JUST THE START NEW BOSS MCDONAGH ORDERED AGAINST HIS OLD CLUB
17 September 1997
Lawless back with a bang for
Celtic
Castlebar Celtic ......................... 1 Galway United ............................ 0
By Tom Kelly . . . . at Celtic Park
Danny Lawless marked his return to Castlebar Celtic with a match-winning goal against Galway United in the side's opening match of the Foley & Mullery-sponsored Connaught Senior League Premiership.
Lawless, who signed for his old club Snugboro five months ago without playing a game for them, ensured Celtic of the start they wanted with his 76th minute strike. He powered the ball into the net from six yards following a corner kick by Steve Gavin which had been knocked down to Lawless by the head of Kevin Ryan.
It was fitting that Gavin and Ryan had been involved in the set-place which produced the game's decisive stroke. They had been Celtic's most influential players in a clash high in work rate and commitment. Gavin's skill and close control always threatened to unlock a Galway rearguard in which Don O'Riordan, the former Notts. County star who is currently managing the Terryland Park club, was the dominant figure.
Ryan, on the other hand, provided leadership and skill in the midfield sector where he won an enormous amount of ball both in the air and on the ground. I have been a critic of Ryan's inconsistent form over the past number of years. I am not reluctant to admit that I have rarely see him playing as well as he is now. He is sharp, full of conviction and his level of concentration over the ninety minutes has never been as good.
Ryan will form the backbone of Celtic's championship challenge this season, and Gavin will provide the inspiration.
Celtic manager Mick McDonagh, who was former Galway United player, made a number changes from the side which defeated Straide & Foxford in the Premiership Cup a week earlier.
But the selection of out-and-out attacking midfielders, namely Lynden Reilly and Martin McNicholas, in the two full-back positions appeared odd when the team was first announced. But the gamble proved very effective against a Galway strike force in which Fergal Coleman and Gareth Gorman were particularly dangerous in the opening half with the wind at their backs.
Celtic's dogged and determined defensive play in the first half formed the foundation for their match-winning display in the second half.
Having absorbed so much pressure before the interval, Celtic went on the offensive from the restart and the early signs were good.
Dazzling Ability
Gavin's dazzling dribbling ability was causing havoc, and he set up a brilliant opportunity on the hour for Martin McNicholas which was saved from point_blank range by United goalkeeper, Philip King.
Keith Burke, who missed Castlebar's only real opening of the first half, was also getting into good positions for Celtic and it seemed only a matter of time before they would be rewarded.
Galway were defending in numbers, however, and seemed resigned to settling for a scoreless draw. But they were punished badly for failing to pick up their men from a corner-kick situation, and Lawless snatched the goal which Celtic richly deserved.
Others to contribute handsomely to Celtic's victory were Steve Murphy, Russell Gibbons and goalkeeper Seamus Devaney.
Fintan McHale limped off after ten minute with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Keith Hopkins who did not put a foot wrong.
Castlebar Celtic: S. Devaney, S. Murphy, L. Reilly, K. Murphy, F. McHale, R. Gibbons, D. Lawless, M. McNicholas, K. Burke, K. Ryan, S. Gavin. Res: K. Hopkins (for McHale inj.); B. Horan (for Burke).
Galway United: P. King, T. McSweeney, M.D. Clancy, D. O'Riordan, E. Sherlock, M. Keane, C. Kelly, S. Rabbitte, F. Coleman, G. Gorman, P. Thornton. Res: R. Browne and K. Murphy (both used).
Ref: J. Blake (Castlebar).
* Star Rating: Kevin Ryan. . .leading by example.
