Match of the Day 

Hot-shot Cillian Steers Celtic to Victory 

15Ds earned full points in their league match against Lusk Utd thanks to a stunning hat-trick from Cillian Meade.  The two teams served up a feast of football with 100% commitment.  The first half failed to produce a goal.  The second half was not long on when the Celtic defence failed to close down the Lusk striker who shot home from the edge of the box.  1-0 to Lusk.

This sparked a wake-up call, and within minutes Celtic responded.  They won a corner on the left.  Carl sent in a perfect cross to the head of Cillian Meade, whose bullet-header was in the back of the net in a flash. On a quarter of an hour of the second half, Ciaran Egan set up Cillian, who sees nothing else but goal when he gets the ball.  He rifled home from 12 metres giving the visiting Lusk keeper no chance.  But the visitors were not out yet.  They shot up the park, and again poor defence failed to clear a dangerous cross, which ended up with a fine opportunist goal.  Game on at 2-2.

Celtic's third goal was a gem.  It began with good work by Steve Connellan in the left back position.  He passed to Paul Hughes, who jinked by a couple of defenders, and then passed to the lethal Cillian Meade, who sent his trade mark rocket into the bottom right hand corner of the net, again giving the Lusk keeper no chance.

While Cillian probably won man of the match award, Chris Tuite must have pushed him hard for the accolade.

It was only left for Ciaran Egan to chest home a cross to the net giving the home side a deserved win.

But the decisive moment came when a corner for Dunboyne, sent in by Richie Keany, half-way through the second half, was met by a powerful header on the back post by Eoin Dolan, who caught the home defence off-guard. 1-0.

There a some excellent performances. To be honest, at half time Celtic had looked the more likely team to win the day. The central defenders Craig Norton and Jordan McMillian put in an enormous amount of work to keep the visitors at bay.  Stephen Boyle was strong at left full back. Fran O'Donnell worked tirelessly, and helped to prevent a likely goal with a fine tackle inside his own box.  Keeper Aaron Hasani looked assured between the posts.  Chris Hoey put in some killer crosses, which unfortunately were not given the final touch.  It's now back to the bread and butter of promotion after this very good Cup run.  Meantime, however, they can go and enjoy their trip to Manchester for next weekend's Easter Manchester Cup tournament.  They are taking in the Villa v. Chelsea Premiership match on Easter Monday.

11Es fall behind in league race.  Celtic went down 3-1 away to Ratoath Harps despite a goal from Tiernan O'Donoghue.

12As slip in title hunt, when they conceded a late equaliser against local rivals Kinvara.  2-2.

12Ds have easy 8-0 win over Artane Beaumont.  Star performance was from Tommy Mooney, who scored a very handsome four goals, and deserves this week's golden boot award!  Graham Walsh, Carl Murtagh, Gary Doyle, and 'goal a week' Johnny Cooper, were also on the score sheet.

12Fs were unlucky not to get something from this game against league leaders Rush Athletic.  They had been just one behind late on, and had their chances to be on level terms.  But a couple of late strikes as Celtic pressed forward left the final score 3-0 to visitors Rush.

16Bs prove too strong for Rivervalley Rangers in windswept Swords.  Mark O'Toole put Celtic one up in the first half after they had a penalty saved.  Rivervalley equalised in the second half.  But Stephen Kirwan hit a brace to put the visitors 3-1 up.  A late penalty converted by Rivervalley flattered the home side, who were very much second-best on the day.