On 16 March 2025, Enfield Celtic faced Duleek AFC in a gripping tournament match held at the Duleek AFC ground, kicking off at 11:30 am. Despite a valiant effort, Enfield Celtic succumbed to a 2-1 defeat, leaving them to reflect on missed opportunities and tactical adjustments.
Enfield Celtic lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for creativity in attack. Jody Campion took his place in goal, shielded by a back four comprising Jack Campion on the right, Nathan Kearney and Jake McCreddin in central defence, and Sean Mckeon on the left. The midfield duo of Davey Morgan and Evan Geraghty was tasked with controlling the centre of the park, while the attacking trio featured Danny Maguire on the right, Ciaran Gorman in the central role, and Tadhg Connolly on the left, supporting lone striker Phil Conolly.
The substitutes for Enfield Celtic included Conor Geraghty, Chris Browne, Arnold Mola, and David Borda, who were poised to make an impact as the match unfolded.
The match began with Duleek AFC asserting their dominance early on. Just six minutes in, they broke the deadlock with a well-placed goal from inside the box, scored with a precise right-footed shot. This early setback forced Enfield Celtic to regroup and find their rhythm.
As the first half progressed, Enfield struggled to create clear-cut chances, with Duleek AFC maintaining their lead comfortably. The half-time whistle blew at 45 minutes, with the scoreline reading 1-0 in favour of the visitors.
The second half commenced with Enfield Celtic looking to respond, but it was Duleek AFC who struck again shortly after the restart. In the 51st minute, they doubled their advantage with a stunning right-footed effort from outside the area, leaving Jody Campion with little chance to react. Enfield now faced a daunting task, trailing 2-0.
In a tactical move, Enfield Celtic made their first substitution in the 54th minute, bringing on Conor Geraghty for Jack Campion, aiming to bolster their attacking options. Just five minutes later, Enfield finally found the net; Phil Conolly scored in the 59th minute, converting a short pass from Davey Morgan with a left-footed shot inside the box. This goal reignited hope for the home side, narrowing the deficit to 2-1.
In a bid to maintain momentum, Enfield made another change in the 59th minute, with Chris Browne replacing Danny Maguire. The substitutions were aimed at injecting fresh energy into the team as they sought an equaliser.
However, the match took a turn for the worse for Enfield in the 63rd minute when Jake McCreddin was forced off due to injury, leading to Arnold Mola entering the fray. Despite the disruption, Enfield continued to push forward, searching for that elusive equaliser.
As the match wore on, Enfield made their final substitution in the 75th minute, with David Borda coming on for Sean Mckeon. The tactical adjustments were evident as Enfield pressed for a late goal, but Duleek AFC's defence held firm.
In a dramatic conclusion, Danny Maguire received a yellow card for a bad tackle in the 94th minute, a reflection of the frustration felt by Enfield as they struggled to break down their opponents. The final whistle blew shortly after, confirming a 2-1 victory for Duleek AFC.
Despite the defeat, Jody Campion was a standout performer for Enfield Celtic, showcasing his skills and determination throughout the match. The result leaves Enfield Celtic with much to ponder as they look to regroup and improve in their upcoming fixtures.
