The clash between Enfield Celtic and Oldcastle United at Flomax Park on 25 May 2025 ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw, with both teams showcasing their attacking prowess and resilience. The match kicked off at 11:30 am, and the excitement was palpable as the teams took to the pitch.
Enfield Celtic lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, designed to utilise width and pace in attack while maintaining a solid defensive structure. Chris Mckeon occupied the goalkeeping position, shielded by a back four consisting of Conor Geraghty on the right, Jake McCreddin and Nathan Kearney in central defence, and Sean Mckeon on the left. The midfield trio featured Dan Carolan on the right, Evan Geraghty centrally, and Davey Morgan on the left, providing both creativity and support to the forward line. Up front, Ethan Mcloughlin and Tadhg Connolly operated as left and right forwards respectively, with Phil Conolly leading the line as the central striker. The substitutes for the match included Jack Campion, Dylan Mcdonagh, and Cian Geraghty.
The match began with Enfield Celtic asserting their dominance early on. In the 9th minute, Phil Conolly opened the scoring with a stunning lob from outside the box, expertly assisted by Dan Carolan’s short pass. This early goal set the tone for a lively encounter, with Celtic looking to build on their lead.
As the half progressed, Enfield continued to apply pressure, and in the 30th minute, Tadhg Connolly doubled their advantage. Connolly found the net with a composed finish inside the box, courtesy of another assist from Conolly, who was proving to be a key player for the home side. However, just a minute later, Chris Mckeon received a yellow card for an unspecified incident, adding a layer of tension to the match.
The first half concluded with Enfield Celtic leading 2-0, but the second half brought a dramatic turn of events. Just ten minutes after the restart, Oldcastle United pulled one back in the 55th minute through a goalmouth scramble, with the ball eventually being headed into the net. This goal ignited the visitors, who began to sense a potential comeback.
Ethan Mcloughlin, who had been a lively presence on the left flank, received a yellow card for unsporting behaviour in the 53rd minute, followed by another in the 57th for persistent infringements, leaving Enfield with ten men. The pressure mounted on the home side as Oldcastle United seized the momentum.
In the 63rd minute, Dan Carolan also found himself in the referee’s book for persistent infringements, further complicating matters for Enfield. Tactical changes ensued, with Jack Campion replacing Conor Geraghty in the 46th minute due to injury, and Dylan Mcdonagh coming on for Dan Carolan in the 68th minute. Cian Geraghty then entered the fray, taking the place of the struggling Mcloughlin in the 69th minute.
As the match approached its final stages, Nathan Kearney received a yellow card in the 74th minute for dissent, highlighting the growing frustration within the Enfield ranks. The visitors continued to press for an equaliser, and their efforts paid off when they levelled the score in the 88th minute, with another goal from a scramble in the box.
In the dying moments, Dylan Mcdonagh was cautioned for persistent infringements, and Jack Campion also received a yellow card shortly after, as tensions boiled over in a match that had become increasingly frantic. The final whistle blew with the score locked at 2-2, leaving both teams to reflect on a hard-fought encounter that showcased the competitive spirit of the league.
Tadhg Connolly was notably the standout performer for Enfield Celtic, contributing significantly to their attacking play and earning the accolade of Player of the Match. The draw leaves both teams with plenty to ponder as they look ahead to their next fixtures.
