*Manager Alan Gough (centre) alongside Chairman Jody Halpin, goalkeeper coach Johnny Ryan, coach Mark McKeogh, medic Martin Cooney, S&C coach Aaron Ryan and kit man Owen McCarthy. Photograph: Joe Buckley.
WINNING a Premier Division title in his first season as Newmarket Celtic manager was an achievement for Alan Gough but doing so by going unbeaten in the league marked a historic feat.
Newmarket Celtic lifted the Maloney Hardware Premier Division title on Friday, defeating Bridge Utd 2-1 but their fate as champions was sealed a fortnight previous when their Sixmilebridge opponents dropped points to Avenue Utd.
From their sixteen game run in the league, Newmarket recorded fourteen wins and two draws to finish with forty four points. Bridge Utd finished in second spot on thirty seven points, Avenue were third on thirty six with Tulla Utd in fourth for the second year running on thirty three points.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, Alan Gough admitted he was very happy to see Newmarket crowned Premier Division champions. “I wouldn’t say it was the target at the start of the season was to win the league, the target when I spoke to you at the start of the season was the big points deficit between ourselves and Avenue Utd last year and it was to try claw that back, the effort the players have put in this year, the workrate, the desire, they deserve great credit and they are a credit to themselves, to their families and to the football club”.
According to the former Longford Town FC manager, the approach never changed in targeting league success. “We just looked at the next game every week, the next training session, we never looked too far ahead and we tried to stay in the present at all times and that again is credit to the boys, we never got ahead of our ourselves and looked at the next game and how we could get more organised for it”.
Ending the campaign unbeaten was very pleasing for the very Portsmouth and Fulham goalkeeper. “I don’t know if it has ever been done before and it was something we were very keen to do to be perfectly honest with you. Coming down here, it was a difficult game and to be fair to the Bridge, they didn’t have a lot to play for but they played very well and that is credit to them, their club, their management. We have them in two weeks time in the semi-final of the Cup and that will be a very difficult game. The boys deserve tonight, it is not very often you win a league championship, it is three years since the club last won it so we will enjoy it and the celebrations over the next few days”.
Squad depth certainly improved for Celtic this season, fifteen year old Kelvin Mulqueen scored their equaliser in Friday’s game before Éanna Crimmins headed home the winner. “I think Kelvin deserves special mention, we spoke before the game about Eoin Hayes, Kevin Harnett absolute warrior, David McCarthy and then the transition to a fifteen year old kid who got an unbelievable goal, he has come on and done bits and pieces for us this year but to do what he did tonight was exceptional, a wonderful talent, needs to work hard, needs to keep his feet on the ground, he has all the attributes and it is great credit to all the coaches working with Newmarket that they are bringing kids of that quality through”.
Reflecting on his first season with Newmarket Celtic, Gough commented of the club, “Fantastic people, they couldn’t do enough for you. Jack Kelly our captain spoke of the support that we got down in St Michael’s, I’ve never seen anything like it with a Junior club in my life, they have been very welcoming, very warm people and I’ve really enjoyed the year I’ve had with them”.
A Clare Cup semi-final with Bridge Utd is to be played next weekend and that becomes the focus for Newmarket as they target a double. “We will worry about that a little bit down the line. Winning leagues is very difficult so the lads need to enjoy this and rightfully so. We know we will have a very difficult game against Bridge in two weeks time”.
Injuries ruled out Eoin Hayes and Kevin Harnett from the last game of the league while David McCarthy was forced off with a calf injury. “The two boys are struggling with injury at the minute to be honest with you, again we rested them tonight and we had no need to play them because of the situation we were in. Kevin Harnett is an absolute warrior, Eoin Hayes got a hat-trick against Tulla a few weeks ago and people told me it was vintage Eoin Hayes like he played ten years ago, it is great credit to the boys and to the staff that we have, Aaron Ryan our S&C is looking after these boys and making sure they don’t max out, they have come in and been absolute colossus’ for us this year”.
