Depleted Tullamore undone by Celtic"s first half double

Tullamore Town 0 Castlebar Celtic 2 A devastating three minute spell just before half time ensured that Castlebar Celtic went away with all three points in this entertaining encounter in Leah Victoria Park last Saturday. With three of their regular back four unavailable through injury, this was always going to be a tricky assignment for Tullamore and for long periods in the first half they more than matched their opponents. They were first to threaten when Michael Hoey played a clever ball through to Simon Keegan who cut inside but elected to pass when in a good shooting position and the danger was cleared. With half an hour gone Hoey got on the end of a Kevin Duffy cross but his header was well saved by Darragh Ainsworth in the Celtic goal and then good play by Gary Buckley on the right picked out Keegan but again the keeper saved comfortably. With 37 minutes on the clock, Castlebar made the breakthrough when Alan McDonnell played a lovely ball through to Peter Dravins and the big centre-forward outpaced the defence before coolly placing the ball just inside Joe Mooney"s right hand post. Minutes later, Dravins turned provider when he sent a teasing cross to the far post and the in-rushing Christopher Rowland rifled it into the roof of the net. On the stroke of half-time they nearly went further ahead when the dangerous Dravins picked the ball up thirty yards out and sent a blistering shot inches wide of the right hand post to leave the score 2-0 in the visitors" favour at the interval. With Brian Francis coming on, home side steadied the ship and, on 50 minutes, they should have been back in the game. Simon Keegan broke clear on the right and played a great crossfield ball to Mark Goodings who rounded the keeper but, with the goal gaping, he failed to get enough on his shot and the danger was cleared. With Anthony Heffernan and Stewart Kavanagh coming on for Town they continued to battle and again went close when Buckley found Kevin Duffy thirty yards out but his fine effort just cleared the top right hand corner to leave the visitors comfortable winners at the end. Manager Mark Dempsey will be hoping to have his full squad of players available for the visit of Salthill Devon tomorrow (Saturday, 7pm), but he will have taken much encouragement from his depleted team"s performance and, in particular, that of young Gary Buckley, who was making his debut with the first team. The match was sponsored by Theresa Connolly of Ritzy"s Hair Salon and the man of the match award, which went to Gary Buckley, was sponsored by Jim McGovern Plant Hire (Ireland) Ltd. Tullamore: Joe Mooney, Fergal Gorman, Stephen Francis, Willie Duffy, Michael Kenaney, Gary Buckley, Kevin Duffy, Dean Goode, Simon Keegan, Michael Hoey and Mark Goodings. Subs: Brian Francis, Anthony Heffernan, Stewart Kavanagh, Trevor Francis.