N.Y. GAAWasteful Celtics fall to Monaghan

By John Markey

Monaghan 1-13, Celtics 1-11 A last-minute penalty miss was enough to sum up Celtics afternoon Sunday at Gaelic Park. Once again, Donie O’Sullivan’s side had brought themselves to the brink of a Div. II football victory only for their inadequacies in front of goal to deny them once again.

A fancied Monaghan side were put under constant pressure and were not allowed to settle into the impressive football they had displayed in their previous outing. But with Celtics squandering too many chances in front of goal, the Ulster side were able to take full advantage.

Both traded early scores before Hughie O’Sullivan found himself free to volley to the net. Further scores from Paul McGlynn and Ray Kelly had the Monaghan side four points to the good at halftime. They continued to hold the advantage, but a concerted late Celtics challenge almost paid dividends. Aidan Traynor found the back of the net from long range, and with Paddy Donahue gaining a lot of possession on the square, the Celtics managed to force themselves into the lead. Monaghan replied, and with two points separating the sides, Donahue was upended and a penalty awarded. But it wasn’t to be Celtics’ day.

Gary Birdy, Mickey Traynor, Hughie O’Sullivan, Paul McGlynn, Ray Kelly and Emmet McEvaney had a fine outing for Monaghan. John Riordan, Brian Montgomery, Aidan Traynor, Danny O

Sullivan, Paddy Donahue and David O’Sullivan tried hard for Celtics.

Monaghan scorers: H. O’Sullivan 1-1, P. McGlynn 0-3, E. McEvaney 0-3, R. Kelly 0-2, N. McEntee, E. Murphy, PJ Rogers and E. McCormack all 0-1.

Celtics: David O’Sullivan 0-5, A. Traynor 1-1, P. Donahue 0-2, K. Cox, Danny O’Sullivan and L. Neenan all 0-1.