Superb Second-half secures Celts Minor League win

12^nd February 2012

Cootehill Celtic        3 - 15             Knockbride      4 - 08

Cootehill Celtic Minors opened their 2012 MFL Division 3 Campaign with a four point win over the visiting Knockbride team in Hugh O’Reilly Memorial Park on Sunday last.

Such an outcome looked unlikely after the first 30 minutes of play as the Celts trailed their opponents by seven points, 2-4 to 4-5. After an even opening few minutes, once Knockbride opened their goal account in the 7^th minute, the Canningstown outfit kicked into a higher gear and cut through the home side’s defence on several occasions.

Cootehill pulled the game out of the fire to secure the two league points on offer with a superb second half performance kicking 1-11 while limiting their opponents to just 3 points. That said, the Hoops didn’t go into the lead until the last ten minutes of the game.

Knockbride gave notice of their intent early on kicking over the bar with less than 30 seconds on the clock. Cootehill replied with points from Tom Hayes and John Carney but Knockbride had levelled things by the 5^th minute.

The first of Knockbride’s four first half goals arrived three minutes later and a second point in the 10^th minute furthered their advantage.

Celts Captain John Carney provided Cootehill’s answer with a well taken goal in the 13^th minute. But 1-2 without reply from Knockbride propelled them into a six point lead by the end of the first quarter.

Another Carney goal, this time from corner forward Caoimhin, closed the gap. But two more goals including a converted penalty, one either side of a Dean McMullen point gave Knockbride a commanding eight point lead. Caoimhin Carney reduced the lead by one point with the final score of the half meaning Knockbride enjoyed a seven point, 4-5 to 2-4, lead at the break.

Despite Knockbride pointing within a minute of the restart, Cootehill’s began to dominate exchanges as a few changes and a renewed effort and intensity began to take effect.

The Celtics rattled off seven points without reply to leave the bare minimum between the sides by the 46^th minute before Knockbride kicked a relieving point.

A quick Cootehill point soon after cancelled out that earlier Knockbride score before the Celts regained the lead for the first time since the 3^rd minute of the game as a Dermie Connolly shot found its way past the Knockbride goalkeeper - who had made several excellent saves since the second half had begun.

The home side’s ninth point of the half put them three in front but a swift Knockbride counter-attack yielded a free which was converted to keep their hopes alive.

With time running out, Cootehill ended those hopes with two well taken points from play from Hayes and Barry Smith, both the result of some determined play from the Celts. That gave the home side a four point winning margin - a 12 point turnaround from the 31^st minute of the game.

Both sides deserve great credit for an entertaining game with some excellent scores in heavy underfoot conditions.

Cootehill will travel to the Our Lady of Lourdes Park, Mullahoran to take on the home side in Round 2 this Saturday at 3pm.

Cootehill Celtic: Daragh McCarney; James McKitterick, Christopher Keenan; Odhran Reilly, Ryan O'Reilly, Barry Smith; John Carney, Aaron Cosgrove; Dean McMullen, Tom Hayes, Joseph Freeman; Caoimhin Carney, Dermie Connolly.
Subs: Fintan Roche; Fiachra Hughes.