball. On a rare occasion the Coleraine team did break through the defence McCloskey chased down the forward and slid in with a thunderous tackle to win the ball and he was able to launch another attack from the back. The work rate of the Draperstown midfield and front players was remarkable and with Glass up front proving a handful it seemed like Coleraine were going to be in for another uncomfortable half.
The left winger did try to break through but he was shepherded across the 18 yard box before being stopped in his tracks by a magnificent sliding tackle from McGeehan. The young Celts had a big scare when a Coleraine corner ricocheted around the penalty area before Glass cleared off his own goal line and the ball was hacked away. This seemed to rejuvenate the young Celts and the third goal duly arrived when Flanagan flicked the ball over a midfielder beat another two men and hit a shot across goal to make it 3- 0 and complete his hat trick. The work rate of the Celts began to take its toll and Gilmore came on to steady things on the right which he did really well.
Coleraine were then given a slim lifeline when the referee awarded a dubious penalty leaving the DC management and supporters amazed. Gallagher picked the right way but the ball went just wide of his fingertips. The young Celts responded in the best way when Doole went on another of his storming runs before being cynically brought down. The resultant free kick was a great shot from McGuigan right inside the post which the keeper could not hold onto. 4 – 1 to Celtic. Draperstown took of Flanagan to thunderous applause and replaced him with Grant as the midfield choked any life out of the
Coleraine team. Indeed Celtic could have had another when a great volley from fullback Murphy rattled off the crossbar with the keeper well beaten. The referee then blew the whistle to send the young Celts and their massive contingent of supporters into celebration.
Team: Conor Gallagher, Odhran McGuigan, Michael McGeehan, Roghan, McCloskey, Ronan Murphy, Ciaran Scullion, John Eddie Convery, Peter Lagan, Mark Doole, Tiarnan Flanagan, Conor Glass
Subs: Aaron McBride, Eoghan Gilmore, Conor Baker, Peter Armour, Pearse, Grant
Goals: Flanagan (3) McGuigan
Conor Gallagher’s handling and organising was spot on, Odhran and Ronan never gave the wingers a sniff, Roghan and Mick were rocks in the centre. Peter Lagan tormented the left back all day and did a great defensive roll also, John Eddie and Ciaran dominated and orchestrated things in the middle and Mark Doole ran himself into the ground for his team with Coleraine putting 2 men on him to try and stop him. Conor Glass was a handful, winning every header and Tiarny scoring a hat trick (not much you can say about scoring a hat trick in a final). Eoghan Gilmore and Pearse Grant came on and steadied things up and Conor Baker, Peter Armour and Aaron McBride did their part in ensuring the team reached the final. WELL DONE LADS – DC ARE PROUD OF YOU ALL.
Thanks to the massive crowd of supporters who turned out to support the team yesterday. It was much appreciated by all at DCFC. THANK YOU.
Thanks to John Doole for the sponsorship of the Energy Drinks and to Paul Regan who has contributed all season by sponsoring the hat trick heroes. Thanks also to Declan McBride from Slims Café, Maurice Regan of theMarket Inn and O’Kanes Newsagents for their after game refreshments. This is much appreciated by all at DCFC Youth.
