Clonmel Celtic and Cahir Park share the points in Tipperary soccer league
John O'Brien and John O'Connor on target in 1-1 draw
Clonmel Celtic 1 Cahir Park 1
Clonmel Celtic had to settle for a share of the spoils after this Premier League clash with Cahir Park in the Tipperary Southern and District soccer League finished 1-1.
The Celtic side showed a number of changes from the previous week and despite some good periods of play they never quite matched their recent impressive performances.
They started on the front foot, with Julian Kerton having an early effort blocked. The visitors had their first real effort on 11 minutes when a long range shot from Ian Flannery had Celtic ‘keeper Fabian Kerton concerned.
Cahir should have hit the front a minute later when Celtic carelessly lost the ball, but Niall Daly’s effort lacked power and was easily saved by Kerton.
However, Cahir didn’t have long more to wait and hit the front on 25 minutes with a fine free kick from John O’Brien.
Celtic were struggling to create any real chances, though Rory O’Dowd went close on 41 minutes with a shot that was just off- target. They did manage to equalise just before the break when John O’Connor bundled home Peter O’Dowd’s corner kick from close range.
Despite playing into a strong wind in the second half, Cahir enjoyed plenty of possession and Fabian Kerton got down well to deny Niall Daly on 46 minutes.
Celtic looked dangerous on the counter and came desperately close to regaining the lead on 53 minutes. Peter O’Dowd’s free kick was tipped onto the bar and John O’Connor headed the rebound against the bar before the ball was cleared to safety.
Celtic finished strongly and came close on a number of occasions to getting that all-important second goal.
Sean Hawkins and Darren Sweeney both had efforts that were just off-target and when Seanie Hawkins was on target from a header Brian Sweeney pulled off a fine save. In the end they couldn’t find that second goal and had to settle for a point.