::: Gorey Celtic FC

Sunday 11th October 2009
Gorey Celtic B 1 - 3 Birr Town

A poor 2nd half showing, saw Celtic lose their half time advantage and concede three 2nd half goals to be knocked out of the Leinster Junior Shield at the 1st hurdle

Celtic started brightly and had the Birr defence on the back foot from the off, John Lavery and Paul Hayden, the new midfield pairing in the absence of captain Joe Roche, playing some good football and willing to break forward and lend a hand to the strikers. Celtic took the lead on 20 mins, when Lavery broke from midfield, and found himself in the box, squared it to David Fitzgerld, his shot was saved and the ball fell kindly to Lavery, who under severe pressure sent the ball into the net.
After going a goal down, Birr started to come to life and attacked Celtic, but with the Celtic back 4 looking strong, restricting Birr to long shots from outside the area, keeper Sam Griffith dealinwith everything.
Celtic had a few chances to increase their lead before halftime, the best falling to Paul Hayden, following a quick corner, the ball ended up at Hayden on the edge of the 18 yard line, his shot not testing the keeper.

H.T.: 1-0

Celtic didnt come out for the 2nd half at all and couldnt get going, no ideas going forward and the attackers having to live off scraps and poorly overhit balls forward. Birr sensed there was something in the game for them and started to take control in midfield, on 55 mins Birr level the game.
Celtic replaced the tired Hayden with Colm McShane to add some life to the Celtic midfield, but Birr kept on attacking. Birr deservedly took the lead on 75 mins, a mix-up in defence allowed the Birr player to make it 2-1.
Celtic tried to respond and had some desent efforts but couldnt find an equalizer, then on 85 mins, Birr made it 3 when Celtic got caught on the break.

Team: Sam Griffith, Steven Finn, Brian Maher, Chris Cullen, Ken Price, Steven Allen, John Lavery, Paul Hayden, Terry Carey, Padraic Moran, David Fitzgerald.

Subs: Chris Sheridan for Fitzgerald (30 mins, inj), Colm McShane for Hayden (60 mins), Sean Feeney for Moran (70 mins)