2008 / 2009 Season

April 2009
The best season so far!!

The end of the season is upon us and what a season it has been with both senior teams not just winning promotion but also confirmed champions with games to go!! Along with the relocation to out new grounds it has been a season remember. Many of our underage teams also contributed to our success, in particular William Kehoe (under 8s), Tommy Gaynor and Karl Devlin (under 10s), John Clarke and Richie Reardon (under 12s), Jimmy Kinsella and John Burke (under 14s) and Jason Kehoe (under 16s). The hard work is done and our targets have been exceeded.

Goreycelticfc.com would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all management, players, supporters and club associates for all their hard work and effort. With both senior teams consisting of an extremely young average age we can enjoy the summer knowing that there's plenty more success to come next year!
Hope to see you all at our end of season ball!

Season Reviews:
Chairman - Thomas Fitzpatrick
First team coach - Tom Connor
Second team coach, Tony Browne
Schoolboys chairperson, Mary Connor
1st team captain, Noel "Maddog" Kenny

To see our results and match reports for the year click here
To see our final league position using click here
To see our celebration pictures click here
To send your congratulations click here

Chairman - Thomas Fitzpatrick

I woke around 4am on April 20th and thought I was dreaming, I had a small hangover but just could not believe what had just happened to the club.
We were div 5 and now div 2a champions in one year, we had made unbelievable strides.
I lay there thinking about the year, one thing after another sprang to mind and I am sure everyone in the club has there own special memories but for me ill give yous a few examples.

When the new committee formed last July we knew we were going somewhere where no other committee had gone in the club since our formation back in 1991 but as chairman and I'm sure I can speak for all, that we knew we would be ok because everyone would do their own bit for the cause.
The first big challenge was the new facilities and organising the opening day and that passed with flying colours, off to a good start!

We may have been wise or lucky with our land deal but when the deal was done we embraced the challenge, but there is no good having facilities if you have no players to use them, enter Tom, Jason, Craig, Danny, Tony, Mick and the famous Ricky, they are what I deem as our main recruiting officers and with our good foundation they brought in some great players to help take our campaign to challenge for honours in in the coming season.
From the word go it was heads down, training hard, playing friendlys, training harder and some more training. By the time the first league games came around Browner had us like greyhounds that could play some ball.

My mind was like a whirlwind with thoughts of the 2nds performance up in Ramstown, that day I knew the boys were going to go on and win their title, never doubted it, a great mix of young and old especially the old boys Lav and Roche two of them deadly all year, forgot to mention Christy, can’t beat the quiet man!

Then the day the 1sts played in North End, injuries to Gooch and Dave Fitz, I was playing that day and knew we were in trouble but enter Chris and Walshie, knew we had bottle now was sure we would make a serious challenge for honours.
That is what our club is about, always somebody to stand up and take up the responsibility, no hiding place just good men all after the same goals.

I could write a book on things that happened this year a lot of them good but still there was some tough moments for club members losing family members and we should remember them in the good times as well.
Two things stand out to me over the year, one was the night training in the snow (blizzard), there was no complaints everyone just got on with it and the other was the players meeting.
This meeting made everyone stand back and take a look at where we were going instead of just letting the season slip away from complacency, after that there seemed to be a drive to win every game but also a massive belief in our managements, no matter what decisions needed to be made.

We have done remarkably well for our first year in Mullaunfin but let’s hope it’s just a start of things to come well done to all.

Finally I would like to thank all the members and the committee for their support over the year , if you were in doubt over any issue they were only a call away, you got advice on what to do whether you liked it or not, also to the schoolboy committee under the leadership of Mary Connors, brilliant stuff lads and lassies keep it going, that’s what it’s all about.
Thanks to my good wife Evelyn for putting up with my disease that is Gorey Celtic and if I have forgotten anyone Im sort of sorry.

Well done Celtic let’s keep the train moving now!!!!

First team coach - Tom Connor

Well its now 48 hours since last Sundays game (April 19th), I think for 35 hours of that I have been either semi or fully drunk. Writing this article on Tuesday morning, nursing a small " Hangover" I will attempt to review the campaign. If I forget to thank everyone involved I will apologise in advance.

What a year for the Club, starting off with the official opening of our new facility in Mullaunfin, Installing State of the Art Floodlighting, and our two senior teams winning their respective Divisions. I knew from last years AGM, that this year would be different. The signing of Tony Browne as manager of the 2nd team and Club trainer was crucial.
Tony is a driven, focussed, football man. HE WOULD NOT SUFFER FOOLS. but would the players respond? The answer was an emphatic yes.
8 months of structured, motivated training sessions, in the dark nights of winter, in rain, hail and snow the players responded with large attendances at every session, Did they moan? Did they whinge? well, yes some did. But the difference this year was that the two teams got off to winning starts, competition for places on both teams was fierce. Guys were afraid to go away for weekend breaks with their families in the fear of losing their place.
With the large numbers training, it lead to other problems, how could we keep all the Panel Happy, some weeks the 2nd team would have up to 22 guys to pick from.
Maybe a 3rd team next year is the answer. But that's for another day.

The work Danny Reilly and Craig Connor put into the youths team over the past 2 years paid off. We now had 4 players on the first team panel from the youths team. David O Brien. Thomas Stafford. Paul Timmons and Chris Sheridan.
These 4 guys all contributed immensely over the entire campaign.

The Signing of Big Bad Jack for the goalkeeping position was another major factor. I spotted Jack playing 5-a-side at the complex during the summer. I approached Big Jack and his wife, and as they say the rest is history. As all goalkeepers he is Mad, But what a season he's after having.
A Total Gentleman.

Tony signed Aidan Mullet and Wes Fitzpatrick. They started as 2nd team players, but it became apparent very early in the season that these lads could do a job on the first team squad. With the youths and the new signings combined with the established first team players, we now had a panel of over 16 players.

Injuries

What a season for serious injuries.
Craig Connor missed the first 4 months with a knee injury from pre-season.
We lost The Gooch and Dave Fitzgerald to serious knee injuries, both in the same game within 10 minutes of each other. ( Away North End)
Peter Nunan. Broken Ankle for the 2nd team Away V. Gorey Rangers

Winning The Title

It was essential to get off to a good start. Winning the first 6 or 7 on the bounce helped. Our first defeat was at Home to bottom of the table Fethard Rangers. 1 up on 88 Minutes. 2-1 Down on 90+2
Our next game was away to Ferns Utd. That day I learned that we had a team capable of going the course. We won 1-0, but the character shown would stay with us for the remainder of the season.
Rosslare Rangers away was another key victory. Big jack saved a penalty, and played Rosslare on his own in the 2nd half. We were poor that day. Big jack was immense.

The real turning point of the season came in a fixture during the Christmas Break. Div 1 St Josephs wanted a game, I was not so sure, if they gave us a beating what would it do for our confidence. There was a rumour circulating around Gorey that Celtic go down faster than the decorations after Christmas.
That day we battered St. Josephs. Mark Tyndall played sweeper and Paul Timmons played full back. Mark Tyndall played the remainder of the season as sweeper. Paul Timmons arrived on the scene, offering Jason and myself more options.

The most pleasing aspect of winning the Title was that we played football the way it should be played. We always tried to play a passing game. A number of times we went behind in games but never panicked.

A thank-you to Mark Egan. Top man. Its great to have Mark at games should someone get injured.
To Jason, many thanks. The voice of reason.

To Tony Browne, again thanks. (at least our phone bills wont be as high during the summer.) We spoke everyday during the season.

To My Better half, Mary. Thanks for all the support and help during the year.

Finally The Players:
Jason and myself were privileged to work with you. Many thanks for all the enjoyment, ups and downs.
Ye are mighty men.

ROLL ON NEXT SEASON

Second team coach, Tony Browne

What a season we had, starting off with a 3-1 win against Bridge Rovers. We went through September with all wins and the only points we dropped were away to Ferns in October.
Fitzy and Dazler were causing hovoc every weekend.
We won all our games in November even beating our local rivals in their own backyard, the referee still rates that game the best game of football he had seen in that division. Credit to both teams.
In December, the weather caused chaos, we won our 2 game. Fitzy got injured long term, super Smegs was out long term too. We could cope without the boys!! (just!), such was the strength of our squad. We came back after the Christmas break and lost for the 1st and only time this season at home to Ferns.
Just the kick the boys needed.

We went out of the Wexford Cup to Johnstown Castle, it was a mini blip.
We won all our games in February, the hunger and desire as back. Rochey, Lavery, Terry and Darren were getting goals for fun. Dazler was only coming on in games and with his pace and eye for goal was causing absolute mayhem!!
We went out of the Gwyn Jones Cup to All Blacks and then we gained promotion against Gorey Rangers at home with a 4-1 victory.
We won all our games in March, playing with confidence and style. It did not matter what side we put out, they were fantastic.

Sunday 5th April, we were away to Rosslare Port, a strong and physical side, who always gave 100%. The team was brilliant, we won with all the boys giving 150%. Physically, mentally our lads had it all today. Terry, Joe and Dazler chipped in with the goals.

WE WERE CHAMPIONS

Fully deserved too, we were the best, played the best football, we played with style, energy, skill and hunger.
Into April we drew with Taghmon and last game against Stoney Rovers at home we won 4-1.

Fantastic Season, I am very proud of the Boys.

I have to mention Mick and John, my co-managers, absolutely lost without them. The Murphy Brothers on the line who must have kicked every ball. How could i forget about Nicky Murphy, for his unselfish attitude, he looked after me more then once.
A man you want in the trenches along side you.
Mark, our physio, Top Man.
Tom Connor, for his phone calls every day, his non stop willingness to do anything for me or the players. His input is unreal, take a bow Tom.

The squad of players, I have worked and played with many of the lads and my respect and my admiration for the boys is bottomless. Everyone showed great commitment, honesty, fitness levels went through the roof. They always trusted me with training and team selections.
Absolutely brilliant lads, WELL DONE.

Finally a big thank you to Denise, my wife, for putting up with me, the football was an everyday, on going subject in our house. She pushed me when i needed it, brought me back to earth too when i needed it.
Shes just as passionate as me.

Well done to all, enjoy the summer.

The bar has and will be raised even more next season.

Schoolboys chairperson, Mary Connor

Firstly, may I take this opportunity in congratulating the senior section of the club in their achievements in winning their respective league divisions this season.
A most pleasing aspect of the success, was the number of our past schoolboys who are now starting to break through into the senior squads.

I would like to thank the following people for their unrelenting efforts over the past season.
Our secretary Tina Clarke and register Karl Devlin.
Managers: William Kehoe, Tommy Gaynor, Karl Devlin, Richie Reardon, John Clarke, John Burke, Jimmy Kinsella and Jason Kehoe.
Fellow Committee members: Jackie Finn, Lorraine Doyle and Paul Davis.

It should be pointed out the amount of effort that goes into running the schoolboys/girls section. From weekly training sessions, to arranging home and away games, contacting all children, gaining the necessary coaching badges etc.
This work goes unseen by the majority, but nonetheless our trusted "few" keep the clubs colours flying countywide.

I would ask that any senior players interested in managing or coaching schoolboy teams please make themselves known,
WE NEED YOU !!!!

We cater for Children from Unders 8s through to Under 16s, any help would be appreciated.
Last year saw record numbers enrolled into the schoolboy section and I believe that this will only grow in the future.

The Club is fully supportive of all FAI coaching courses, all current managers are at least " Kick Start Level 1" approved.

We cater for all children, regardless of ability, in an atmosphere of structured fun and respect

All teams representing the club this season were very competitive in their respective divisions.
Currently our Under 10 squad are in the quarter finals of the Wexford Cup. I wish them the best of luck in their next game.
Next season I would ask senior members to look for the schoolboy fixtures in the local press and support the underage teams on Saturdays.
Please remember a player of 10 or 12 years of age will be a future Senior 1st or 2nd team player in 7 or 8 years time.

1st team captain, Noel "Maddog" Kenny

The season itself might have started in September, but for the men of Gorey Celtic our season began in July. A former member had rejoined us, Tony Browne, and he was coming in on a mission: to get both Gorey Celtic teams promoted and, with a bit of luck, get both teams a Division Title too.
From the start this season had a different feeling to it. We’d just moved into our new grounds at Mullaunfin which were the best in the South East, we now had a trainer who is up there with the best, our Youth team had won the league in the previous season and the young lads were chomping at the bit, eager to join the Senior ranks, we had made numerous signings over the summer and there was already a feel good atmosphere in the club.

September 2nd 2008.
A momentous day for Gorey Celtic when we played our first competitive game on our new pitch, with Ferns United being the visitors. Would the first goal be a screamer from 30 yards, a fitting start to such splendid surroundings? Unfortunately not, Danny O’Reilly’s knees saw to that when he bundled the ball in from 4 yards. A tough game resulted in a 2-1 win to the men from Gorey. Perfect start and enhanced the feeling that this season could be a bit special. This was followed by three tricky away games to Fethard Rangers, New Ross Celtic and Killenagh. Maximum points resulted from these games despite Fethard and New Ross giving us tough matches. By the end of September our record was flawless. Played 4, Won 4.

This was followed by a further 3 wins in October, two of which were important for different reasons. A 3-1 win away to North End United was huge at a time, they were competing at the top, this was followed by a 4-3 win down on Rosslare Rangers pitch. On a day when the team in general had a shocker our new goalkeeper Big Jack made a series of top class saves.
At the end of October it was 7 wins from 7 games, not bad for a team who only had 11 wins in the entire 2007/08 campaign. It has to be said, at this stage of the season we already had 14 different goal scorers, a real team effort. However, the confidence in the team had turned to cockiness and that’s always dangerous at this level. Our next game proved that.

November 23rd and Fethard Rangers were the visitors to Mullaunfin. On a day when it was criminal to even get out of bed in the weather, Celtic turned up and the attitude was not one of "Will we win?", but "How many will we score against the bottom team in the division?". Stevie Allen scored after 2 mins and we missed several chances to finish the game in gale force conditions. Sloppy finishing and a general malaise over the team let Fethard back into the game and in the 89th minute they scored an equaliser. This was followed 2 mins later by another goal and Celtic had our first defeat of the season. Was the season about to crumble?
The next 2 games proved it wasn’t. Ferns United away, always a difficult game but a day when Celtic, to a man, gave 100% commitment in below zero temperatures. Craig Connor getting the goal, a welcome back for a man who’s season had looked finished before it even began back in August.
The game after that was New Ross Celtic at home. Gorey went into a 2 goal lead, New Ross scored a goal and started putting us under pressure. Then a moment of madness from Danny O’Reilly could have cost us. His red card meant we were struggling, this was made worse 2 mins later when New Ross scored an equaliser. Down to 10 men with 30 mins left, were Gorey going to lose for the second home game in a row? No chance. Gorey dug in and increased their efforts by 50%. David O’Brien was put on the wing and destroyed New Ross’ full back. A goal from Craig Connor and a 15 minute hat-trick from Ange Marsella meant that Gorey won 6-2. A massive result.
Just one more game before the Christmas break and who else could it be but our local rivals, and a team with designs on the Division 2A trophy themselves. On a day nothing went right for Celtic we were lucky to escape with a 2-1 defeat. A sour note to finish 2008 on but it was a start we’d have taken at the beginning of the season. 11 games, 9 wins, 2 defeats and 27 points on the board. 28 goals scored and only 15 conceded.

Into 2009 and between cup games and bad weather it wasn’t until February 15th that Celtic got their league campaign underway again, an easy 4-1 victory over Killenagh is only worth noting for the ease with which we destroyed them, it was like men against boys at times. We all know later on that the boys ended up crying out of bitterness and jealousy. Another big game before the end of February was at home to Blackwater. Blackwater came looking for a draw and spent 70 mins frustrating the Celts. Thankfully Celtic kept their heads, despite Blackwater trying to take Wes Fitzpatrick’s head off, and played a patient game. Danny O’Reilly made the breakthrough on 70 mins with a goal he should have scored on the first day, Wes getting a goal 2 mins later to seal the game.

March was another month with a busy schedule and an historic game for Gorey Celtic. Peaking at the right time of the season Celtic won every match this month. A 4-0 home victory over Rosslare Rangers, Big Jack being less busy this time thankfully, a 7-0 thrashing of Killenagh in a cup game, a 3-1 away win over Kilmore when the press were in attendance, a match report appearing in "The Star" and "Evening Herald" during the days after. The first 45 mins of this game was the best Celtic have played all season. Every man first to the ball, hassling their opponent and playing quality football on a pitch that didn’t deserve it. This game was another turning point in the season. Against a potentially tricky side who had put our nearest rivals to the sword only 2 weeks previously the attitude and camaraderie was spot on from meeting at 9.30 that morning.
Up next was an historic day for both Gorey Celtic and the Wexford League. March 27th 2009 being the day that the first floodlit match would take place in the Wexford League. Orrill United were the visitors and a large crowd saw a 3-1 victory to Celtic, Craig Connor getting the first goal under lights.

Coming into April the Celts were on the final straight, would they last the pace? Conceding an early goal against North End United might have rattled lesser men, but not this group. Putting their opponents under intense pressure Celtic owned the rest of the game. 4 goals in 10 minutes were just rewards.
With the changing of the clocks midweek games were now an option and our first midweek game was against our biggest rivals, Gorey Rangers. Celtic went behind after a shaky 10 mins. This goal woke us up and for the rest of the 1st half we dominated and with better finishing could, and should have been in the lead. The 2nd half being a more even affair, at the end of the game everyone in attendance felt that a draw was a fair result, but the men from Ramstown won, the first, and only, time all season that Celtic had been held scoreless. We’ll lock horns again next season and hopefully the results will be different.
This was followed by a trip to Blackwater. Celtic went behind again but like all successful teams that usually just gets us fired up and we went on to score 6, a comprehensive victory in the end. Another midweek game saw us play Anchor United, another local team and a team who had been pushing for the title all season but had fallen away in the previous few weeks. The first 45 mins were the worst we’ve played all season but we still found ourselves 2-0 up. Sloppy passing, lack of communication, silly decisions, Tom gave us the deserved hairdryer treatment at half time. It worked. In the 2nd half we dominated Anchor to such an extent that the full time score of 6-0 barely did us justice. That result meant our next match was what we had played for all season, the chance to win the title.

April 19th 2009 is a day that will go down in Gorey Celtic history. 6 years after our last, and only, title we had our chance again. Needing only a draw, confidence was high. With only 5 players remaining from that day in 2003 (Tommy Fitzpatrick, our captain on that day, Noel Kenny, Danny O’Reilly, Craig Connor and Willie Keogh) for most of the team it was a new experience. Playing away to Orrill United we set off with 16 men determined that the next time we came back to town we were bringing the cup with us.
On the hottest day of the year we did just that. David O’Brien with the breakthrough just before half time. Orrill with their own agenda, to avoid relegation, came out in the 2nd half with all guns blazing and got a deserved equaliser on 60 mins. During the next 30 mins would Celtic collapse under the pressure? Of course not. This was our day and we were not going to be beaten. After 93 mins the referee blew the final whistle and victory was ours.
Finally. After all the nights training in the complex in the cold and rain this team finally got what they deserved and the cup was handed over.

Why did we win the league this year? There’s many reasons. The fantastic facilities we have, the excellent training we’ve had. A team spirit that you cant buy. The lads who have been with the club for years. Myself, Tommy Fitzpatrick, Craig Connor, Danny O’Reilly and Willie Keogh. The young lads who’ve stepped up from the Youths. David O’Brien, Thomas Stafford, Chris Sheridan, Paul Timmins, Mark Walsh. These lads have a good 15 years ahead of them and will be class acts. The lads who have moved to Gorey over the years. Mark Tyndall, Dave Melia (or Donie as the national media call him), Stevie Allen, Paraic "Gooch Moran", Dave Gahan, Peter Noonan, Barry Glencross, David Fitzgerald. The newcomers to the team this year, Big Jack, he’s been absolutely immense this year. Aidan Mullet, Wes Fitzpatrick, Ger Carey, Ange Marsella, Terry Carey. Every man has played their part this year.
Forgive me if I’ve forgotten anyone. If you played even a minute for us this season then you earned the right to call yourself a winner.

Thank you's
Hardest part of this is who to thank. There’s been so many people who’ve helped us on our way this year.
Mark Egan, a reassuring presence that should a bad injury happen we’ve got expert help.
Tony Browne, the best trainer in the South East. The club is so lucky to have this man. His knowledge of the game is second to none. His enthusiasm is an example to us all and he’s got every last bit of effort out of the lads on both sets of teams. His importance can’t be underestimated. If it wasn’t for him then neither team would have won their titles
Our managers, Tom Connor and Jason Keogh. They’re there every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday giving encouragement, no shortage of motivating and getting the team to play football in the way it’s meant to be. Everyone knows how much Tom has given to the club and he deserves this title more than anyone. Jason has been out with injury for 2 years but there’ll always be a spot on the team when he comes back.
Mary and Christina. Been there hail or shine and even though ye have bit the ear of us once or twice ye have kept us well fed when there’s a need for sandwiches. Well Mary has at least.
Everyone involved with the 2nd team. The fact they’ve done brilliantly too has meant the whole club has been in great form and that’s been infectious.

Anyone else who’s involved with the club. We’ve got something special, let’s keep it up.

Is this as good as it’s going to get for Gorey Celtic? Absolutely not.
Let’s push on from here and next year let’s have the Division 2 and Division 4A titles in the clubhouse.