January 2006

Celtic Under 19's took on North-West Donegal junior outfit, Fanad United in a friendly. The match was arranged to mark the inauguration of the new €73,000 floodlight system at the playing fields at Tragh-a-Lough, Fanad.

The Celtic team was as follows:

Scott Fox
Paul Caddis
Paul Hutchinson
Ryan McCafferty
Dean Richardson
Gary Walsh (Dublin)
Charlie Grant
Theodor Bjarnason
Mark Millar
Paul McGowan
Jim O’Brien (Dumbarton born)

Subs All Used

Paul Skinner (Dublin)
Daniel Lafferty (Derry)
Graham Carey (Dublin)
Paul Cahillane (Dublin)
Andrew Traub
Gareth Christie (Dublin)

Coach: Willie McStay.

Jim O'Brien's goal midway through the first half, delighted the watching Celts, who had gathered and swelled the crowd to 1200 clicking through the turnstiles, while that was increased further as all the local youngsters were allowed in for free.

Celtic's goal arrived after a period of sustained pressure in which they strung together an impressive tally of passes, totalling over 20.

The ball was played to O'Brien's feet at the edge of the box and with his back to the goal, he managed to turn his marker and chip high into the net, with the aid of a slight deflection.

The young Celts controlled much of the first 45 minutes and got the reward with their well-taken goal, but play settled following the turnaround, before the under 29's produced the better of the proceedings once more as the game neared to its final passages.

Coach Willie McStay said "All in all we received top-class treatment while we were over and there are loads of people to thank, but a special mention must go to Fr. Michael Sweeney who is a big figure behind the scenes at Fanad United and it was he who performed the opening ceremony for their new floodlights.
And I can't let the occasion go without thanking Paddy Sweeney of the Donegal Association of Celtic Supporters who really went out of his way in making us feel right at home."

The scoreline wasn't added to though and Dumbarton born Irishman Jim O'Brien had the privilege of being the only scorer on the night Fanad United put on their new floodlights.

Fanad issued an excellent coloured match programme for €2.

The Fanad Peninsula lies between Lough Swilly and Mulroy Bay on the north coast of Co. Donegal, Republic of Ireland