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Clonmel Celtic's unbeaten start to the season, and with it their interest in the Munster Junior Cup, ended last Sunday when they went down 4-1 to Clonmel Town at Celtic Park. After their best ever start to the season Celtic entered this tie confident they could run Town close but sadly it was not to be as the Munster Junior Cup holders ran out comfortable winners in the end. Celtic were dealt a huge blow before kick off when keeper John Ryan failed a late fitness test and up stepped the courageous Ned Landers, the under 17 keeper. Celtic got the perfect start on 5 minutes when a Town defender lost possession under pressure from Stephen Ryan and Paul Kennedy was on hand to chip the Town keeper for an excellent finish. Town upped the tempo and were level on 15 minutes when the Celtic keeper failed to collect a free kick and Aaron Moroney bundled the ball over the line. The game developed into a lively encounter with both sides coming close, Ned Landers tipped another free kick onto the bar while at the other end Johnny Cagney had the Town keeper scrambling across the goal with a long range effort. Town took the lead on 25 minutes when Alan Coady shot low to the corner of the net and the first half ended with Town 2-1 ahead. Celtic were dealt another serious blow at half time, already without midfielder Danny Madigan, they then lost the influential Graham Doyle with an injury. Worse was to follow as his replacement Andy Cosgrave was at the centre of an incident on 51 minutes that was to have a dramatic effect on this game. Andy responded to a late challenge from Paul Scully and a free for all ensued with nearly all players getting involved. Aaron Moroney was harshly dismissed for doing no more than about 15 other players were doing, i.e. pushing and shoving. Andy Cosgrave was shown a yellow and just as the game was to restart we were treated to the sight of a Town official charging onto the field, like a child who hadn't got his way, remonstrating with the referee in an effort to get Andy Cosgrave dismissed. The referee duly obliged, because after consulting with his linesman he changed his yellow to a red and Andy Cosgrave was to play no more part in this game. How naive of us to think it was referees who made decisions and not Town officials. After this incident the game died as a spectacle. Already 2-1 down, having lost some influential players and now playing into a gale force wind there was no way back for Celtic. Town took complete control and the only real surprise was they added only 2 more. On 65 minutes Tony Reade fired home from close range following a corner and Tony Scully took full advantage of an error to make it 4-1 with 10 minutes remaining. Overall a very disappointing day for Celtic, there is no doubting Town were full value for their win but Celtic know they could have pushed them a lot harder. Best of luck to Town in the competition, I'm sure they will be there or thereabouts next spring.
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