Burrin Celtic League Champions

Promoted from Nationalist Division at the end of last season, Burrin Celtic returned to the Carlow People Premier in style to deservedly take the title of League Champions for 2008.

Despite a slow start to their season taking only five points from their first four games with draws against Stretford Utd and Slaney Rovers, a loss to eventual runners up Parkville Utd and a win against Killeshin, Burrin Celtic put together a number of great victories during the remainder of the season, particularly two wins over the reigning champions Crettyard United. In October they defeated Crettyard 5-2 in The Valley. This victory along with urgings of Johnny Nolan and his management team, gave the Ballon lads the extra belief required at a crucial time. As the season drew to the half way stage there were five teams in contention, Parkville, Crettyard, Bagenalstown, Burrin Celtic and New Oak in that order from top.

The second half of Celtic’s league campaign was awesome, starting with a win in January away to St. Fiacc’s then an all important 1-0 victory over Parkville in February at The Valley, the first of two milestones in there successful search for honours. A very much improving Hanover took some of the shine off Celtic in early March when the points were shared in the Plots, but the driving force of the Premier top scorer of Alan Kelly along with Brendan Barry, Armour McFarland, Ross Nolan and Marcin Bieniasz just to name a few from what was transpiring to be an excellent overall team, saw Celtic move into third place, nine points behind the leaders Parkville United, but with two games in hand by the middle of March. The improvement of Burrin continued through March with the second milestone taking place on the third week of the month when they had their second league victory over the reigning champions Crettyard and by the end of the month they were sharing top spot with Parkville, both with thirty four points. Further victories over Killeshin, Bagenalstown and Stretford gave them the points to see them richly deserve the honour of been crowned League Champions for the third time in the club’s history. Like all league titles, they are not won or lost in one or two games at the end of a season, but from the whole league season’s campaign. This honour for Burrin Celtic was won with desire and commitment from a team and club that has been developing at all levels of the game. Their new grounds and clubhouse when fully completed will be of a high standard fit to facilitate any top class soccer fixture, thanks to the efforts of the hard working committee spearheaded by Seamus Cummins as Chairman and Alice Nolan as Secretary.

Sat 17
Diamond Woodcraft U/18 Runners-Up Decider (e.t.p)

Venue: Neutral, announced later.

Sun 18
Douglas Jewellers Carlow Cup (e.t.p.)
 

Venue: Hawkins Lane, Tullow

Premier Relegation/Promotion Play-Off Rd. 2 (e.t.p)

Ladies Football

Following on from the growing success of the O/35 Division, the League is now keen to establish a Women’s Division with teams consisting of players 18 years and upwards for next season. The Division will play on alternative Sunday’s, afternoon kick-offs, to the O/35 Division, for League and Cup titles. The teams will also be eligible to enter outside cup competitions and will be affiliated to the F.A.I. by the League.

For further information please contact League Secretary at 0876686590 or 0599140746 before June 13 at the latest.