Connaught hit right Tone to edge battle of Celts

THE promising excellence of midfield dynamo Andy Tone helped guide Connaught Celtic to a hard fought but justified victory over a battling AC Celtic Cubs side at Athlone IT last Saturday. It was young Tone who set up his team's opening goal on eight minutes and he later added a brace to see his side over the finishing line. AC Celtic had earlier equalised courtesy of a stunning free kick by Enda Malone but ultimately it was Tone's skill and poise in the final third of the field that made the difference between the teams. At under-10 level, three 15 minute periods are played instead of two halves, with both sides allowed rotate their players on a regular basis, giving every youngster an opportunity to get some football at the weekend. The opening six minutes of this tie went by without much incident with AC Celtic's Ciaran Colclough having the game's first effort in the seventh minute but his shot from distance went wide of Niall Unwin's goal. On eleven minutes, good work by Tone and team mate Szymon Zaucha created a brief opening for the former but Tone's effort was well held by home 'keeper Daniel Hickey. AC Celtic's star performer was someone with a famous Irish name, Luke Kelly, and he almost broke the deadlock following a determined run down the right side of the field, but his well struck shot was kept out by Unwin. Matters were extremely even at this stage of the contest and Connaught Celtic were next to try their luck in front of goal. This time, Tone saw his strike saved by Hickey before Jordan Cassidy's excellent drive sailed narrowly over the crossbar. The home side finished the opening third on the front foot and only a terrific save by Unwin denied Fred Kelleher a fantastic goal, with Unwin doing superbly to push Kelleher's drive over the crossbar. Connaught Celtic took control of the opening stages of the second period and Tone's early effort could have found the net had AC Celtic's defence not blocked his attempt. Corey McCarthy was also just off target as the visitors sensed a breakthrough was just around the corner. And the vital opening goal arrived in the 23rd minute. Tone won possession for Connaught Celtic down the right flank before showing enough poise to pick out the unmarked Niall Quinn and he tucked the ball past Hickey to find the net. AC Celtic were then unfortunate not to equalise just before the end of the second third. Jason Nugent's low drive was well saved by Unwin with his feet. The ball then rebounded off Nugent and could have went anywhere but unfortunately for the young AC Celtic forward it just about went wide. The home side again held the upper hand after the restart, with Luke Kelly at the heart of everything good they did. But it was a defender, Enda Malone, who eventually drew AC Celtic level. Malone's brilliantly struck free kick gave Unwin little chance as it flew past a mass of Connaught Celtic defenders - and the goalkeeper - before crashing into the roof of the net. It was an absolutely superb effort by Malone. However, AC Celtic were level for just four minutes as Connaught Celtic regained the advantage with only four minutes remaining, Tone embarking on a mazy solo run which ended with him poking the ball past the advancing Hickey. Tone was finished yet though, and made it 3-1 in the final minute following another strong run from midfield and a tidy finish. Despite a slow start to proceedings, this game had many of the qualities you would want to see at this level of football, with the young players clearly enjoying the day. And although one side has to come out on top, perhaps this was the highlight of an enjoyable game, although Tone's dynamic performance probably stole the show in this regard. AC Celtic Cubs: Daniel Hickey; Joe Carmody, Enda Malone, Jason Nugent, Stephen McGonagle, Fred Kelleher, Ciaran Colclough, Luke Kelly, Oisin Langan, Shane Duffy, Oran Greene, Keith Emerson. Connaught Celtic: Niall Unwin; Eoin Harney, Dillon Potter, Joe Mascall, Jordan Cassidy, Adam Goss, Szymon Zaucha, Corey McCarthy, Andy Tone, Niall Quinn, Conor Fitzmaurice.