March 2022 – Ballymurn CELTIC AFC

The lads won their second game in a row with a hard fought win against a good physical Claughbawn team.Ballymurn started the game with an intensity that has taken a while to come in previous games. The passing, moving and pressing was on point and was causing lots of problems.

After a few decent chances some would say that the first goal was fortuitous, but the management team know better. After some good play in midfield Shane O’Rourke got the ball on the right-hand side of the box and seeing the goalie ever so slightly off the line put some side spin on the ball to put it in the top left hand corner of the goal. There were mumbles from the sideline that it was a cross but as we said the management team know better!

Ballymurn continued to create chances and were awarded a penalty from a handball that was saved well from their keeper.They weren’t to be denied though and after some good work between Adam and Sean Snowy turned on a sixpence and finished nicely in the roof of the net.After the second goal Claughbawn started to get more of a foot in the game and started to play the ball around themselves.

The nearest they came though was from a free kick outside of the area that went over the bar.The game was 2-0 at half time and it was no more than the lads deserved after playing some of the best football they’d played all season.The second half was slightly different with the game becoming a bit scrappy at times. The lads did create some chances but didn’t score and this could have proved costly.

With about 15 mins left Claughbawn got a free kick from outside of the area. This was driven low on the floor and as it bobbled towards goal (A Ballymurn player who shall remain nameless, but those that know, know) expertly put the ball into his own net. We have been informed that this was the same player who missed two penalties in one game against the same team 12 years ago!

It’s just as well he had an excellent game at the back.With a few minutes left, a game that should have been won got nervy, and Claughbawn could have equalised when one of their players was through on a 1V1 but a mixture of good goalkeeping by James White and an excellent defensive tackle and tracking back by Paul Dempsey stopped them from scoring.The game finished shortly after.

Overall it was a very impressive display from the lads against a decent team. Some of our shooting left a lot to be desired but the overall intensity and passing was great to watch at times.We’d just like to wish the couple of lads who went off injured well and also wish Joe Kelly , who had to go off with a runny nose, all the best.

Matchday Squad

James White

Paul Walsh

Stephen Redmond

Josh Waldron

Shane O’Rourke 1

Adam O’Brien

Josh Whitehead

Joe Kelly

Sean Walsh

Snowy 1

Cathal Roche