Celtic remain in contention for league title after defeating rivals Ardglass

Celtic remain in contention for league title after defeating rivals Ardglass

1 March 2023

CELTIC Bhoys recorded an emphatic 6-1 victory over fellow league contenders Ardglass in what could be seen as a crucial result in the title race at The Meadow on Saturday.

Sean Ferris bagged himself a hat-trick with team-mates Jarlath Branagan and Shaun Megahey also adding their names to the scoresheet on a memorable away day for the Hoops.

Celtic started brightly as newcomer Jarlath Branagan struck an unstoppable effort from 25 yards which flew past Ardglass number one James Crangle to open the scoring after seven minutes.

Celtic continued their early pressure and forced Ardglass into their own half within the first quarter of the contest.

The hosts did show flashes of what they can do; threading neat passes together and creating pockets of space which on another day may have troubled Celtic.

Ardglass skipper Matthew Rooney saw his volleyed effort go wide but it was clear the Hoops heeded this as a warning.

With 19 minutes gone Celtic doubled their lead after Shaun Megahey gathered a pass from team-mate Jordan McCoubrey 30 yards from the Ardglass goal before cleverly knocking the ball past the opposing defence and attacking the right flank.

Megahey opted to try his luck, and whether or not his initial effort was meant as a cross, the Celtic defender saw his strike from the edge of the box loft over the head of ‘keeper Crangle and nestle into the back of the net.

Ardglass looked for a swift reply and they almost pulled a goal back immediately as striker Jamie McDarby manufactured space before trying his luck with his left foot.

However, this shot would end up on the wrong side of the near post, although this response was encouraging for the home support.

Still, Celtic smelt blood and continued to press and hoped to put the contest to bed before half-time.

Midfielder Peter Casey was denied by a fantastic point blank save from Ardglass ‘keeper Crangle but, unfortunately for Ardglass, there was nothing the custodian could do to deny the Hoops a third before the break.

Celtic goalkeeper Nathan Curran began the scoring sequence with a pass to team-mate Caolain Logue, who played a clever one-two down the line with the ever-dangerous Megahey.

The Celtic goal scorer turned provider as his cross into the box was met by the head of inform striker Sean Ferris, who made no mistake in adding his team’s third.

As the second half kicked off, it was Ardglass who started brightest.

Striker Mick Magee came close to getting the hosts off the mark as his volleyed effort just went over the crossbar before his glancing header narrowly whisked wide moments later.

Ardglass were probing and were rightfully rewarded for their efforts after substitute David Armstrong’s Rory Delap-esque lengthy throw-in to the box was failed to be cleared by the Celtic defence and the ball was converted into the net by Conor Kearney.

This rebuttal was short-lived as Celtic restored their scoring margin almost immediately.

After being put through to a one on one position, midfielder Casey saw his shot saved by the feet of Ardglass ‘keeper Crangle before Celtic marksman Ferris picked his spot and curled in the rebound.

Things went from bad to worse for the home team as they netted an own goal with 15 minutes remaining to bring the scoreline to 5-1.

With the match well and truly over as a contest, there was still enough time for Ferris to notch his hat-trick after Celtic midfielder Conaill Kerr’s lowly driven cross left the striker with an easy tap in to cap off an impressive victory on the road for the Hoops.

Ardglass: J Crangle, R McEvoy, P Savill, C O’Shea, M Crangle, M Rooney (capt), M Clarke, J Cusack, M Magee, J McDarby, C Kearney.

Subs: D Armstrong, R Ashe.

Yellow card: C O’Shea.

Celtic Bhoys: N Curran, S Megahey, B Connolly, C Logue, M Rice (capt), J Bell, J Branagan, P Casey, J McCoubrey, C Kerr, S Ferris.

Subs: S Cahill, C McCartan, C McDowell.