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Clonmel Celtic collected a very significant 3 points in Thurles last Sunday with a hard fought victory against Peake Villa. After last week's disappointment this was more like Celtic who put in a battling performance to hold onto a lead given to them in the 25th minute by Paul Kennedy. Villa started brightly and Emerson Kirby had to display a safe pair of hands as he saved two early efforts from the Thurles side. Celtic first attempt on goal came on 13 minutes when Andy Cosgrave found Ross Doyle and although he did well to get his header on target it lacked any power to trouble the keeper. On 25 minutes Celtic got the all important breakthrough with an excellently worked goal. The industrious Andy Cosgrave played a ball over the full back to Eddie Doyle. The winger did well to beat his man and even better to get a cross in which was volleyed to he net by Paul Kennedy. Villa came back immediately but the Celtic defence held firm. On 40 minutes a flashing header by Andy Cosgrave from an Eddie Doyle free kick nearly gave Celtic a two goal interval lead. Celtic had to display all their battling qualities in the second half but in truth Villa never managed any sustained pressure on a brilliant Celtic defence. Unlike last week Celtic did carry a threat when they broke forward and Paul Kennedy nearly scored a fine individual effort on 51 minutes when he curled a long range effort inches over. Villa, still not clear of the danger zone, upped the pressure but Celtic responded with one of their finest defensive displays of the season with Ian McCallum in particular outstanding at right back. Celtic nearly sealed it on 84 minutes when from a break Andy Cosgrave found Ross Doyle in space but his shot was well saved by the Villa keeper with Paul Kennedy just failing to meet the rebound. If Celtic can repeat this performance next Sunday they could be very close to safety. In defence Celtic were excellent although one goal from their last three outings shows Celtic have problems up front although that this is by no means a criticism of Ross Doyle and Paul Kennedy who put in fine performances last Sunday.
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