Kells Celtic hold out despite late slump in thriller

Kells Celtic, playing out of their adopted home in Navan, secured a vital Meath & District League Div 2 victory against another team that plays at the venue, Johnstown, on Sunday morning where Darragh McNamara scored a spectacular goal from the centre circle. Seven goals and plenty of action in each penalty area made for an entertaining 90 minutes as hosts Kells Celtic survived a late Johnstown rally that just came up short. Johnstown trailed by three goals at one stage and deserve enormous credit for their never-say-die attitude, but the recovery was aided by Kells Celtic's fade-out in the closing stages. Most of the Kells players looked a long way off the fitness levels required for 90 minutes, even at this level of football, but if they can get that matter resolved they will certainly be involved at the business end of the table next March or April. Currently Kells Celtic can count on the contribution of Darragh McNamara, the Kells man started the season with Drogheda Utd in the League of Ireland and could return to that grade at the start of next season around Februray or so. For an hour on Sunday he pulled the strings at midfield, but was forced to drop deeper as his colleagues struggeld in the closing stages. He also scored what proved to be the winning goal, only seconds after Johnstown's best player, Barry Halpin had reduced the deficit with a flicked header from Brian Clerkin's free. That goal left Johnstown 1-3 adrift, but from the kick-off McNamara got possession and from inside the centre circle drove the ball to the net with an accurate shot. No doubt Johnstown 'keeper Martin McKeown will be reminded about that goal by his colleagues at training this week and the custodian was fortunate on a couple of other occasions when the woodwork came to his rescue. Kells generally dominated the opening half and were worth an interval lead from McNamara's 20th minute strike after Barry Farrelly's shot was parried. Johnstown became fairly frazzled during the opening exchanges and McKeown talked himself into a yellow card for a verbal broadside that referee Jim Yeates was not prepared to tolerate. To their credit, Johhnstown then turned down the volume and concentrated on trying to chase Kells around the pitch. The pattern continued after the break with Thomas Carry denied by the woodwork in the fourth minute, but a two-goal salvo from Aidan Byrne in as many minutes soon after appeared to leave Kells in a very strong position. Halpin, who was moved to midfield for Johnstown, pulled one back, but McNamara cancelled that instantly. Kells then just ran out of everything. They retreated to such an extent that play was more or less congested around their penalty area. Halpin's performance inspired Johnstown and Daryl Tully was denied by a couple of good Sean Herward saves before eventually finding the net with 20 minutes remaining. Tully added another goal to set up a tense finish, but Kells held on, due in no small part to the displays of Oliver Gordon and Charlie Usher in the back four. Johnstown, who play a nice brand of football, will take some encouragement from their second-half revival as they attempt to mould a title-winning side. Kells Celtic - S Herward; F Byrne, J Murray, C Usher, O Gordon, D Mcnamara, P Murray, T Carry, A Byrne, B Farrelly, S Mahon. Subs - L Quail for F Byrne 55 mins, D Sullivan for P Murray 75m. Johnstown - M McKeown; B Halpin, M Beggy, M Mulvaney, B Clerkin, D Cuffe, A Owens, C Croke, D Reilly, D Tully, D Molloy. Subs - S Rennicks for Cuffe 60 mins, M Hayden for Molloy 70m. Referee - Jim Yeates (Meath Branch ISRS)