GLENCAIRN CELTIC APRIL 2000

GLENCAIRN CELTIC


Glencairn Celtic are top of Murphy's Stout AUL 2 and are sitting on a knife edge and an extra blade could well be added any day now: Celtic are tied with Ard-na-Laoi while Strand Utd, if they win their remaining three games, will join the pair in a three way round robin play-off.



Liam O'Flynn, a teacher from St Aidan's in Ballyvolane and well known for his involvement in schools soccer, founded Glencairn in 1997 and recalls: "Our first year was uneventful with a few short cup runs. We eventually ended up in mid-table in AUL3."



That all changed in the following season. Bolstered by the signing of Fergal Giltinan (ex Cork City) and the O'Mahony brothers (Alan and Mark), Glencairn opened with a draw but then went on to win 21 games in a row to wrap the title up early.



They also began to make a name for themselves outside of the third division by reaching the last eight of the AOH where they gave eventual champions Greenmount Rangers a great game before going down 2 - 1 in front of a large crowd.



Pat Downey manages this season's side and they had two notable cup runs. Again they got to the quarter-finals of the AOH but were pipped 2 - 1 by Blarney. Defeat was also their lot in the Corinthians semi-final where they lost to eventual champions Bandon.



The league was and remains the main target and they are at least guaranteed a once off play-off with Ard-na-Laoi, both having finished on 50 points. With players such as Eoin Griffin, hot shot Damien O'Leary, Alan McCarthy, Tony Scott, and Diarmuid O'Herlihy, in their ranks, they will have a decent chance. Colm O'Farrell, Alan McCarthy, and Darragh Nolan, have all been in good form lately.



Top scorers O'Leary and O'Farrell regularly take the spotlight but Celtic boast of a mean defence and have conceded fewer goals than any of their rivals and one of the major reasons for their record is the form of keeper Kevin McTieran, "our best signing ever" according to O'Flynn.



Liam is the club's secretary while John Marsh (chairman) and Paul Buckley (treasurer) are the other officers. Based in Bishopstown they get a lot of help and support locally and are delighted to be based at the Bishopstown Community School and send out a big thank you to Pat McDonnell, the principal. Glencairn also appreciate the support from Dennehy's Bar, Bishopstown Credit Union, and Brian Birmingham.