This bunch of brave souls don’t know the words straightforward and routine but definitely know about heart, courage and application. From 2-0 up after 20 minutes to 3-2 down at half-time, Kells Celtic did it the hard way but came away with all 3 points, 16 lads with game time and the knowledge that they can overcome most everything when they are truly at it.

Kells open the scoring in the most spectacular fashion when Cian O’Brien hit a fantastic bicycle kick from the centre of the box to lob the keeper after a great ball from Cian McManus.

The lead was double when the two reversed roles with O’Brien feeding McManus to slot home.

Kells conceded a debatable free on the edge of the box but there was no debating the finish as it was buried into the top corner. Then came a moment of controversy when another close free kick came back off the bar and was tucked home by an offside attacker with the referee deeming it another passage of play which caused puzzlement among everyone there.

Kells fell behind when a throw back to the keeper took a bobble which was pounced on by the Ardee attacker.

Half-time 2-3

Some stern but positive words at half-time saw a reinvigorated Kells right back in it when a short corner was buried from the edge of the box by Frank O’Reilly.

Kells then took the lead twice within the space of a minute from an inswinging corner when the referee disallowed a goal for some reason from a corner and ordered a retake only for Seanie Curran to hammer home the resultant retake with a bullet header.

Changes a plenty followed but Kells worked hard and managed the remaining minutes expertly to get back on the winning track.

Kells Celtic Team

1. Ben Farrelly
2. Kelvin Blair
3. Liam Day
4. Aaron Rooney
5. Niall Williams
6. Seanie Curran ⚽️
7. Cian McManus ⚽️
8. Frank O’Reilly ⚽️
9. Cian O’Brien ⚽️
10. Chris Darga
11. Paddy Murray

12. Zak Griffin 🔄 Cian O’Brien
13. Ryan Halpin 🔄 Cian McManus
14. Alex Flood Norton 🔄 Paddy Murray
15. Andy Allen 🔄 Kelvin Blair
16. Dean Connell 🔄 Seanie Curran
17. Paul McGuiness
18. Daniel Phipps
19. Harry Lee