Hanover Harps 2

Dolmen Celtic 2

Celtic recovered from 2-0 down at the break to claim a point thanks to a brace from Joe Doran, the second one a real beauty.

Hanover dominated for long periods in the first half and should really have been further ahead at half time. The opening goal arrived on 25 minutes, Conor Clack’s pinpoint cross from the left was headed home by Mark Kelly. Cathal Coughlan flashed a 25-yard volley inches wide moments later before Harps did get their second, Eoghan Byrne firing low across Jamie Hennessy into the bottom corner for 2-0. Harps kept the pressure up and another cross from Clack found the head of Kelly again, this time though it flew inches the wrong side of the post.

The opening stages of the second half were fairly low key but the introduction of Kevin Power and Paul Core sparked some life into the Celtic team and with 20 minutes left they got back into the match. Keelan Lacey’s cross wasn’t dealt with by the Harps rear guard and Doran pounced on the loose ball to make it 2-1. Lacey almost levelled the game shortly afterwards but his curling effort came back off the crossbar. Harps had chances of their own, Vincent Oba coming closest as his strike from the edge of the area was tipped around the post by Hennessy for a corner. With ten minutes left the sides were level, Power’s long throw from the left was only partially cleared and Doran threw himself into the air as his scissor kick flew in off the underside of the crossbar for 2-2. Mark Kelly saw his close rage effort saved as Harps went in search of a winner but on the balance of play in the second half a draw was probably a fair result.

Best for Hanover included Adam McCarron, Conor Clack, Johnny Waters and Stephen Chalton. Celtic had solid showings from Jamie Hennessy, Graham Delaney, Keelan Lacey and Joe Doran.