Sun 9th May 2004

Cup Final Disappointment for Celtic U-12s

 Castleknock Celtic  2  St Pauls Artane  4

This was a disappointing game for Celtic in the Kevin Moran Cup Final.  They went behind on 15 minutes after Michael Gleeson seized on an opportunity to put St Pauls 1-0 ahead.  Celtic fought their way back into the game, and on 18 minutes, Micheál Gateley hit a rasper off the foot of the post.  Then on 21 minutes, Davy Cannicott headed on to Paul Hunt, who was composed as he lofted the ball over the advancing Graham Poole, the Artane keeper.  Barry Doyle was showing his class.  He was a colossus as he covered every blade of grass.  Micheál Gateley gave it everything.  Cillian Brophy was his usual effervescent self, despite getting a nasty blow on the nose, which left him requiring treatment on the line for a blood injury.  It was quite a physical encounter, and Ronan Flanagan will have the marks to bear this out.  He had to receive treatment for a high studs tackle.

Full-time arrived with the sides still level at 1-1.  St Pauls turned up the heat in the first quarter of extra-time, and they duly went ahead after 9 minutes.  They went 3-1 ahead half way into the second period of extra time.  Davy Cannicott laid off a beautiful pass to Christian Galvin, who took his chance superbly to give Celtic a glimmer of hope. 3-2.  But St Pauls broke clear at the death, to finish on a high.  4-2.