Wilderness claim First Division League title with play-off victory over neighbours Celtic
Clonmel Celtic 0 – 2 Wilderness Rovers
Victory delayed didn’t turn into victory denied for Wilderness Rovers on Sunday last, when they clinched the Clonmel Credit Union First Division title with a well-deserved two nil win against Clonmel Celtic at Celtic Park.
The visitors seemed to have learned a lot from their midweek Paddy Purtill Cup defeat to the same opponents as they completely nullified the home sides attacking threat, as well as being more clinical with their own chances. In truth it was comfortable for the Wilderness against a very below par home team who just never got going on the day.
Once again there was no lack of effort from both sides and the visitors had the better of the opening exchanges, but neither side were able to carve out any decent openings. Wayward efforts from Ben Brown for Rovers and Peter O’Dowd for Celtic were the only real attempts in the first half hour.
But the visitors finally did break the deadlock on the half hour mark, when Shane O’Meara took full advantage of a defensive mix up to race through and fire past Davy Cashin in the home goal. The hosts tried to rally and Craig Condon came close when a Paddy Ormond corner fell to him but his effort was saved.
The home support was hoping for an improvement when the second half kicked off but unfortunately it was just one of those days as Celtic just couldn’t get a foothold in the game. The visitors effectively wrapped the game up in the 60th minute when again they took advantage of hesitancy in the home defence with Shane O’Meara turning provider on this occasion crossing for Dean Clarke to nod home from close range.
Although Celtic battled until the end the visitors held out comfortably to claim the first division title.
