A.U.L. 2A
Saturday 14th November 2009.
Castle Celtic 2 Killowen 2.
One of the Saturday fixtures to survive the weather took place at Castletownroche as local side Castle Celtic entertained visitors Killowen in A.U.L. 2A. The home side must be commended on their facilities and in particular the immaculate playing surface. In hindsight Celtic may have wished the game was postponed as they twice went ahead and then saw victory snatched from their grasp by Declan O’ Brien’s last minute equalising goal for Killowen.
Mid-Cork based side, Killowen, are enjoying mixed fortunes in A.U.L. 2A and their line up featured new signing, Mark Cremin, who started up front alongside team captain O’ Brien. However, it was the North Cork side who started brightly and duly took the lead after 4 minutes, the ball was worked out to the right wing and a deep cross into the area landed into the path of an inrushing Celtic player who fired the ball to the back of the net. In what was an eventful opening half, Killowen had genuine claims for a penalty in the 10th minute as Cremin was upended inside the area but the referee ignored the pleas. Cremin was involved again in the 12th minute but he couldn’t keep his shot down after Patrick Bermingham’s corner broke to him on the edge of the area. Killowen’s perseverance paid off with an equalising goal in the 21st minute. Left back Kevin Collins instigated the move, he exchanged passes with Bermingham before cutting the ball back from the end line to Owen Braun, who scored with a well placed shot from inside the area. Celtic were back on the attack minutes later but failed to take advantage of a slip in the Killowen defence by shooting wide from a very favourable position. However a further error saw Celtic regain the lead in the 26th minute. Killowen needlessly lost possession in midfield allowing the home side to advance up the right wing and a well delivered cross was volleyed past Billy Sheehan in the Killowen goal. But Celtic suffered a setback in the 28th minute as they were reduced to 10 men following a mistimed tackle in midfield. Despite enjoying a numerical advantage Killowen struggled to make inroads although Cremin’s quick turn and shot forced a smart save from the home ‘keeper just before the interval.
The second half saw a change in formation by Killowen but it failed to undo the home side and it was the 10 men who dominated proceedings in the opening minutes. Killowen custodian Sheehan had to be alert in the 58th minute as he smothered a low delivery into the area with a number of Celtic players poised to score. Killowen weathered the storm and went close to grabbing an equaliser in the 68th minute, Greg Constant’s free kick into the area broke kindly for Dave Lynch, but his shot was tipped over at the expense of a corner. Declan O’ Brien was next to try his luck but his powerful free kick was deflected over the bar and from the resulting corner, fellow striker Cremin shot narrowly wide. Killowen continued to push forward in search of an equaliser but a lack of cover at the back almost cost them dearly in the 84th minute. After a Killowen attack was foiled, Celtic broke quickly from halfway and with only Sheehan to beat the home sides striker dragged his shot wide. It proved to be a costly miss as Killowen levelled matters in the last minute. Goalkeeper Sheehan’s quick throw found Dave Lynch in midfield and his pass released O’ Brien who rounded his marker before calmly slotting the ball past the advancing ‘keeper for his eight goal of the season.
Killowen.
Billy Sheehan; Eoin Scannell, John Mc Donnell, Dave Lynch, Kevin Collins; Michael Moore, Greg Constant, Owen Braun, Patrick Bermingham; Mark Cremin, Declan O’ Brien.
Substitutes.
Paul Lynch for Collins.
Kieran Casey for Scannell.
Stephen Daly for Braun.
Shane O’ Leary - not used.
