NEFL Division 1
Sunday 21st of August 2022

Kells Celtic 4-1 Albion

1. Johnny Lynch
2. Lewis O’Donnell
3. Ciaran Keating
4. Calvin Murphy
5. Carl Jordan
6. Oisin Smith
7. Bradley Caffery ©
8. Tony Smith
9. Adam Donnelly
10. Seanie Curran
11. Jack O’Keeffe ⚽️ ⚽️ ⚽️

12. Lar Ivers ⚽️ 🔄 Seanie Curran
13. Paul Flood 🔄 Calvin Murphy
14. Conor Kirwan 🔄 Lewis O’Donnell

Kells came into this morning’s game on the back of a superb comeback against table toppers OMP last time out looking to kick on and mount a serious challenge at the top of the table. With injuries mounting and a number of regulars away on holiday, the squad was a thin on numbers but the quality throughout the squad meant that management had no issues making changes.

Kells started off brightly in the beautiful morning sunshine moving the ball well and creating opportunities but found the gigantic Albion keeper in inspired form foiling 3 one-on-ones in a row and making a number of saves. Albion took the lead on a rare foray forward when an innocuous challenge gifted them a free from about 25 yards out which was expertly dispatched into the top corner leaving Lynch with no chance.

Half-time 0-1

The message was clear from the coaching team at half-time, keep playing and take your chances. Kells started like lightening attacking sharply down both flanks but it was a sliderule ball to Jack “Juice” O’Keeffe that saw him halted unceremoniously and allowed him to plant it in the bottom corner.

Kells made changes with Lar Ivers replacing Seanie Curran and Paul Flood replacing the injured Calvin Murphy. The switch saw Ivers up top and his guile and strength were causing all sorts of problems. His link-up saw Juice in on the left side where he buried the ball at the 2nd attempt to give Kells the lead.

Kells were forced into another change when the excellent Lewis O’Donnell succumbed to injury being replaced by Conor Kirwan with Oisin Smith slipping into centre back.

With minutes to go, O’Keeffe got his 2nd and Kells 3rd with the aid of a massive deflection but there was no doubt about the icing on the cake when superb interplay between Keating and Donnelly lead to Jack drawing the keeper and finishing with aplomb.

Another superb victory and, more importantly, an accomplished performance with resilience and game management to the fore. We wish the lads a speedy recovery and look forward to hosting inform Ardee Celtic next Sunday.