Swords Celtic v Portmarnock - 22nd April 2009
Close encounters of an Unwanted Kind"
Swords Celtic 1 - 1 Portmarnock
Honours even in a hard fought game on weds evening in Swords.
Both sides were committed from the whistle with every tackle as hard as your likely to get at under 8 level.
Nonetheless there wasn't a bad one in the game. Swords hoping for three points in their chase for the
league title pushed hard from the start even though a defeat would not have been the end of their hopes.
Resolute defending from the away side thwarted the home-sides endeavours with Aaron Duffy unlucky a
few times. Playing with the breeze Swords overhit the ball too often, ending up harmlessly wide and so level at the
break 0-0.
With the wind at their backs Portmarnock started to prove a handful and Daniel Grace in the Swords goal
had to be at his best several times.
The breakthrough came when Portmarnock were awarded a freekick [boo] halfway between the penalty box
and the halfway line.
The kick was struck superbly into the top left corner beating the keepers best attempt to save.
With just 8 mins on the watch Swords stepped it up a gear in search of an equaliser forcing the away team onto the
backfoot leaving just one at the back to mind the house and were rewarded when Paul Roche volleyed home to the roof
of the net.
A nervous last couple of minutes was played out by two teams who didn't deserve to loose and didn't just do
enough to win either.
And so the Swords dream lives on with two games left just a point behind and every chance.
Next stop home to St. Joseph's on Sunday at 10.30. Best of Luck to all.
Swords Celtic v Raheny - 19th April 2009
On a beautiful sunny morning just across from the seafront in St. Anne's Park, Swords continued their quest for league
honours with a comprehensive three nil win over a game Raheny side.
Carl Stanley scored the first and third with Paul Roche netting in between.
Swords took control from the kick off with Conor Murtagh driving from midfield and Aaron Duffy and Kevin Healy maintaining
their "Acess Denied" rule at the back giving the competent Daniel Grace in goal an easy ride.
As a result Carl Stanley and Jamie Condon had the freedom to push forward on the wings with the speedy Paul Roche giving
the home defence a torrid time.
The first goal came from a cross by Jamie Condon and was headed home by Carl Stanley.
The second scored by Paul Roche when he pounced on a loose ball in the box and coolly shot past the keeper into the corner.
Sam Nugent Byrne, Sean Carroll and Aaron Lalor were sent on and continued the attack minded attitude of this vibrant
Swords side to take the 2 nil advantage to the break.
The second half was similar and Carl Stanleys raids on the right were rewarded when he scored the third picking up the ball
a little way out, running through and striking well from just inside the box.
Carl Stanley took over in goal to give Daniel Grace a long awaited run outfield and brought off two fine saves .
Another fine win with many notable performances but a special word for Aaron and Kevin at the back -well done guys.
3 games left and still on course.
Swords Celtic v Home Farm - 29th March 2009
With Jamie Condon sick and Carl Stanley injured, Swords made the trip to Whitehall to take on Home Farm.
Playing against a stiff breeze they carried the game to the home side and reached the break level at 0-0.
Both sides had chances to score, the home side relying on long balls with the wind and the away team
playing clever and intelligent football with neat passing and good movement.
Swords had the advantage of the breeze in the second half but Home Farm still were still defending stoutly.
Aaron Duffy and Kevin Healy were playing superbly at the back and pushing forward at every opportunity.
Conor Murtagh was running the show in midfield. Paul Roche, Brandon Caffrey and Sam Nugent Byne were
sharing wing duties. Aaron Lalor and Sean Carroll were able deputies any time they were called on.
Kevin Healy picked up a ball in midfield and carried it forward beating two or three on his way and with one last touch
set himself up nicely for a shot on goal and a low hard drive too hot for the keeper to handle put us 1-0 up.
Swords piled it on from here on in and forced several corners eventually making 2-0 from a Sam Nugent Byrne
corner which Paul Roche pounced on to touch home from close range.
Once again Daniel Grace in goal gave a solid display of safe handling and good kicking and made good saves look comfortable.
A super win that keeps Swords on track for league honours. Well done all not forgetting the support on the line -keep it up.
Swords Celtic v Rangers AFC 22nd March 2009
Swords welcomed Rangers from the southside in a must win encounter.
The decision to move Aaron Duffy from defence to midfield paid dividends with immediate effect.
Winning all the ball led to a series of early attacks and the opener came soon from a corner
taken by Sam Nugent Byrne and flicked in from the head of Jamie Condon.
Never letting the
opposition settle Swords powered on and a brilliant solo run by Aaron Duffy gave them a two goal
lead when he finished with a well drilled shot hard and low into the far corner.
Paul Roche was brought
on [welcome back after injury] and his pace and ability to carry the ball was a constant danger.
Carl Stanley entered the fray and pounced on a loose bouncing ball to volley it into the top left corner
to make it 3-0.
With the breeze behind them in the 2nd half Rangers pushed forward and scored at the near post
from a corner to pull it back to 3-1.
Swords settled and strong performances from Conor Murtagh, Kevin Healy and Brandon Caffrey kept
Rangers at bay. Daniel Grace in the Swords goal dealt calmly with all he had to do.
Sean Carroll and Aaron Lalor contributed well and both had a hand in the fourth goal when a five man
move ended with Sean Carroll tapping in a Carl Stanley shot that was destined for the net.
Everyone went home happy and it was a good start to Mothers Day for all the Happy Mammies.
Swords Celtic v St.Joseph's - 15th March 2009
A match that was always going to be tough Swords went down 3-1 on a lovely day for football to St. Joseph's.
Swords opened brightly from the whistle creating many chances with strong attacking play.
Midway thru' the first half we conceded a free kick on the left just outside the penalty area.
A well struck kick by their no.8 found the far top corner to put them one up against the run of play.
Swords continued to press forcing corners and saves from their keeper with Sam Nugent Byrne going close twice.
Just before half-time Joseph's broke from defence down their right and their winger crossed the ball to his unmarked team-mate
who scored from close range at the near post to make it 2-0 at the break.
The second half was similar to the first with Swords pressing hard in search of a well deserved goal.
Swords keeper Daniel Grace took off a great save diving full length to push the ball out for a corner.
Halfway into the 2nd half a ball bouncing on the by-line to the right of the goal among players from both sides
was somehow met by the boot of a St. Joseph's player and what looked like an overhead lob found its way into the Swords net
from the most obscure of angles.
Not to be denied, the away team battled on for that elusive goal, a clearance from defence found Aaron Lalor just over the halfway line
who slid it to Sean Carroll whose neatly threaded pass was picked up by Sam Nugent Byrne and his low hard drive gave the keeper no chance.
A game display with three players out injured and with a super effort by Aaron Duffy - a treat for all to watch.
Swords Celtic v Raheny - 8th March 2009
On a cold and windy Sunday morning both teams served up an entertaining game of football.
Swords were always a bit stronger than a resilient Raheny side. Conor Murtagh, Aaron Duffy and Kevin Healy
gave nothing away winning tackle after tackle and making life comfortable for Daniel Grace in goal whose distribution
from kick-outs set up attack after attack.
Once again Jamie Condon was inspirational setting up the opener with a lovely corner
which Sam Nugent Byrne headed home from close range to lead at the interval against a stiff breeze.
With the breeze at their backs Swords went up a gear and Jamie scored the second with skill and composure.
The third came from another corner taken by Conor Murtagh. With players from both teams going for the ball
the goal was claimed by Sean Carroll.
Aaron Lalor and Sean Carroll went close several times and Carl Stanley
hit the post with a good strike. Brandon Caffrey added guile and strenght to a hard working midfield.
Overall another good performance, and with just one goal conceded in three games we should be hard to beat.
Keep up the good work.
Swords Celtic v Portmarnock Sunday 1st March 2009
Sunday 1st March away to Portmarnock on a bright and breezy day we got off to a flyer with a series of good attacks.
A thru' ball found Carl Stanley who cleverly passed it out to the wing to Jamie Condon who carried it to the by line and cut in towards goal.
After some neat foot work and with good support in the box he switched the ball to his right foot and tucked into the far corner of the net.
1 nil up and playing well a cracking shot from Sam Nugent Byrne destined for the top corner was superbly saved by their keeper and so
we stayed one ahead at halftime.
In the second half they came at us a bit, but great work by Aaron Duffy and Kevin Healy in defence kept them at bay.
Midway thru' they equalised from the penalty spot. Shortly afterwards a lively Brandon Caffrey was brought down by their keeper.
A well struck penalty by Jamie went narrowly wide. We pushed hard for a winner and forced at least a half dozen corners.
With the ball in the net once again and a confused referee it was ruled out as it had gone thru' the side netting.
Once again a good performance all round. A big thanks to Paul Roache although injured came along to support his team-mates.
Swords Celtic v Home Farm - Sunday 22nd February 2009
A great start to Feb/May 2009 league season for U/8A DDSL team with a 2 nil win over Home Farm.
Jamie Condon gave Celtic the lead scoring from close range and Aaron Duffy made it 2 with a long shot from almost the half way line.
A great performance all round with Daniel Grace putting in another
consistent display in goal.
Well done to all and keep up the hard work. Thanks to great support on the line, always encouraging, especially our cheerleaders.
Next match away to Portmarnock watch this space for the match report.
Thanks Paul. |
