Hoops put Swifts to the sword

Hoops put Swifts to the sword

8 May 2024

CELTIC Bhoys kept on track for the 2C league title following a runaway win over a visiting Ballysillan Swifts outfit at Ballyhornan on Saturday. 

Conaill Kerr got the scoring underway three minutes into the game with a half-volleyed goal and it looked as if a second was soon to follow but Michael Rice’s header was well saved by the Ballysillan goalkeeper. 

Ballysillan were granted an easy leveller in the 14th minute but not long after Celtic Bhoys restored the lead when Jay Gibney’s throw-in met the head of skipper Rice. 

It was all Celtic Bhoys until half-time, with Sean Ferris notching two goals and Seán McMahon adding another when Kerr’s strike rebounded into his path for an unmissable finish.

With a four goal lead going into the second half, it looked a surefire win and the goals kept coming. 

Kerr added his second in the 57th minute before Celtic made two substitutions with Michael Burns and Sean McMahon coming off for Paul Brady and Aidan Connolly. 

It did not take long for Connolly to make an impact with a goal three minutes later. 

Connolly was then unfairly taken down inside the box and a penalty was awarded. Jordan Curran stepped up and easily put the ball into the net. 

Sean Ferris then secured his hat trick, but the Hoops were found lacking when Curtis Crockard made the play and 

registered Ballysillan’s second goal of the game. 

However, Celtic striker Ferris was not finished yet and struck two further goals in the remaining ten minutes, making his tally for the season so far a notable 50 in the league. 

Celtic Bhoys: S Moore, C McCartan, M McKee, B Connolly, M Rice, J Curran, S Ferris, M Burns, C Kerr, S McMahon, J Gibney. 

Subs: P Brady, A Connolly, R Quinn.

Ballysillan Swifts: T Barkley, A Craig, A Rossborough, R Barrow, D Clarke, T Clarke, C Crockard, D Haddock, A McElnea, R Glover.