Celtic look invincible
NEW ROSS Celtic stretched their lead at the top of the table with a hard-earned victory over battling Park Hotspur in this Premier Division clash at Rosslare Strand on Sunday morning last.
The Barrowsiders bagged the three points with a composed display throughout the 90 minutes, and it now looks odds-on that they are about to put titles back-to-back as they stretch clear at the top of the table. Really at this stage the league is theirs to be lost, such is their dominance of the domestic scene.
Having made a shock exit from the cup, New Ross Celtic are not in the mood for slipping up a second time. This committed and stylish performance saw them dominate for lengthy stretches, although it must be said that Park Hotspur never gave up battling, even though the three points were always destined for Barrowside.
The reigning champions got off to the ideal start. Having pushed forward with a number of promising attacks, they eventually opened their account as early as the ninth minute. Centre-back Matt O'Neill gathered possession some 25 metres from goal before unleashing a superb shot to the top right-hand corner of the net, leaving 'keeper Ciarán O'Leary helpless.
It was to become an uphill battle for Park Hotspur who found it difficult to find any real space in front of goal despite some threatening runs from both Peter Marsden and David Hayes.
New Ross came close to increasing their lead in the 40th minute. Paul Phelan knocked a Paddy Kinsella cross back into the path of Philip Drohan, but his effort was knocked off the line by Jason Malone, while 'keeper O'Leary kept out the return from Grangel.
Four minutes before the break Celtic managed to double their lead. Grangel broke down the right and played the ball across the face of the goal, leaving Paul Phelan with a simple tap-in, with the holders taking a deserved 2-0 lead in at the break.
Park Hotspur, who seemed to be lacking options through the first-half, sparked to life on the resumption. Inside nine minutes of the re-start, Peter Marsden drilled a low ball to the net to make it 2-1.
The game had turned right around at this stage, but Hotspur were unable to create an equaliser as both Celtic centre-backs, Johnny Mullett and Matt O'Neill, were superb in the face of incessant pressure through the opening 20 minutes of the second period.
While New Ross Celtic had chances to extend their lead, they had to wait until the 88th minute for their third goal. A Seán Culleton effort was deflected onto the post, but the rebound struck a defender in the crowded goalmouth to find its way to the net, securing all three point.s
Hotspur in one late attack could have had a penalty when Matt O'Neill seemed to handle a goalbound shot on the line but unsighted referee Damien Donovan waved on play. Even a goal would have mattered little at that stage as New Ross Celtic were well on their way to taking all three points.
In the only other Premier Division tie, Forth Celtic gained three valuable points with a 2-0 victory over lowly Ajax Athletic. Anthony Hayes and Michael Farrell were the marksmen.
- PARK HOTSPUR NEW ROSS CELTIC BRENDAN FURLONG
