Castlebar Celtic 1
Derry City 2
CASTLEBAR Celtic’s first game in the Eircom A League was a disappointing one with visitors Derry deservedly leaving with all three points under lights in Celtic Park last Saturday evening. Celtic were somewhat disappointing and Declan Kilkenny will know they are capable of better. It was only when Derry went 2-0 in front after 79 minutes that Celtic packed a meaningful punch when they went forward.
That they very nearly secured a share of the spoils late on shows you what Celtic are capable of when they turn their minds to it but a draw on Saturday would have been harsh on a Derry side who had controlled the game up until then. In right-winger David Scullion (an FA Youth Cup winner with Aston Villa in 2002 ) and central midfielder Kevin Deery (PFAI eircom League Young Player of the Year in 2006 ) Derry had two formidable midfield men who helped Derry control the game.
And striker Seamus Cusack looked dangerous anytime he was on the ball. Cusack had two early chances before he combined with James McClean to set up Scullion for the opener on 21 minutes. It was no more than Derry’s early dominance deserved while only Sean McHale threatened for Celtic.
McHale had three chances in the third quarter – one just off target, one saved and one penalty shout turned away while at the other end Danny Kirby produced a sensational point blank save from John Bonner and Scullion struck over when it was easier to score. But Derry’s eventual second goal was shrouded in controversy. Derry were awarded a free-kick for handball by Aidan Walsh after he had blocked an initial free-kick with what looked like his face. McClean’s dead ball was tipped onto the bar by Kirby but Seamus Cusack latched onto the rebound quickest to give Derry a 2-0 lead with only eleven minutes remaining.
But Celtic were back in it merely three minutes later. James Minogue headed a Ger O’Boyle cross onto the post but substitute Enda McGahon smashed the rebound into the net and the large home attendance willed Celtic on. McGahon nearly became an instant hero when his strike one minute later had goal written all over it only for Derry ‘keeper Conor Brown to make a wonderful save. McGahon would subsequently see a wonderful volley of his go marginally over and Derry held on.
Castlebar Celtic: D Kirby; P Fitzgerald, S Ryan, J Minogue, G O’Boyle; C Rowland, A Neary, A Stevenson, R O’Boyle; A Walsh; S McHale. Subs: D Broderick for R O’Boyle (48mins ); P Dravins for Rowland; E McGahon for McHale.
Derry City: C Brown; A Devlin, S McElheney, S Sharkey, M Nicell; D Scullion, K Deery, D McCauley, J Bonner; S Cusack, J McClean. Subs: L Roddy for Devlin (66mins ); A Clarke for Cusack (90mins ).
Referee: E Deering (Roscommon ).
