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⚽ MATCH REPORT | DIVISION 2 SHIELD SEMI-FINAL

 

Today marked a historic day for Toomevara Celtic as we played the first competitive fixture in the club’s history, taking on Birdhill in the Division 2 Shield Semi-Final.

 

🟢 1st Half

 

We started brightly and put Birdhill under pressure from the early stages. On 12 minutes, Martin Cussen chased a ball towards the Birdhill goal as their goalkeeper came sliding out to claim it. With the keeper about to slide across the line of the box, he had no choice but to release the ball to avoid handling it outside his area.

 

Martin reacted quickest, pouncing on the loose ball and calmly finishing into an empty net to give us a 1-0 lead.

 

We continued to press and created a number of chances, but couldn’t find a second goal.

 

Birdhill then levelled when a cross was floated to the back post, where their tall midfielder arrived unchallenged to head home and make it 1-1.

 

Birdhill began to apply more pressure and, a few minutes later, a free kick on the edge of our box was well saved by Matt Bergin. Unfortunately, Birdhill were quickest to react to the rebound and finished the second ball to take a 2-1 lead.

 

The remainder of the half was an entertaining end-to-end battle with chances for both sides.

 

Martin Cussen broke through and found himself one-on-one with the advancing goalkeeper. Rather than shooting, he tried to square the ball to Jason Quinlivan, who was unfortunately adjudged offside.

 

Jason then produced one of the moments of the game, flying down the wing and into the box, beating three players before getting his shot away. With the keeper beaten, the ball came back off the post.

 

Birdhill finished the half strongly and put us under pressure, but we went into the break still very much in the game.

 

🟢 2nd Half

 

Birdhill started the second half strongly and, on 55 minutes, won another free kick close to our box. Their player fired a low shot through a crowded penalty area and into the bottom corner to make it 3-1.

 

Birdhill continued to press and began finding some space, but our defence stood firm and defended really well.

 

We continued to battle and created opportunities of our own late in the game. Dayle Collins got through the Birdhill defensive line after some great play and fired towards goal, but his effort went just wide.

 

There was also a late penalty appeal when Jason Quinlivan was caught by the advancing goalkeeper, but the referee waved play on. Unfortunately, Jason picked up a knee injury in the collision and had to be helped from the pitch.

 

FULL TIME: TOOMEVARA CELTIC 1-3 BIRDHILL

 

Birdhill showed why they are likely to be among the favourites for the league this season, but the performance from our lads showed that we won’t be there just to make up the numbers.

 

For our first competitive fixture in the club’s history, the lads can hold their heads high. We were right in the game for long periods and, on another day, could have found a few more goals.

 

A special mention to Craig Clarke, who was solid throughout and put in a real captain’s performance. 👏

 

There are plenty of positives for us to take from today, and we’ll carry those into the league season.

 

💚 We move forward. We learn. We build.

 

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