| Match Pictures | Matches: 1951 – 1952 | 1951-52 Pictures |
Trivia
- Belfast Celtic were effectively dissolved in 1949 following the infamous Boxing Day 1948 game against Linfield, when Linfield fans invaded the pitch and attacked Belfast Celtic players.
- This game was one of a number played by the former Belfast Celtic players against full time opponents.
- See Link: Belfast Celtic.
- Technically this was “Ex-Belfast Celtic” Celtic were playing against, but for just one last day that is best left aside.
- The game was played at a warm and sunny Celtic Park in Belfast
Review
Jock Stein had an outstanding game by all reports. The Belfast Celtic were no easy push over but the Celtic defence was strong throughout. Glasgow Celtic were over-elaborate upfront with lots of passing and interplay but rarely troubled McAlinden in the Belfast goal. After 15 minutes McAlinden made a brilliant save from Fernie, the ball going for a corner, and Walsh’s corner kick was turned into the net by Tully.
A few minutes later Fernie lobbed the keeper to make it 0-2. Belfast Celtic pulled a goal back on 26 minutes when McMoran made a run down the left wing and centred for O’Neill to score from close range. On 34 minutes they were level following some neat footwork from Denver who shimmied past Stein to sidefoot the goal.
Tully never came out for the second half with Bertie Peacock taking his place. On 57 minutes Glasgow took the lead when McAlinden dropped a corner from Duncan and the ball rolled into the net. Campbell went off with a pulled muscle late in the second half and his place was taken by Kevin McGarry.
The pace of the game slackened in the second half due to the heat.
A sad occasion, it was the end of a glorious club and a forewarning to [Glasgow] Celtic and its sympathisers of a possible fate if they did not hold their own.
Teams
Belfast Celtic:
McAlinden; Galloway, Ahearne; Currie, Vernon, Lawlor; Campbell, Denver; McMoran, O’Neill, Bonnar.
Scorers: O’Neill (26),
Celtic:
Bonnar; Boden, Rollo; Millsopp, Stein, Baillie; Walsh, Fernie, Fallon, Tully, Duncan.
Scorers: Tully (15), Fernie (17), Duncan (57)
Referee:
Attendance: 30,000
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
Pictures
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