UNDER 12 DEVT: STRAND CELTIC GREENS 1 STRAND CELTIC WHITES 1
Strandhill Community park

It was derby day at strandhill community park on Saturday morning last in the first ever derby game within strand celtic football club. Honors were even between the two teams on the day which was a fair outcome from a good game.

Strand Celtic Greens and Strand Celtic Whites fought out a thoroughly entertaining draw in their penultimate league game of the season. Strand Celtic whites are still in the running for top spot while their rivals are nicely placed at the top of the league so apart from local pride there was plenty at stake.

Both Strand squads consisting of 35 players in total between both squads contested this absorbing tie. A cool sunny morning saw a good crowd turn out to witness this highly anticipated match with a good atmosphere in the park.

With both sets of players very familiar with others strengths and weaknesses, the game inevitably evolved into a tough midfield tussle. In the green corner were the more experienced and older players Liam MCElhinney and Oisin Cogan. On the white side there was the younger but equally competitive Shay Doherty and Shane MCCallion. The centrefield battle was even over the hour with both sides dominating in spells.

Fifteen minuites into the game Aaron O`Boyle managed to break the deadlock when his skillfull first touch created room that enabled him to shoot high into the top corner.The whites responded well with several chances notably from Cian Bree-Galvin and Cillian Egan.Half time saw the greens go in 1 goal to the good.

The second half saw a multitude of substitutions and some great football being played. The whites began to impose themselves strongly and came close when a shot from Ronan Walsh narrowly missed the target. Cillian Egan also fired wide while at the other end the twin ‘Messis’ of Fionn Morrisey and Fiachra Cogan were causing lots of problems for the whites defence.
The greens defense held up to the challenge until about five minutes from time when Shay Doherty was fouled in the box to win a penalty. Cillian Egan stepped up to crash a shot off the crossbar and in the resulting melee in the goalmouth was quickest to react to blast home the equalizer. Neither side was able to find the winning goal yet both sides were happy with the draw in the end.

Well done to all players involved and to managers AJ Cogan, Stephen Conway and Robert Ryan will have to work with Gerry Doherty, Paul Higgins and Peter Galvin for providing an attractive game – despite the pressures !.

The game was well marshalled by Irma Kelly.