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Clonmel Celtic are out of the FAI Junior Cup after going down by the odd goal in five to Cork side Grattan Utd after extra time at Celtic Park last Sunday. Celtic's form had been a bit patchy lately and unfortunately they carried this form into this tie. They never really managed to get to grips with a Grattan side who showed some admirable battling qualities, but were nowhere near the best side Celtic have faced (and beaten) this season. The first half was a lively affair but with very little in terms of goal mouth action. On 37 minutes Ross Doyle swung a dangerous cross into the box that was headed out for a corner. Grattan failed to deal properly with the corner and Emmet Johnson was on hand to turn neatly in the six yard box and fire Celtic into the lead. Unfortunately Celtic were unable to hold onto the lead until half time as Kevin Goldsmith headed home from a corner on the stroke of half time. Both sides upped the tempo in the second half and it was obvious that the Celtic defence were having problems coping with the pacey Grattan frontline. On 53 minutes Grattan hit the front when following some very sloppy defending Alan O'Brien fired home. Celtic struggled to respond but on 67 minutes they were level again when Stephen Ryan powerfully headed home from an Eddie Doyle corner. Both sides pressed hard for the winner and there were chances at both ends. On 75 minutes following a neat move involving Derry Peters and Wayne Murray, Eddie Doyle couldn't finish as his shot flew narrowly wide. A minute later a neat Emmet Johnson header played Eddie Doyle in again but he blazed over under pressure from a Grattan defender. The game finished 2-2 and entered extra time. Five minutes into extra time Stephen Ryan was adjudged to have fouled a Grattan player in the box and from the resulting penalty Pa O'Connor slotted home. Celtic still came close to an equaliser with the Cork keeper twice foiling Emmet Johnson with finger tip saves and thus helping Grattan advance on a 3-2 scoreline. Celtic will no doubt be disappointed but it would be remiss of me not to allude to the fact that our cause was really hampered by injuries and suspensions. Celtic had to play this fixture without leading scorer Paul Kennedy, keeper John Ryan and midfielders Graham Doyle, Andy Cosgrave and Danny Madigan. You could make a strong argument for all these players finding a place on any team in South Tipp. The absence of these players forced Celtic to play a 4-5-1 formation that truthfully they never looked comfortable with. It just proved too much for Celtic on the day and it does make you wonder how far a full strength Celtic could have gone in this competition.
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