Celtic throw away a two goal lead to draw with Clonduff

Celtic throw away a two goal lead to draw with Clonduff

21 February 2024

CELTIC Bhoys were held to a stalemate against unbeaten league rivals Clonduff at Ballyhornan on Saturday.

The Hoops led by a two-goal margin on two separate occasions but simply couldn’t shake their visitors on a frustrating afternoon which they may reflect upon through gritted teeth.

In-form striker Sean Ferris fired Celtic into the lead before attacking partner Seán McMahon doubled the advantage soon after.

However, a defensive mix-up allowed Clonduff an avenue back into the contest before the Belfast outfit levelled via a quick counter-attack to leave it all square at the interval.

After the break, Celtic made use of the favouring strong winds at their back as Jordan McCoubrey leathered his effort into the corner of the net and it seemed as if all three points were going the way of the hosts when some slack Clonduff defending allowed Conor Doherty to further the home team’s lead.

But, in a manic final 15 minutes, Celtic Bhoys received two red cards and conceded twice inside the space of 60 seconds to essentially award the visitors a point for making the trip.

With quite horrendous conditions falling upon the all-weather Ballyhornan pitch prior to kick-off, the heavy rain subsided just in time for the referee’s first blast of his whistle.

Celtic came firing out of the blocks and immediately won a corner kick, which was duly dealt with, although Clonduff looked shaky and the Hoops smelt blood early.

Celtic’s persistence was rewarded with the opening goal after just 17 minutes as Sean Ferris continued his goalscoring form, at the second time of asking, and squeezed his shot under Clonduff ‘keeper Adam Keatley.

Just five minutes later and Celtic found themselves two in front, this time through the head of Seán McMahon, who connected sweetly following a pinpoint free-kick from skipper Shaun Megahey.

With Celtic seemingly cruising, Clonduff forced a way back into the contest as a miscommunication from defender Paul Brady and goalkeeper Nathan Curran allowed for an unmissable tap in from Connor Campbell.

Then, with 38 minutes on the clock, a long pass forward from the Clonduff defence released striker Jonathan Bowe, who showed his Celtic marker a clean pair of heels before finishing into the bottom corner.

After the interval, Celtic began with renewed impetus and regained their advantage when Jordan McCoubrey’s strike from the edge of the box whistled into the corner of the Clonduff net.

Back and forth attacks continued but Celtic managed to net their fourth when McCoubrey dispossessed some sloppy Clonduff defending and set up team-mate Conor Doherty, who drilled his left-footed effort into the bottom corner.

The final quarter of the match saw some rough and tumble action which resulted in Celtic substitute Craig Millar being dismissed from the sideline and impact substitute Jordan Curran – who had thoroughly impressed since his introduction - being given his marching orders for an off the ball incident, despite the Hoops pleading his case.

Things went from bad to worse as Clonduff attacker Jordan Robinson danced his way through the Celtic defence to pull a goal back, before an unfortunate own goal for hosting captain Shaun Megahey saw the visitors level.

Despite near misses and close chances at both ends, there was no further action and this one ended in a draw. 

Celtic Bhoys: N Curran, S Megahey (capt), B Connolly, J Bell, P Brady, C McCartan, J McCoubrey, C Doherty, S Ferris, S McMahon, M McKee.

Subs: C Millar, J Curran, C Cullen.

Clonduff: A Keatley, C Campbell, B Scarborough, D Webb, K McRobb, N Bright, D Finlay (capt), J Bowes, D Legge, J Robinson, C Murphy.

Subs: J Dickey, R Craig.

Referee: M O’Brien.