Kilmessan Shield
Thursday 23rd March 2023

Navan Town Cosmos 1-3 Kells Celtic

1. Johnny Lynch
2. Paul Delaney ©
3. Thomas Carry
4. Oisin Smith
5. Carl Jordan
6. Tony Smith
7. DJ Carry
8. Lewis O’Donnell
9. Lar Ivers ⚽️⚽️
10. Bradley Caffery
11. Jack O’Keeffe ⚽️

12. Conor Kirwan 🔄 Bradley Caffery
13. Brandon Browne 🔄 Paul Delaney
14. Ciaran Keating 🔄 Thomas Carry
15. Jack Canavan 🔄 Tony Smith
16. Edan McKay 🔄 Lar Ivers
17. Arturs Balivan
18. Kuba Bidzinski

Kells Celtic secured a quarter final berth with a hard fought win against a dogged Cosmos side on a wild and wet night in the MDL.

With preparations hampered by having nowhere to warm-up properly for either side, it was a miracle that the game actually went ahead but Kells settled quickly and were bright in possession but found the gale blowing at them hampering a lot of the forward play.

The game descended into a scrappy affair with both sides losing possession regularly and it was a misplaced pass at the back which led to Cosmos opening the scoring.

Half-time 0-1

With an analysis of the first half foibles highlighting a need for change, Head Coach Wes Jordan introduced exciting teenager Jack Canavan and adapted the formation in possession which allowed a much higher tempo and brought quick results when interplay between Canavan and O’Keeffe presented Ivers with a chance to tuck home from close range. Ivers was at his sharp best again a couple of minutes later to grab his 2nd and give Kells the lead. Kells were in the ascendancy but it took a massive save from Johnny Lynch with captain Paul Delaney lying injured to keep Kells ahead.

Kells rung the changes with Kirwan and Keating and Browne coming in for the injured Delaney, Caffery and Thomas Carry.

Kirwan had a glorious chance when a magnificent crossfield swith got him in behind the defence but the ball skidded away from his touch and the chance was gone. Kells then had fervent appeals for a penalty waved away by referee Billy Cruise after an apparent handball before putting the game to bed with the obligatory goal from Jack O’Keeffe cutting in from the left and finishing low into the corner.

Kells go through the quarter finals and now prepare to open their Premier Division campaign with a huge test when they travel to Dundalk next Friday night to face top tier stalwarts Quay Celtic under lights.

The work continues at pace…