In the last two games of the 2007/8 Schoolboy season Celtic’s U14 & U15 Teams both lost their NECSL Shield Finals played at the MDL Grounds on Wednesday evening of this week.

The U14’s lost out to Kingscourt Harps by a score of 0-3 in a game in which they enjoyed long periods of midfield domination thanks in no small measure to another fine performance by Robert Sweeney. The front runners spurned numerous good chances throughout as Celtic thwarted by a spirited & at times lucky Kingscourt side that played a more direct style of football. Nick Nally & his assistants Des FitzGerald & Mark Scanlon will be left to wonder how their treble -winning side from last year failed to reach the winner’s enclosure this year but hopes are high that the disappointment of losing out will renew their determination to re-establish themselves to the number one position next term.

The U15’s (pictured here before the game) were unable to reach the level of performance of recent weeks that saw them put together a string of excellent results & despite a late rally were unable to force their final into extra time. Lewis Dowling was Celtic’s scorer late on in a 1-2 defeat by Kells. Darren Melia was one of the few on form players on the night. John Marron can look back however with great satisfaction after an impressive second half to the season, which retained Premier Division league status for his team.

The Club’s end of season Presentation Function for its various Schoolboy Teams will be held on Friday of next week 23rd May in the Castle Arch Hotel starting at 6pm.

Player of the Year trophies will be presented to each of the chosen players on the Club’s nine very successful eleven-a-side teams that competed throughout the season just ended.

This event is eagerly awaited every year & the highlight will be the announcement of the overall Player of the Year who will receive the Noel Dempsey Perpetual Cup (pictured). Already twenty names appear on the trophy.

Come along to see who the 21st will be!

These two little lads were pictured at the Sevens Club end of season Presentation Function in the Town Hall recently & supported each other through the busy programme of events arranged by Chairman Pat Hanson & his Committee

If a parent of the two boys (whom we assume to be brothers), makes contact with General Secretary Des Clancy to identify them, he will present them both with a gift from the Club!

Nice picture!

The Club’s Seniors have four games still to play in the Premier Division of the MDL but depending on results they may have only to play two of them.

These games are necessary to decide the first four places in the Premier Division in order to identify the qualifying teams for the Top Four Competition at the start of next season - a trophy currently held by Celtic.

Next Thursday evening they take on Duleek in Tully Park & on Sunday 18th May they travel to Carricmacross to take on the local Carrick Rovers. The remaining games are against Albion Rovers at home & Glaslough away.

The recent appeal by the Ladies Club for new players has been very successful & newly appointed manager Karen Halpenny is looking forward to the big kick off next Monday week when her chages travel to play DMR in their opening match in Division 3 North of the Dublin Women’s Soccer League.

Karen has expressed satisfaction at the num ner of new players that have enrolled to boost the existing players from last season & hopes are high for a successful first outing on 19th May. After that the team have three home games in Tully Park against Albion Rovers, Dundalk B & Sheriff YC.

Some of the Ladies are pictured here during a recent training session at Tully Park.

Sad to report the Club’s U14’s lost the final of the NECSL Challenge Cup this evening at the MDL Grounds when they went down 0-1 to Kentstown Rovers, who thus completed a league & cup double. In a pulsating game with end to end action the superior skills of the Celtic boys came second best to the more direct approach of the highly motivated Kentstown side & Trim must now pick up the pieces as they plan for the Shield final next Wednesday night against Kingscourt Harps.

The only goal of the game, a breakaway, was scored with twenty minutes left in the second half after Celtic had failed to convert some clear opportunities & indeed in the closing minutes they pressed hard for a deserved equaliser.

For Celtic, Lee Dixon & Fionn Nally in defence, Mark Leavy & Rian Wogan on the wings & Sean Spratt were stand outs in a fine team performance which did not unfortunately live up to the standards that Nick Nally’s team have set for themselves.

Another trophy was captured by the Club this evening at the MDL Grounds when Robert Bradley’s U16’s defeated Kells/Blackwater in the final of the NECSL Premier Shield.

The only goal of thre game as scored by Jordan Martin (pictured) with a fine volley ten mintes into the second half.

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Enjoying themselves at the recent Sevens Club Presentation Function in the Town Hall were Brian Dowling & Pierce Darby who collected medals for their efforts on the field during the season.

Well done boys!

The Club’s U17’s finished their season tonight at the MDL Grounds when the went down 0-2 to Albion Rovers from Co. Louth in the final of the NECSL Challenge Cup.

The game was played in magnificent conditions & there was plenty of end to end footbal from start to finish but Celtic paid for a rather subdued first half. That said it took until the 44th minute for Albion to take the lead.

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