Match of the Week: ROC prove too strong for Tamhlacht

ROC CELTIC laid down their intentions in the UCFL Division One section last Saturday, when they travelled to Jobstown Park and bagged a precious three points in a 4-2 win over Tamhlacht FC reports John Mooney.

It’s all getting a bit congested at the top of the table and it’s anyone’s guess who will prevail at the seasons end, but if all games are like this then we are in for a treat.

This was a cracker from the off, played on a very heavy pitch and no one pulling out of tackles, it was a great watch, but not for the home side who lost.

The visitors were quick into their stride and opened their account inside six minutes, as Ed Shields played a great ball over the home defence that Darren King ran onto and slipped under keeper John Gibbons.

Minutes later Shields was involved again, this time he almost scored at the wrong end when his keeper John Power slipped while clearing his back pass.

But despite that scare ROC increased their advantage on 17 minutes, after Craig O’Brien powerfully headed home a corner from Jason O’Neill.

ROC Celtic claimed a precious three points against Tamhlacht FC

It looked grim for the home side but with five minutes left in the half they threw themselves a lifeline, when Gary Sutton slipped home an Alan Deering pass.

It was game on but, just three minutes after the restart, the visitors regained their two goal advantage when Jordan Brennan crashed home a beauty, turned and celebrated with a dive on the pitch and turned his bright jersey a dark brown shade.

I don’t envy whoever has to wash it.

Tamhlacht FC lost 4-2 to ROC Celtic in Jobstown park

The ROC were comfortable but at the midway point came a real turning point, as Power made two outstanding saves that preserved their lead.

He denied Deering with a save when he was one-on-one, a really great one at that, and then saved with he feet from Graham McNevin.

Either of those could have changed this game, but it was ROC who bagged the insurance goal with minutes remaining, when O’Neill slid in at the back post to seal the points.

TAMHLACHT FC: J. Gibbons, S, Hanrahan, G. Warner, J. Walsh, J. Quigley, D. Harte, G. Sutton, J. Walsh, E. Moore, A, Deering, C. Murphy, C. Farrell, L. Foley, C. Konzo, A. Murray, G. McNevin. ROC

CELTIC: S. Power, S. Callaghan, C. O’Brien, S. Donohoe, E. Shields, J. O’Neill, D. King, J. Maher, A. O’Brien, J. Brennan, M. Hendrick, A. Donegan, G. Farrell, D. Sheridan, T. Shields, B. Herbert, B. Grendon.

REFEREE: P. Power.