Celtic Bhoys book Shield final spot

Celtic Bhoys book Shield final spot

26 March 2025

CELTIC Bhoys kept their double dreams alive as they edged past a resilient Greencastle Rovers side and booked their place in the final of the Junior Shield.

The Hoops are embroiled in a title fight with Division 2B rivals Newhill and while the league campaign could go down to the wire, they could already have their hands on silverware by then.

Captain Mikey Rice opened the scoring for the Bhoys in the first half, before striker Sean Ferris consolidated their leading position.

Mark Tutin pulled Rovers to within a goal late on and as Celtic found themselves under immense pressure in the closing stages, their defensive capabilities shone through.

The match got off to a fast-paced, end-to-end start and in the face of resolute defending, it became apparent that it was going to take something special for either side to find the net.

Celtic’s Jarlath Branagan came close to doing just after only seven minutes, meeting Corey McCartan’s pinpoint cross, smashing goalward on the half-volley and forcing goalkeeper Stephen Rea to exhibit quick reactions.

The Bhoys were not to be scuppered by the frustrating save, and they showed no signs of letting up on the attack.

A fine passing move saw them in receipt of a corner and when the ‘keeper punched clear, Ferris’ audacious volley drifted mere inches over the crossbar.

It quickly became evident that Greencastle were going to play counter-attacking football and although the Celtic defence were throwing everything at their crosses, they began to look dangerous.

Their first chance came after 13 minutes, with Terence McDonald surging forward and driving a shot towards the bottom corner.

His effort had ‘keeper Nathan Curran worried, but was always drifting and found its final destination to be wide of the mark.

McDonald was fast becoming the danger man and despite catching the Hoops’ defenders unawares and creeping in at the back post, he poked wide with only Curran to beat.

Celtic may have been under the cosh for a short period, but they showed no concern and quickly began to play back into their rhythm.

Jay Gibney almost pulled a goal from out of nothing, carving through defenders and calling Rea into action from the edge of the box.

It felt like it was only a matter of time before either side found a breakthrough, and it was the Bhoys that made their attacking endeavours count before half-time.

Conaill Kerr delivered one of the passes of the season from around the half-way line, switching the ball over the top and finding a perfectly timed run from captain Rice.

The centre-half could have convinced anyone he was a striker, smashing the ball off the bar on the half-volley and following in to lift the ball over the heads of Rea and a scrambling defender.

Rovers enjoyed a better start to the second half and although the Celtic defence stood firm, Mark Kelly was determined to match Kerr’s earlier assist.

With a clever disguised pass, he split the defence and fed Tutin through on goal, but Curran was alert and brave, throwing himself on the ball.

The Hoops took that as a wake-up call and used the lucky escape to their advantage, doubling their lead in the 64th minute.

Branagan won possession with an expert tackle and slipped a through-ball into the path of Ferris, who was too fast for Oran McKeown and too precise for Rea as he broke free and calmly slotted into the bottom corner.

The second goal may have felt like a relief for Shane Adair’s team, but it woke a sleeping giant in the Greencastle attack.

Captain Paul McAdorey’s free kick was always looking dangerous and while it found Kelly at the near post, the striker headed over the bar from close range.

The miss may have been disheartening for some, yet it only encouraged the Newtownabbey side and spurred them on towards reducing the deficit.

Tutin pulled away from his marker and with acres of space in the box, he met McAdorey’s free kick and headed in via the bar.

Celtic never showed any signs of crumbling after their opponents’ goal and after displaying dogged defending for over 10 minutes, the final whistle sent the players, management and supporters into raptures.

Celtic Bhoys will now face Division 2A St Mary’s in the Junior Shield final at Blanchfllower Stadium, with the date still to be confirmed.

Celtic Bhoys: N Curran, S Megahey, E Gargan, J Curran, M Rice (captain), J Gibney, C McCartan, G Collins, S Ferris, J Branagan, C Kerr.

Subs: C Groves, J McCoubrey, R Doran, N Morrison, N Teggart.

Greencastle Rovers: S Rea, D McIarnon, O McKeown, C McAuley, C McKeown, D Fitzsimons, M Tutin, P McAdorey (captain), M Kelly, T McDonald, J McHugh.

Subs: M Toland, J Byrne, C Sweetnam, D Moloney, K Moloney.