In Toronto Celtic's epic match against Operario in the Semi Final of the TSSL Cup, the victory was achieved through a combination of dogged determination, strictly following a tactical plan and the right attitude. And, perhaps, against Operario too much of these resources were exhausted as almost as unrecognizable Toronto Celtic showed up in the green tinted TSSL Cup final clash with Toronto Irish.
The tone of the TSSL's show piece was set even before a ball was kicked. Toronto Irish arrived early doors, keenly running excercise drills against a back drop of tardy Toronto Celtic voyeurs. You might get away with it in a friendly, or against mediocre opposition, but Toronto Celtic were facing the newly crowned league champions and a lack of preparation would be to their detriment.
And it didn't take to long for Toronto Irish to show the benefits of preparation and fitness. Being First to the ball – a prerequisite for succeeding in any game of football – is often presumptuously bellowed out by managers, players and supporters alike. But this ability, this knack to be first to the ball comes from putting the work in before hand, it isn't just granted as some divine right. A theory Toronto Irish proved in the opening minutes as they zipped the ball around and mopped up the loose ball. With such a bright start and a sluggish offering from Toronto Celtic, it was of little surprise when Toronto Irish took the lead inside 5 minutes. With men committed forward, Toronto Celtic lost the ball in midfield, which Toronto Irish quickly pounced on, launching a decisive counter attack like a poised trap. With the Toronto Celtic midfield trying in vain to scurry back in to position, Toronto Irish picked out a cute through ball to the lively Burke, who kept his composure and calmly stroked the ball past the on rushing Chihombora in goal.
After the opening goal, Toronto Celtic continued to struggle with ball retention, and frustrations soon boiled over as the freekicks started to add up across the middle of the park, while Curley duly picked up what seems to be his routine yellow. A booking that would later come back to haunt the battling Toronto Celtic midfielder.
With half time rapidly approaching and Toronto Irish unlucky not to extend their lead on more than one occasion thanks to heroics from Chihombora in goal, Toronto Celtic were handed a life line. Makhumene, who was largely proving to cut an isolated figure up front, sprung into action down the inside right channel after a measured pass from Murphy. The laid back rangy stride of Makhumene allowed him to roll his marker, only to be hauled to the ground in the box. The referee promptly signaled for a penalty.
Despite the delay, and a bit of sledging from the Toronto Irish players as Brooks lined up his penalty, he kept his nerve and tucked the ball into the bottom left corner, sending the sides in at half time all square.
HT: Toronto Celtic 1-1 Toronto Irish
Playing against a strong wind and a gentle up hill slope, Toronto Celtic kicked off the second half at Weston Lions Park. However, any encouragement gained by the equaliser before half time was quickly suppressed as Toronto Irish quickly regained their lead after Celtic failed to clear their lines. A direct ball was knocked into the box, which Monaghan could only clear to the edge of the area with a stooping header, where a Toronto Irish player was loitering. Striking the ball first time on the volley, the Toronto Irish forward leathered the ball home into the bottom left corner. An unstoppable effort.
At 2-1 Toronto Celtic still had everything to play for, but in what was already a struggling battle became even more prohibitive when they succumbed to their own indiscipline. Curley, already on a yellow, managed to get himself involved in a challenge in the centre circle, which despite professed innocence brought a second yellow from a no nonsense referee. I didnt witness the incident with my own eyes, as my attention was drawn by the initial challenge involving O'Brien. However, what I would say is that this could well have been a case of tackles adding up for Curley throughout the game, as on more than one occasion he had been lucky not to have already been given his marching orders for some full blooded tackles. Curley was walking a tight rope, and you could make the argument that had it not been this tackle, another tackle was probably lurking around the next corner. Unfortunately, for Celtic, it meant they would not only be a goal down against a very well drilled Toronto Irish side, but they would have to also endure being a man short for a good 30 plus minutes.
Toronto Celtic were now chasing the game and the gaps soon started to appear as they became stretched. With Toronto Irish in control, the sucker punch was delivered as a third goal all but erased any hopes of a Celtic come back. A cross from the right picked out an Irish forward just outside the six yard box who leaped unopposed to finish with a planted header into the top right corner. Chihombora was left rooted.
By this point it was fast becoming an exercise in damage limitation as Irish mounted wave after wave of attacks. Chihombora, on more than one occasion spared Celtic's blushes with some sublime one on one saves. But there was only so much Chihombora could withstand, and Toronto Irish eventually finished off the rout with a fourth after a break-away left a simple finish.
Eventually the referee put Celtic out of their misery, handing the TSSL Cup to the deserved victors, Toronto Irish. The red card definitely swung the momentum in Toronto Irish's favour, but credit has to be given to a well organised, talented team. For Celtic it was one step too many, but in the disappointment of missing out on the biggest Cup on offer from the TSSL, they can take some consolation in the fact that the opportunity to even contest a final might not have arisen, given that the club almost folded before the season kicked off. Finishing 4th and reaching the final of TSSL Cup is still a fine achievement, especially in such perilous circumstances.
FT: Toronto Celtic 1-4 Toronto Irish