Match reports
16th May 2010: Ken McKay Cup Semi Final – Balbriggan 0 Swords Celtic 2
This was the third time these teams had met in Cup competitions this year with Celtic coming out on top for the third time. Swords played into a stiff breeze in the first half which suited their passing game and came close on a number of occasions. Balbriggan sat back and tried to play on the break. They left two dangerous forwards up front at all times who ere adept at holding up the ball for quick breaking midfielders. However Gilligan and Reilly were ever vigilant at the back. Eoin Shanahan continued his fine form of recent weeks and created plenty from the right, but the final pass just evaded him. The second half saw Swords increase the pressure but also look more vulnerable to the break. The breakthrough came with just 10 mins left. Awarded a free on the left hand touch line Daniel Brady moved over to take it. But spotting the Balbriggan keeper off his line he asked the ref could he take it quickly. The ref said yes and blew his whistle. Brady then executed a sublime chip / shot which was inch perfect and dipped in at the far post. With time running out Balbriggan had to commit men forward and Swords wrapped up the game when Dylan Buchanan slipped the ball through for Luke Maher to run on to and finish coolly to the net. So a second final awaits the Swords boys.
Man of the Match: Daniel Brady
9th May 2010: Ken McKay Cup Quarter Final – Swords Celtic 1 Rush 0 (aet)
With dreams of the League title fading Swords attention returned to Cup competitions in this Cup Quarter Final. As they had done in the recent league match, Rush played just one up front and packed the midfield. And they nearly got off to a dream start when with less than a minute played Brian Regan’s misplaced pass found the Rush centre forward in space and he hit a tremendous shot which came back off the crossbar. Shaken by this early scare Swords got into the game and created a number of chances of their own, only to find Conor in goal for Rush in inspired form. Swords upped the pace further in the second half and played the best football the management had seen from the team in a long time. However the full time whistle was blown with the game scoreless. Swords went in front early in extra time when Daniel Brady found space on the right hand side and played a lovely ball through for Dylan Buchanan to run on to and he finished expertly. Swords came close to doubling their lead soon after but Johnny Mackey’s shot came back off the cross bar.
Man of the Match: Conor Corrigan
6th May 2010: League –Ashbourne 2 - Swords Celtic 0
To have any hope of catching their rivals in the League Swords badly needed a victory against their cup final rivals. However it was not to be as Ashbourne, hurting after the weekend’s loss, fought harder in this game. Swords competed well and some observers thought that they actually played better football than on Saturday. However handicapped by the loss of their keeper to injury, which inspired Ashbourne to shoot on sight, Swords could not find the breakthrough. Daniel Brady showed very well and was at the heart of most of the constructive play in the goalless first half. Early in the second half Swords fell behind to a shot following a corner. The corner was only half cleared and fell invitingly to the Ashbourne left full who hit a beauty that gave Conor Corrigan in goal no chance. Swords fought hard to get back into the game but fell further behind when a speculative shot from Cormac Fagan deceived Corrigan and landed in the back of the net. Fagan was then shown a straight red card by the referee for his goal “celebration”. Swords dominated possession for the final 15 minutes but could not find a way through.
Man of the Match: Niall Gilligan
1st May 2010: Ita Farrell League Cup Final – Swords Celtic 4 –Ashbourne 2
Man of the Match: Luke Maher
29th April 2010: League – Darndale 1 Swords Celtic 1
Swords Celtic badly needed to win this midweek fixture to keep sight of Ashbourne and Balbriggan at the top of the table, but failed to do so in a low key game. Swords started very well and had a number of gilt edged chances to hit the front. The best chance came after 15 mins when a trade mark long throw from Ben Connolly again caught out the defence and Luke Maher saw his shot hit the crossbar. Swords lost their rhythm soon after when Sean Reilly suffered a nasty cut to his hand which resulted in a lengthy delay. When the game resumed Swords could not get going and fell behind late in the half to Darndale’s only chance. Swords tried to raise their game in the second half and dominated possession without troubling the Darndale keeper. Just as the game looked like it was heading for a home victory, Swords were awarded a free in the middle of the pitch. Niall Gilligan took it quickly to Brian Regan who was in space a few yards away. Rego advanced unchallenged and struck a wonderful shot to the top corner, taking everyone by surprise, probably himself included. The ball didn’t bend, curve, swing or dip – it was straight as an arrow and meant that the Swords boys went into Sunday’s cup final on a high.
Man of the Match: Brian Regan
25th April 2010: Ita Farrell League Cup Semi Final – Swords Celtic 2 Balscadden Boys 1
Super sub Jack Hargan scored twice in the last 10 minutes to guide his team into the final of the Ita Farrell League Cup. Swords would have been favourites to advance at the expense of their opponents form the A division, but there was no apparent difference in quality between the tow sides. Both sides had chances in the first half. First to show were Balscadden, who worked a shooting chance for their centre forward. The shot appeared to have goal written all over it until Ryan Quinlan pulled off a superb save to tip the ball over. Swords best chance fell to Dylan Buchanan from a corner. The otherwise excellent Balscadden keeper let a corner slip through his grasp. This took Buchanan by surprise but he still got a boot to the falling ball and looked to have scored but a defender somehow got his body in the way to keep it out. In the second half Swords had a triple chance to take the lead when first a shot was blocked, the rebound fell to Johnny who thumped his effort off the post and the rebound was brilliantly saved. With Swords starting to gain the upper hand they fell behind when a corner wasn’t cleared and the Balscadden centre forward’s shot beat Quinlan on the near post. This was the cue for Hargan to join the match and leave his mark. Swords didn’t panic and kept applying the pressure. They were awarded a free kick to the rigt of the box following a dangerous tackle on Buchanan. Being in the perfect position for a left footer Hargan stood up and blasted his shot to the top corner. It was all Swords now and they found a winner with 5 minutes left. Evan Duffy played a one two with Dan Brady and put Ben Connolly into space down the left. His cross into the box was met by Hargan’s head from around the penalty spot who glanced his header into the net at the back post. Swords relief was obvious and managed to hold onto the lead. They now play Ashbourne in the final.
Man of the Match: Jack Hargan
22nd April 2010: League – Kilbarrack 0 - Swords Celtic 3
Swords Celtic Under 16s got back to winning ways with a hard fought victory over Kilbarrack. The recent pattern of low-key first half performances was repeated when both sides failed to get to grips with a bone dry pitch where the ball was bouncing all over the place and the first touch had to be spot on. Having dominated possession Swords almost fell behind towards the end of the half when a cross from the left was touched the wrong side of the post. Swords got the break they needed early in the second half when they were awarded their first penalty of the season when the Kilbarrack centre half misjudged a bouncing ball and controlled it with his arm. Niall Gilligan put the resulting penalty away. Swords doubled their lead soon after when Jack Hargan met a long throw from Ben Connolly, which took Kilbarrack completely by surprise, at the back post and headed home. With memories of failing to hold a recent 2 – 0 lead still fresh in the minds, Swords pushed on and secured the win with a third goal. Jack Hargan controlled a through ball in the box and laid off neatly for Johnny Mackey to finish.
Man of the Match: Jack Hargan
15th April 2010: League – Swords Celtic 2 – Malahide 2
Swords Celtic U16s produced an improved display but still could not get back into the winning habit. In an even first half Malahide went ahead when from a free kick on the right hand side, a cross was flicked to the net by the unmarked Malahide forward. At this stage Swords were struggling for their form and leaked a second goal just on half time in very similar fashion. This time from open play a cross from a similar area again found an unmarked forward with an easy task to head home. With some reorganisation at half time the Swords players found their pride and went on the attack from the start in the second half. A couple of chances were squandered before Swords got back into the game with possibly the best goal this team has ever scored. Daniel Brady received a throw in to feet just inside the Malahide half on the left wing. He turned away from his marker and beat two more players on the left wing before cutting back onto his right foot. Looking up he spotted Eoin Shanahan coming in from the right and fired a perfect cross in his direction. Without breaking stride Shanahan met the ball on the volley from just outside the D and the shot crashed into the goal off the under side of the crossbar. What a goal! Boosted by this Swords were now in full flow and equalised with 10 minutes left when Luke Maher flicked a through ball over the Malahide goalkeeper. Swords thought they might have had a penalty late on to win the game but were denied the win their comeback deserved.
Man of the Match: Dylan Buchanan
13th April 2010: League – Swords Celtic 0 – Rush 0
Swords Celtic attempted to exorcise the ghosts of last Saturday’s defeat with a league match against Rush on the new Pitch No. 1 in Balheary. Because of the backlog of league games the League had asked that where possible teams play for 6 points and this was reluctantly agreed by both camps. However the fair on offer was not worthy of the added importance of the match. Rush set their stall out to defend in numbers and were very well organised. In a game of few chances Rush had the best two opportunities when they stretched the committed Swords defence, but were unable to finish. The game finished goalless.
Man of the Match: Evan Duffy
10th April 2010: SFAI Cup Round of last 16 – Waterford Bohemians 4 Swords Celtic 3
Swords Celtic’s dreams of All Ireland glory came crashing down to earth in heartbreaking fashion last Saturday in Waterford. In what was described by all associated with the team as one of the most intense encounters they had ever been involved with, Swords lost out to a winning goal in the 2nd half of extra time, having been 2 – 0 up with only 8 minutes left in normal time. In a very even and hard fought first half both teams played with a commitment and physicality rarely seen at this level. Bohs had a number of half chances that were snuffed out by Ryan Quinlan. Swords had the best chance of the 1st half but Bohemians keeper Dylan Power made a top class save to keep out a stunning effort from Johnny Mackey, who latched onto a pass from Daniel Brady. Swords went in front early in the 2nd half when the persistence of Mackey paid off. Receiving a pass from Dillin Corbett he switched onto his right foot and shot from just outside the box. The initial strike was blocked but the ball rebounded invitingly to him and his second shot arrowed into the bottom left corner of the net. Swords didn’t ease off the pressure and scored a second five minutes later. This time Brady picked out Corbett drifting off his marker and played him in on goal where he rounded the stranded keeper finished clinically. This was the cue for an all out assault on the Swords goal by Bohs, but this was handled with relative ease by a wonderful defensive effort. In fact Bohs didn’t create a clear chance until they got a fortunate break when a tame looking shot took a wicked deflection and wrong footed everyone to find the net. Bohs had looked dead and buried up to this point but the goal gave them renewed belief. Again Swords defended comfortably until disaster struck in the 3rd minute of injury time. With Swords on the attack a rushed clearance from a Bohs defender carried all the way, bounced in front of the Swords box, cleared the head of Quinlan who could not stop it finding the net. The final whistle blew immediately on the restart. A shell shocked Swords struggled to find any rhythm in extra time and Bohs took the lead for the first time following another disaster. James Cronin, just on the field in extra time, was shepherding the ball back to Quinlan when there appeared to be no danger. But unfortunately he slipped and left the Bohs centre forward in the clear and he had an easy task to put his side ahead. Swords now rallied themselves and found an equaliser before half time when Eoin Shanahan won a race to the ball on the right hand side, went to the endline and put in a marvellous cross for Corbett to bravely head in at the far post. The only question now was who had the most energy left in the tank. Unfortunately it was Bohs, who found a winner with 5 minutes left. A corner to the back post was headed across goal and poked in to send the home side through to the quarter finals. A wonderful match for all present but a heartbreaking outcome for all who made the journey from Swords.
Man of the Match: Johnny Mackey
28th March 2010: SFAI Cup Round of last 3 – Swords Celtic 4 Clerihan 0
Swords Celtic progressed to the last 16 in the SFAI Cup in what ultimately proved to be a comfortable victory over their south Tipperary opponents. Playing with the breeze in the first half Swords found their passing rhythm. Dylan Buchanan was a very effective shield in front of the back four and won plenty of possession for the home side. Daniel Brady was again excellent linking defence with attack and was ably assisted by Ben Connolly and Evan Duffy, causing problems for the visitors down the left. Eoin Shanahan was also a handful on the right wing, using the open spaces on the wide pitch to create chances for himself and his team mates. The first goal came from a corner after 20 mins. Brady and Connolly worked an angle for a cross that the Clerihan keeper failed to deal with and Brian Regan was on hand to finish to the net. The second followed five minutes later and underscored the passing philosophy of the Swords side. Duffy took the ball forward on the left flank before an interchange between Brady and Dillin Corbett saw the ball switched to Shanahan on the right, who beat the full back and played a treat of a cross in front of Johnny Mackey who finished well. Clerihan then had their best chance of the game when their centre forward broke free to the left of the Swords box and fell under a tackle from Sean Reilly. Amidst claims for a penalty, the ref deemed the offence to have taken place outside the box. The resulting free kick saw the ball cannon off the foot of the near post. The resulting loose ball was quickly swept downfield and Shanahan found space to shoot but saw his strike come back off the Clerihan post from a difficult angle. Clerihan pressed hard to get back into the game early in the second half but the Swords defence, well marshalled by centre backs Brian Regan and Niall Gilligan, held its nerve. Swords put the game beyond their opponents when Shanahan again reached the end line and put a lovely cross on the head of Corbett who finished easily. Swords fourth came late in the game when Jack Hargan finished off a neat flick pass from Mackey. Swords now travel to Waterford to play their old friends Bohemians for a place in the last eight.
Man of the Match: Dylan Buchanan
21st March 2010: League – Balbriggan 2 Swords Celtic 1
Swords Celtic U16s suffered their first defeat of the season when losing to a strong and well motivated Balbriggan. Four of Swords’ key players had lined out the previous day for the NDSL in inter-league competition against Wexford and that game took its toll as inspirational midfielder Daniel Brady and left winger Dillin Cornett were unable to take their places. Balbriggan took the game to Swords and set up a number of early chances that were not taken. Swords took an undeserved lead after 20 mins when captain Niall Gilligan scored with a header from a corner. Swords performance levels grew with the confidence brought by the goal but were unable to capitalise on a number of chances. They were undone in a five minute spell just after the break. Ciaran Gill of Balbriggan looked suspiciously offside when collecting a pass but finished very well to equalise. Balbriggan hit the front when a quick throw in resulted in a near post cross that found the centre forward unmarked to head home the winning goal. Swords pressed forward but couldn’t find an equaliser of their own. In injury time Ben Connolly met a far post cross from Adam Hughes and thought he had scored only for the Balbriggan keeper to pull off the save of the game. Ah well, you can’t win them all.
Man of the Match: Niall Gilligan
7th March 2010: Ken McKay Cup 2nd Round – Swords Celtic 4 Marino 1
Swords Celtic progressed to the quarter finals of the U16 Ken McKay Cup after a hard fought victory over their 16 Premier League rivals in Balheary. Suffering the after-effects of a highly competitive friendly against the NDSL on Fri night, Swords went into the game with only 12 players and without the services of Niall Gilligan and Eoin Shanahan who were away skiing, and Ben Connolly, Brian Regan and Conor Corrigan who are all injured. Marino had a stiff breeze at their back for the first half and started the stronger. Very competitive in midfield and with two pacey forwards they strung a couple of dangerous moves together that had the new look Swords defence working hard. But they were up to the task and Sean Reilly in particular was immense. With 20 mins on the clock, Dylan Buchanan, just two weeks into his comeback from an ankle injury, shipped another heavy knock on the same ankle and had to leave the game. This saw the introduction of Jack Hargan and a reshuffle that necessitated the move of Dillin Corbett from the attack to a left wing berth. The changes did Swords no harm and they went in front after 30 mins when Corbett took on the right full and centre back, found some space and shot low to the corner of the net. This settled the nerves for Swords who kept their lead until half time. Swords doubled their lead early in the 2nd half when Corbett again beat the full back and put a beauty of a cross on the head of Hargan who finished easily. Hargan returned the compliment shortly after when he controlled a long clearance from keeper Quinlan and played the ball into Corbett’s path who raced clear to score the third. Swords were in complete control at this stage and got a fourth when Johnny Mackey found room in the box and buried his chance to score his 7th goal in five competitive matches since Christmas. Marino competed till the end and got a deserved consolation when a left wing cross was finished very well by their right midfielder.
Man of the Match: Sean Reilly
28th February 2010: Ita Farrell Cup Quarter Final – Lusk Utd 0 - Swords Celtic 5
Swords Celtic eased into the semi final of the league cup in what was an unsatisfactory performance all round. Having been in great goal scoring form in all competitions since the New Year, Swords scored early through Johnny Mackey, but could not build on their lead in the 1st half. In fact a competitive Lusk outfit could have gone in ahead at the break if it weren’t for the cross bar, an outstanding save from Ryan Quinlan and Evan Duffy stretching to take a goal bound shot off the line. After a half time rollicking and a couple of personnel changes Swords upped the pace in the 2nd half. Mackey got a second and Luke Maher a third to put Swords in the clear. Dillin Corbett and James Cronin, with a delightful lob, finished the scoring in a low key performance.
Man of the Match: Johnny Mackey
14th February 2010: SFAI Cup Round of last 36 –Walshestown 0 Swords Celtic 7
Another away draw in the SFAI Cup saw the Swords Celtic U16s ease into the last 32 of the national cup competition for the second season running. The trip to County Louth resulted in a further 7 goals to add to the 11 scored in two games since Christmas. Our Dundalk League opponents started strongly and exerted initial pressure that was dealt with efficiently by the Swords defence. Then, as in the previous round, an early goal settled Swords down. A Dillin Corbett pass put Eoin Shanahan through on the right and he fired into the bottom corner. Swords dominated possession for most of the period with Daniel Brady showing up all over the pitch and linking play brilliantly. However chances weren’t taken until the 30 minute mark when Luke Maher powered home a header from a corner. The 3rd goal followed before half time when Johnny Mackey finished a flowing move. Walshestown threatened at the start of the second half and Swords have Ryan Quinlan to thank for keeping them out with two excellent saves. However Swords got back on track with two quick strikes from Dillin Corbett, the second following a well rehearsed corner routine. This enabled Swords to empty the bench and two late strikes from Jack Hargan finished the scoring.
Man of the Match: Daniel Brady
31st January2010: SFAI Cup 3rd Round – Balbriggan 1 Swords Celtic 6
This was a tough draw considering Balbriggan had finished a close second to us in the league last year. It proved to be a very controversial and attritional game which depended on a very strong referee not to descend into something nasty. Swords started very well and got an early goal when Ben Connolly headed in a right wing cross from Eoin Shanahan. This resulted in Balbriggan upping the stakes and they launched themselves into some very strong tackles. Celtic got a second in the 20th minute following a well worked corner which was not cleared and finished expertly by Greg Barron. Shortly after this Balbriggan were reduced to 10 men following a bad tackle on Niall Gilligan. Swords kept their heads and continued to play football resulting in a fine third, finished by Johnny Mackey. After the break while Balbriggan continued with their tactics Swords added to the scoreline with goals from Mackey again and Shanahan. Balbriggan got one back before they were reduced to 9 for another dangerous tackle on Gilligan. Jack Hargan provided the finishing touch with another screamer from all of 3 feet. For the second week in a row we then had a player sent off when Connolly harshly saw red for a tackle. So the team move forward to the SFAI Cup last 36 open draw section where we are paired with Walshestown from the Dundalk league.
Man of the Match: Luke Maher
24th January 2010: Ken McKay Cup 1st Round – Swords Celtic 5 Clontarf A 1
Thirteen weeks since our last fixture and the New Year starts with a difficult 1st round cup tie against a Clontarf side who have boasted a 100% record so far this year, and who, despite being relegated last season, had proved to be very difficult opponents. Clontarf started the better as Swords’ rustiness lead to a flurry of mis-hit passes and mis-kicked defensive clearances. They took the lead after 20 mins when a defensive header went the wrong direction and landed at the feet of the Clontarf centre forward who only had the keeper to beat. This spurred Swords into action and the passes started connecting. A number of good chances were made but not taken before Johnny Mackey pounced on a through ball and scored the equaliser. But Clontarf were not finished and two excellent saves from Ryan Quinlan kept us in it. Then just on half time Clontarf won a penalty following a rash tackle, but fortunately for Celtic they put the spot kick well over the bar. The 2nd half told a completely different story. Swords dominated from the start and took the lead when Jack Hargan found the net with another stunning long range effort. Eoin Shanahan added a third before Luke Maher and James Cronin completed the scoring. A good 2nd half performance was spoiled when Evan Duffy was controversially sent off late in the game. He became involved in a scuffle with a Clontarf player but strangely the ref only saw fit to yellow card the opponent while Evan saw red.
Man of the Match: Ryan Quinlan
29th December 2009: Patricia McKiernan Christmas Tournament
The U16s took a break from the turkey and Christmas pudding to blow away the cobwebs and take their place in this annual tournament. It is organised over the Christmas break each year by Michael McKiernan and this is the seventh year it has been run. Its always a good day out and the standard of teams competing has grown each year. This year due to the weather conditions only 6 teams competed but great credit goes to Michael and the Dunboyne FC club for ensuring that it went ahead.
Swords Celtic kicked the day off with a tough tie against Trim Celtic U17s. Considering the long break since the last game the team played we made a great start. We played some excellent passing football before eventually taking the lead via an own goal. Pressure from Dillin Corbett down the left lead to a very dangerous cross that was turned into the net by a retreating defender. Swords kept up the pressure in the 2nd half and goals from Corbett and Jack Hargan gave us our first victory of the day.
Next up were Shelbourne, currently sitting in 2nd place in the DDSL 16 Premier Division. Possibly feeling a little intimidated by their much vaunted opponents Swords fell back and allowed Shels to dominate possession in the first half. However we defended really well as a team and didn’t look like conceding. Following a good half time talk where the lads were encouraged to show more confidence we got into the game and started creating chances. The winner came 10 mins from the end when Jack Hargan took a pass in his stride, advanced towards the Shels penalty area and found the top corner from 25 yards.
The 1 – 0 win meant we had won our group and qualified for the final. Our opponents in the final were Cherry Orchard, also from the DDSL 16 Premier, who had seen off Dunboyne’s U17s and the NDSL U15 Academy team. Swords were much more confident facing into this match. They competed well from the off and took the game to Cherry Orchard. However the breakthrough didn’t come until the 2nd half. That man again Jack Hargan picked up the ball in an advanced position on the right touchline. He cut inside and with two teammates in great positions and shouting for a pass he went himself and let fly with a great left foot shot which gave their keeper no chance. They came at us after that and it took a wonderful save from our keeper to keep us ahead. However we continued to make chances and wrapped it up when Daniel Brady cut in from the left and beat the keeper with a beauty of a chip.
This was the 5th year we had taken part in the tournament and the first time we had won it. So, many thanks to the organisers, Michael and Dunboyne FC, and to Dermot and the parents who gave up their day for coming out to coach, transport and support. And most of all congratulations to all the players. The first but hopefully not the last trophy of the season safely in the bag.
20th November 2009: Dylan Buchanan Called Into Irish U17 Squad
We learned this evening that Dylan’s brilliant performances this season have come to the attention of the international squad management, and he has been called up for training with the squad. Well done Dylan and best of luck.
15th November 2009: SFAI Inter-League – NEC 0 NDSL 2
No league match for the team this week as 5 of our players were chosen for the match day squad to represent the NDSL in their first match of the season in Navan. Niall Gilligan started at right back, Daniel Brady on the right of midfield and Dylan Buchanan up front. Dillin Corbett was introduced after 20 minutes and when Ben Connolly was brought on early in the 2nd half, there were 5 Swords Celtic players on the pitch. The match was hard fought and only won at the end. Going into injury time with the game scoreless the NDSL won a corner. The ball broke to Ben Connolly lurking at the edge of the box and he buried a tremendous shot to send the large travelling contingent into raptures. From the restart NEC went for broke but were undone when Dylan Buchanan won a tackle on the halfway line and had a clear run in on goal. He finished brilliantly to put the game beyond NEC. Never in doubt. So two goals for Swords Celtic players as the NDSL start their campaign with a win.
25th October 2009: Ita Farrell League Cup –Swords Celtic 1 Balbriggan 0
Another very good performance from Swords Celtic saw them advance to the last 8 in the league cup. Both teams had identical records coming into the final round robin match so it was winner takes all on the day. Swords dominated most of the possession but made very few chances. The chances that came were dealt with very well by the Balbriggan keeper. Swords passed the ball very well on a lovely surface, but had to wait until late on to find a winner. The excellent Dylan Buchanan won a tackle on the right of midfield and used his power and pace to run at the heart of the Balbriggan defence. Rounding the centre half he produced a finish from the top drawer to put Swords through.
Man of the match: Daniel Brady
18th October: SFAI Cup 2nd Round –Kells / Blackwater 0 Swords Celtic 5
This looked like being a very tough away day in the SFAI Cup. Kells had beaten the league leaders and NEC double holders Kentstown the previous week and were in great form. From the start Swords went on the attack and the Kells lads played a curious counter attacking formation. On a very big pitch Swords had a lot of the ball and committed players forward, but were subject to very swift counter attacks by Kells. In fact Kells had the first real opportunity from one such counter but this was thwarted by a wonderful save by Ryan Quinlan. In that move the Kells player, who had looked very dangerous, was hurt and had to be replaced. Swords went in front midway through the first half when Dillin Corbett picked up a through ball from Niall Gilligan and finished neatly. The lead was doubled before half time when Luke Maher was put through by Corbett. Brian Regan scored the third early in the 2nd half from a well worked corner routine. Kells were then reduced to 10 men when their centre forward jumped with Quinlan and flicked the ball goalwards with his hand. It was his second booking and he had to go. Corbett got a second before Jack Hargan finished off the match with a very sweet left foot shot that flew into the top corner from a distance. Shortly after the 5th goal was scored, Kells were reduced to 9 players when they picked up another injury, causing the referee to finish the game 10 minutes early.
Man of the match: Luke Maher
11th October: League –Swords Celtic 2 St Columbans 1
This game proved to be the toughest so far this season. The two teams know each other very well having played three times in the final month of last season, including the Cup Final. Swords played well and were on top for much of the match without much reward. The breakthrough came early in the 2nd half when following a corner; the ball fell at the feet of Niall Gilligan who thumped a left foot screamer to the roof of the net. This should have settled things down but we were pegged back from another corner – by us. Again Gilligan had a goal chance but this time it was blocked and the ball cleared downfield. Swords had left only one back but the Columbans forward picked up the clearance, glided past the defender and scored with a tremendous lob that beat the keeper from about 30 metres. However Swords had the last say when Dylan Buchanan scored with a header glanced in from a left wing cross.
Man of the match: Niall Gilligan
4th October: SFAI Cup 1st Round –Swords Celtic 5 Quay Celtic (Dundalk) 0
After last year’s heroics in this competition we got what appeared a tough draw. However in lovely conditions in Balheary Swords put on a show and made smooth progress to the 2nd round. Five different scorers and a clean sheet meant everyone went home happy. Swords took 25 minutes to open the scoring. A wonderful move involving five different Swords players resulted in the Quay keeper making a breathtaking save from Dylan Buchanan. However the hurried clearance only found Evan Duffy advanced from his left back position and he struck a fine shot from 25 yards which flew home. Minutes later and Swords were in total control when Ben Connolly struck a rocket from just inside the box. Swords dominated the 2nd half and added further goals from Sean Reilly, Dylan Buchanan and Luke Maher.
Man of the match: Evan Duffy
27th September 2009: League – Castleknock Celtic 2 Swords Celtic 2
In their first league game of the season and for the second week in a row, Swords needed a late equaliser to save a point. This time we were reasonably happy with our overall performance, but still feel we need to tighten up at the back. Swords thought they had taken the lead through Sean Reilly in the 10th minute when he finished following a scramble in the Castleknock area. However the ref ruled it out indicating a hand ball that no one else saw. Swords then fell behind to a bizarre goal having been on the attack. A hacked clearance by Castleknock looked headed for the touchline on halfway when the ball caught some very long grass and changed direction. James Cronin had been watching the ball and slowed as he contemplated a throw in. However the Castleknock left winger kept it in and raced towards goal. He looked like he had played it too far ahead of him but unfortunately Ryan Quinlan in goal slipped before he got to the ball and the winger scored. Celtic had been on top and pressed very hard for an equaliser. It came just before the break when Luke Maher met a free kick from the right with a powerful header. The game was even enough in the second half but events again conspired against Swords. A harmless enough punt forward from Castleknock saw both Cronin and Quinlan hesitate and allow a Castleknock forward in between them. To the amazement of all at the match the ref failed to spot that the Castleknock player used his hand to flick the ball past the keeper before putting the ball in the net. With that injustice spurring them on Swords gained their equaliser at the death when Niall Gilligan rose highest at a corner and beat the keeper with a text book header.
Man of the match: James Cronin
20th September 2009: Ita Farrell League Cup –Swords Celtic 3 Malahide 3
In the second round robin match of the preliminary stages of the league cup, Celtic needed a late equaliser to keep their qualifying campaign on track. Playing their first home game in new colours we got off to a bad start with poor defending from a free kick. Malahide swung in a difficult free kick from the right touch line which evaded everyone but was met on the far post and tucked away nicely. It took Celtic some time to respond but they eventually kicked into gear when first Eoin Shanahan pounced on a lovely through ball from Daniel Brady to finish well from the right of the box, and then Dillin Corbett nodded home a lovely cross from the same player. Early in the 2nd half a defensive mix-up allowed Malahide to equalise. With 10 minutes remaining Malahide regained the lead from another set piece. From a similar place as their first goal, another free kick found its way across the face of the Swords goal to be put in at the far post. However Celtic didn’t panic and equalised late on when Dylan Buchan won a ball on the left touchline and curled a fine shot past the Malahide keeper from the left hand corner of the box. Indeed Celtic were unlucky not to find a winner when the Malahide keeper produced an excellent save to thwart Buchanan very late in the game.
Man of the match: Eoin Shanahan
6th September 2009: Ita Farrell League Cup – Rush Athletic 0 Swords Celtic 7
This was the team’s first game in new colours and we got off to a fantastic start. The conditions were very poor considering how early in the season it is. In heavy rain and with the wind behind us, Celtic adapted very quickly to the conditions. Dillin Corbett picked up a pass on the left touch line, beat his marker before cutting inside and placing a shot past the Rush keeper. Before 10 mins on the clock Celtic were 2 – 0 up following Dylan Buchanan’s first goal for the team. Three further goals from Corbett, Evan Duffy and Luke Maher made it a comfortable 5 – 0 at half time. Rush enjoyed more of the play after the break when they had the elements behind them. However Celtic continued to make chances and Dylan Buchanan completed a hat trick with two fine finishes on what is his competitive debut for the team.
Man of the match: Dylan Buchanan
