Mullingar Celtic suffer setback in title push

Mullingar Celtic 1 BBC United 2

Mullingar Celtic dropped points in the Division Two CCFL title race last Sunday morning, losing 2-1 to visitors BBC United in Raithín Community Pitch, Mullingar.

Celtic trailed Temple Villa at the top of the table by six points with two games in hand, this being one of them, and will surely see it as a missed opportunity, but in truth can’t argue too vigorously about the final result, with BBC United victorious after a strong second half.

It was the home side in green that had the best of the early exchanges on a cold Sunday morning in Mullingar and they had the lead after seven minutes. A ball from Rory Daly found Ian Keelan on the wing; he pulled the ball back to the penalty spot and Keith Hope smashed it to the net to give Mullingar Celtic the lead and a perfect start.

Keith Hope was at the heart of everything for Mullingar Celtic and he created a good chance on 20 minutes, releasing Ian Keelan, who raced through on goal; Ian’s effort struck the post, however.

Celtic were having the majority of the possession with a lot of their play going down the right wing and they looked the more likely to get the second goal of the game, but sport doesn’t always work out that way as they soon learned to their cost. A BBC corner from Evan Jones broke to the lively Sean Walsh; he crossed back into the box for BBC centre back Jonathan Greaves to head into the net to equalise.

The goal revitalised the away side and they went close again on 35 minutes: a great run from full-back Luke O’Connor produced a chance for Sean Walsh, who showed great skill on the end line before shooting narrowly wide.

Just before half-time, Mullingar Celtic had a chance to go back in front as Joe Doyle put in Ian Keelan through once more; his touch took him slightly wide and he forced a save from BBC keeper Josh O’Donoghue.

IMPROVED

In the first period Mullingar Celtic were the stronger, but in the second the narrative changed, as the visitors vastly improved. On the hour mark BBC’s threatening winger Ryan Grace went on a mazy run and shot narrowly wide before the away side took the lead minutes later.

A cross came into the box and the ball broke off Celtic 'keeper Bernard Glynn into the path of BBC’s Sean McRedmond, and he finished from close-range to put the away side ahead. With twenty minutes left, Celtic had a chance for an equaliser, Keith Hope’s header going narrowly over from a corner.

The majority of the second half possession was enjoyed by BBC, with Mullingar Celtic not feeding key player Keith Hope as much in the second period.

With the clock winding down, Celtic had one last chance of snatching a draw: Dylan Cannon’s corner broke to Dean Scully, but his left-footed shot was cleared off the line by BBC substitute Dylan Burrows.

Overall, a setback for Mullingar Celtic, but they still have a game in hand on league leaders Templevilla and will look to bounce back next time out.

Mullingar Celtic: Bernard Glynn, Gearoid Sheridan Shane Keena, Colm Baker, Colin Lynch, Joe Doyle, Ian Keelan, Johnny Mee, Mark Hickey, Keith Hope, Rory Daly. Mullingar substitutes: Dylan Cannon for Johnny Mee, Dean Scully for Colin Lynch, Glen Coffey for Rory Daly (70 mins) Cian Farrell for Gearoid Sheridan (75 mins).

BBC United: Josh O’Donughue, Luke O’Connor, Evan Jones, Ken Darby, Jonathan Greaves, Conor Clarke, Ryan Grace, Sean McRedmond, Oisin Butler, Sean Walsh, Josh Stynes Mullen. BBC United Substitutes: Conor Flynn for Ken Darby (58 mins), John Lyons for Evan Jones (58 mins), Dylan Burrows for Josh Stynes Mullen (72 mins), Adam Callaghan for Ryan Grace (81 mins).

Referee: Tony Ward.