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 excellent end of season form of the Club’s U15’s continued today when they swept aside the NECSL U15 Premier League & Cup winners Albion Rovers by a score of 5-1 to advance to the final of the Premier Shield. This means that a total of seven of Celtic’s schoolboy teams reached their Shield finals - very impressive. 

John Marron’s boys turned out a very impressive display in Collon & the goals were scored by Darragh Scannell (2), Jordan Martin (2) & Scott McGowan. The final against Kells/Blackwater is scheduled for Tuesday evening of next week.

Another Celtic team fought it’s way to an NECSL Shield final this evening at Tully Park when Robert Bradley steered the U16’s to the decider thanks to an impressive 3-1 win over Albion Rovers. Damien McGee hit two & Simon Dixon the other against Albion Rovers from Co. Louth.

This brings to five the number of Celtic teams that will contest NECSL Shield finals with the U15’s still to play their semi final next Saturday against Albion Rovers.

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The Club U13A’s (pictured) were first into the winner’s enclosure this season when a scoreless draw at home to Athboy Celtic last Saturday in Tully Park was enough to win them the NECSL Division 1 title with onw game to spare. With a record of eleven wins & two draws this was a great day for Ron Metcalfe’s boys who installed themselves as favourites immediately the season started last August & have remeined unbeaten since in all competitions except the SFAI Troy Cup. Congratulations to all concerned.

The Club’s other Schoolboy teams have also turned in some fine results ast Saturday & since.

The U14’s defeated Albion Rovers 4-1 in Division 1 to retain alive their slight hopes of retaining the league title. On target were Sam Millen, Mark Little, Fionn Nally & Donal Callan.

The U13B’s hit six without reply against Oldcastle in a double header. The result sees them collect three more Division 2 points & it also counts as a victory in the shield. Anthony Peppard, Colin Keane, Alan O’Halloran, Lee McGorrian & Dean Courtney all scored. Brian Flood’s boys need one point against MV Bhoys in their last game to win the title.

The U12’s also tasted victory in the shield when they overcame the challenge of Carrick Rovers in Carrickmacross by a score of 2-1. Ryan Moore & Conor Burke hit the goals. The game featured fine displays by Adrian Maguire, Shane Moore & Conor Burke. This evening at Tully Park the U12’s defeated visitors Kells/Blackwater in their penultimate league outing. The scorers were Jack Byrne (2), Stephen Moroney (pen) & Conor Burke in a comprehensive 4-0 win. Other players to impress were Ryan Moore, Neil sweeney & Sean Coloe. John Sweeney’s lads need a win in their last league game at home to Parkvilla to become U12 Division 1 champions.

Gerry Harte’s U11A’s travelled to Carrickmacross to take on the local Carrick Rovers in their shield & came home happy after an impressive 3-1 win in very windy conditions. Daniel Lewis, James Cullen & Pierre Fox hit the target. The team were on the field again last night when they entertained Enfield Celtic in Division 1 & once again they emerged victorious this time by a score of 6-0. James Cullen struck twice as did Mark Kane and Daniel Lewis & Peter Gavin got the others. With three games to go, they are three points ahead of MV Bhoys.

Unfortunately the U11B’s lost 0-4 away to Torro Utd. in the shield at the weekend.

The improved form of the U15’s was again to be seen as they beat visitors Manor Farm 3-0 at Tully Park in their shield match. The scorers were Conor Smith with two & Dara Scannell. They lead 2-0 at the break.

Sad to report the U17’s lost at home to Enfield Celtic in the shield on Sunday morning. Scorer not known.

Everything came together this evening in the very lasy league game of the season for the Club’s U15s when they trounced visitor Kentstown Rovers at Tully Park by a score of 12-0

The marksmen to run up the score were Conor Smith (4), Damien McGee (2) & Ryan Keenan, Darragh Scannell, James Hyland, Darren melia, Dean Kelly & Jordan Martin with one each.

This result leapfrogs Celtic above Parkvilla who have also completed their programme & Kenstown also, but they have two games left to play.

All of the scheduled Schoolboy games at Tully Park today were called off because of the weterlogged condition of the pitches there.

The U15 game away In Carrickmacross was called off also, after Celtic’s team arrived there!

Thre U14 game away to Torro Utd. was also called off but again not until Celtic’s team had arrived at the venue.

The Club’s Schoolboy teams enjoyed a successful day out today & several of them took vital steps towards ’silverware’ in their respective NECSL leagues.

Gerry Harte’s U11A’s lead Division 1 & they maintained their table topping position by comprehensively beating visitors Parkvilla 8-0. On target were James Cullen (3), Pierre Fox (pictured), Mark Kane, Cian Nevin, Fionnan Madden & Peter Gavin. The contest for the title is now down to two teams - Celtic & MV Bhoys. Trim have a three point lead with five games to play.

The U13A’s also defeated Parkvilla at Tully Park thanks to strikes by Jack Johnston & Patrick Lennon, a result that also keeps them at the top of Division 1. Again the contest for the title is a ‘two horse race’ with Ron Metcalfe’s lads holding a four point lead over Athboy with two games remaining. Athboy however have a game in hand.

The U14’s also won today in Division 1 to keep their hopes alive of retaining their League title. Robert Sweeney & leading scorer Donal Callan both scored to see off the challange of Carrick Rovers 2-0 at Tully Park.

The U11B’s received a walkover from Skryne/Tara who were unable to field in their Division 2 match scheduled for Tully Park.

Sad to report the U15 Division 1 game against visitors Walshestown from Co. Louth was abandoned with Celtic enjoying a 3-2 the lead at the time. Investigations are underway by the Club into the matter, particularly with a view to establishing why the referee took the decision to blow up early.

Reserve Team manager Luke Dempsey (left) exchanges a few words with U15 Team Manager John Marron at Tully Park recently before the U15s took on Albion Rovers.

In the only game played today the fight for Division 1 survival by the Club’s U15s received a vital boost this morning when John Marron’s boys travelled to Navan to take on second from the bottom Parkvilla.

The game finished 4-1 to Celtic thanks to goals from Colm Conneely, Conor Smith, Ryan Keenan & and a James Hyland forced OG. James is pictured here.

Well done to all the squad. The fight for survival has now begun in earnest & hopefully this result will act as as priongboard for the team in the run in to the end of the season.

As the U14s play visitors Kells in the background at Tully Park this morning, the U15s warm up under the watchful eye of Jim Hyland.Jim has two sons playing for the Club - James (U15) & Eric (U13) & played himself for many years with Trim Celtic as a determined left full back . He featured in the Club 1st Team that contested the Lynch Cup (LSL) in Dalymount Park in 1988.

Keep up the good work Jim!