On 4th July 2025, Enfield Celtic faced off against BJD Celtic in a pulsating cup away match at Flomax Park, emerging victorious with a scoreline of 4-3. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, showcasing both teams' attacking prowess and defensive frailties.
Enfield Celtic lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, which saw Sean Coyle stationed in goal. The back four comprised Jack Campion as the right defender, with Sean O'Shea and Nathan Kearney forming the central defensive partnership, while Conor Geraghty occupied the left defender position. In midfield, Evan Geraghty played on the right, Dylan Mcdonagh took up a central role, and Sean Mckeon was positioned on the left. Up front, Ethan Mcloughlin and Tadhg Connolly flanked striker Ciaran Gorman. This formation allowed for a fluid attacking style, with the wingers expected to stretch the play and the midfield trio tasked with controlling the tempo.
The substitutes for Enfield Celtic included Cian Geraghty, Sam Jordan, Dan Carolan, Sean McRedmond, and David Borda, providing depth and tactical options for the manager as the match progressed.
The action began early, with Dylan Mcdonagh opening the scoring for Enfield Celtic in the 17th minute. A deft right-footed finish inside the box, following a short pass from himself, set the tone for an exciting encounter. However, just moments later, BJD Celtic responded with a stunning equaliser, scoring from outside the area with a left-footed strike that left the goalkeeper with no chance.
As the match unfolded, Nathan Kearney found himself in the referee's book for persistent infringements in the 25th minute, a decision that added to the tension on the pitch. Shortly after, Enfield Celtic was forced into an early substitution due to injury, with Cian Geraghty replacing Ciaran Gorman in the 26th minute.
As the first half drew to a close, Sean Mckeon restored Enfield's lead in the 41st minute, converting a flick from Cian Geraghty with a precise left-footed shot inside the box. This goal sent Enfield Celtic into the break with a 2-1 advantage, but the drama was far from over.
The second half commenced with Enfield Celtic continuing to press, and Tadhg Connolly extended their lead to 3-1 just five minutes after the restart. A well-timed short pass from Ethan Mcloughlin set Connolly up perfectly for a right-footed finish inside the box.
As the match progressed, Enfield Celtic made tactical substitutions, bringing on Sam Jordan for Sean Mckeon in the 65th minute, followed by Dan Carolan replacing Nathan Kearney in the 72nd minute. Sean McRedmond and David Borda also entered the fray, with both players coming on for Ethan Mcloughlin in the 75th minute, as Enfield looked to maintain their lead.
However, BJD Celtic refused to back down and pulled a goal back in the 80th minute, scoring a fluke from outside the box that caught the Enfield defence off guard. This was compounded by a yellow card for Enfield's goalkeeper, Sean Coyle, for unsporting behaviour shortly after, adding to the mounting pressure.
With the clock ticking down, BJD Celtic equalised in dramatic fashion in the 89th minute, scoring another fluke goal that left the match finely poised at 3-3. Just when it seemed that the match would end in a draw, Enfield Celtic found a late winner, sealing a thrilling 4-3 victory that showcased their resilience and attacking flair.
In a match filled with twists and turns, Jack Campion emerged as the standout performer, demonstrating solid defensive skills and leadership throughout the encounter. Enfield Celtic's victory not only secured their place in the next round of the cup but also highlighted their potential as a formidable force in the competition.
