*Dan Frost, Jamie Cronin, Seamus Considine and Eoin Kelly with some of their youngest supporters. Photograph: Joe Buckley
NEWMARKET CELTIC B were crowned First Division champions for the sixth time.
League success for Newmarket Celtic’s second string was confirmed last month, they got their hands on the Banner Fire First Division trophy following their final game of the season versus Manus Celtic at McDonough Memorial Park, Newmarket-on-Fergus.
Sixteen wins from eighteen outings saw Celtic finish top of the table with forty nine points to their credit. Their only loss of the league run ironically was in their final outing when they lost 2-1 to Manus Celtic, Ciaran McCoy getting their goal in additional time while they missed a penalty in the opening ten minutes.
Although they finished thirteen points ahead of second placed Fair Green Celtic, Newmarket will not be promoted to the top tier, instead they will be bidding to win a third First Division title in as many years. Third placed Ennis Dons will also be making the jump to the top tier.
Managed by Monty Mulqueen with Brian Arthur and Dan Frost part of his management, Newmarket Celtic B produced a strong season which saw them deservedly crowned as league champions. Their 2025 success follows previous First Division wins in 1987, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2024.
Many of their players such as Seamus Considine, Alan Kelly, Eoin Kelly and Ciaran McCoy have lined out for the club’s first team in the past. The side was also boosted this year by the addition of Éanna Crimmins at centre-half along with Conor McCarthy’s continued high-scoring form.
Also included in their squad is former Kennedy Cup defender Brendan Harkin, captain Jamie Cronin and his brother Lee, the versatile Killian Howard, FAI Junior Cup winner Martin McCarthy plus the youthful crop of Cian Foley, David Gilbert, Lee Cregan, Ché Burke and Ciaran Russell.
All photographs by Joe Buckley
