Celtic March Into League Final With Easy Win Over BT Harps
Clonmel Celtic Ladies cruised into the final of the Tipperary League with a comprehensive victory over North Tipperary rivals BT Harps in Clonmel on Sunday last.
Celtic had stars all over the pitch and with home advantage proved far too strong for Harps who battled gamely throughout.
After a cagey and tight opening 15 minutes, Celtic found their rhythm and got their noses in front through a brilliant strike from the talented Megan Shanahan. And one soon became two when Niamh Mackey cut in from the right wing to finish superbly.
BT Harps settled after this and came into the game but struggled to create any goal scoring opportunities against a well marshalled Celtic defence. However it was Celtic who got the all-important third goal when Emily Corcoran pounced on a loose ball in the area.
With their tails up Celtic continued to dominate and in the dying minutes of the first half were awarded a free kick on the edge of the BT Harps area. Megan Shanahan stepped up to take it and her ferocious strike gave the young BT Harps keeper no chance to make it 4-0 at the break.
Credit has to be given to BT Harps who came out in the second half on the front foot but Celtic were always a threat on the break and punished the North Tipp side when Niamh Mackey raced clear on the right wing to cross for Emily Corcoran to head home. With the contest now over, both sides utilised their benches and made several changes but Celtic continued to dominate.
The impressive Roisin McGrath, who was to the fore of every Celtic attack, added a sixth when she struck to the corner of the net from the edge of the box.
Despite the scoreline, BT Harps eventually got the goal they deserved. Celtic conceded a free kick well outside the box and a superb strike from Paula Doran gave the visitors a consolation goal.
More changes were made on both sides and another run and cross whipped in from Niamh Mackey on the right wing forced an OG from the visitors.
Just before the final whistle Niamh Mackey scored the games best goal. The talented winger found herself in an unfamiliar position on the edge of the box but she showed her class again to lift the ball over a defender before smashing a volley to the roof of the net to give Celtic a well deserved 8-1 win.
BT Harps, a very sporting side, never gave up and kept battling until the final whistle. On another day their intricate passing and clever movement would have caused Celtic problems. They have a mix of youth and experience and will definitely be a threat going forward as their results have shown all season in the North Tipp section. And it wasn’t all about the ladies. As always club stalwart Noel Hickey was on hand to ensure the game ran smoothly and had everything in order for the game.
