In a gripping cup encounter at Flomax Park on 28 February 2025, Enfield Celtic faced off against Ardee Celtic, ultimately succumbing to a 2-1 defeat. The match, which kicked off at 8:00 PM, saw both teams battle fiercely, but it was the visitors who emerged victorious, leaving Enfield Celtic to reflect on missed opportunities.
Enfield Celtic lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for attacking flair. Sean Coyle took his position between the posts, shielded by a back four consisting of Jack Campion on the right, Shane Molloy and Sean O'Shea in central defence, and Conor Geraghty on the left. The midfield trio featured Dan Carolan on the right, Evan Geraghty centrally, and Phil Conolly on the left, tasked with linking play and supporting the forwards. Up front, Danny Maguire operated on the right, Ciaran Gorman led the line as the striker, and Ethan Mcloughlin occupied the left forward position. The substitutes for the match included Sean Mckeon, Sean McRedmond, Paul Burdett, David Borda, and Jake McCreddin.
The match began with Ardee Celtic asserting their dominance early on. In the 13th minute, they broke the deadlock with a well-placed left-footed shot from inside the box, leaving Coyle with little chance to respond. This early goal set the tone for a challenging evening for Enfield Celtic, who struggled to find their rhythm in the opening stages.
As the first half progressed, Enfield Celtic sought to regain control, but their efforts were hampered when Sean O'Shea received a yellow card for unsporting behaviour in the 27th minute. This incident added pressure to the home side as they approached the half-time break, trailing 1-0.
The teams went into the interval with Ardee Celtic holding the advantage, and Enfield Celtic knew they needed to regroup and come out fighting in the second half. The tactical adjustments began in the 58th minute when Sean Mckeon replaced O'Shea, aiming to bolster the defence and inject fresh energy into the side.
However, Enfield's hopes were dashed again in the 67th minute when Ardee Celtic scored their second goal, this time from a close-range header that left Coyle helpless. The visitors' ability to capitalise on set pieces proved decisive, and Enfield found themselves in a precarious position, trailing 2-0.
In a bid to change the course of the match, Enfield Celtic made further substitutions. Dan Carolan received a yellow card for persistent infringements in the 65th minute, adding to the frustrations of the home side. Shortly after, in the 66th minute, Sean McRedmond came on for Danny Maguire, followed by Paul Burdett replacing Conor Geraghty and David Borda coming on for Shane Molloy in the 82nd minute. Jake McCreddin rounded off the changes by taking the place of Jack Campion in the 83rd minute.
Despite the substitutions, Enfield struggled to find their footing, and in the 88th minute, Ethan Mcloughlin was shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour, further compounding the home side's woes. However, in a dramatic twist, Mcloughlin redeemed himself in stoppage time, converting a penalty in the 91st minute after a short pass from Sean Mckeon. This goal provided a glimmer of hope for Enfield Celtic, but it was too little, too late.
As the final whistle blew, Enfield Celtic were left to ponder their missed chances and the lessons learned from a hard-fought cup tie. Ardee Celtic celebrated their victory, having effectively managed the game and capitalised on their opportunities. The match showcased the resilience of both teams, but ultimately, it was Ardee Celtic who progressed, leaving Enfield Celtic to regroup and focus on their next challenge.
