Castlepollard Celtic Under 8's played their first competitive game ever on Wednesday evening against Willow Park of Athlone in the Athlone & District Football League and it proved to be a productive night with two goals from Barry Higgins giving the visitors a well deserved two nil win.

The Under 8 League is being run off over five weeks in two sections of nine teams in each. Castlepollard's first two fixtures didn't take place as they received a walkover against Ballinasloe Town and the other game against Mullingar Athletic was rained out. Twelve boys and girls traveled to Athlone along with Six adults to witness this historic first for the club.

Castlepollard started well and could have gone one up on four minutes when the very impressive Jack Barker shot just wide after good approach play from Anatolia Hahajiv. Both teams produced great excitement for the large crowd in a very even first half. Castlepollard's defense off Joe Byrne, Fiona Lawlor and Laura Coyle were not only well able to deal with all Willow Park's attacks but continuously set up Celtic's midfielders for attacks of their own. Barry Higgins and Jake Barker along with the Anatolia Hahajiv who played just behind sole striker Eion O Connell continued to have the majority of possession. The teams went in nil all at half time only because of two great saves by the Willow Park keeper from Eion O Connell and Barry Higgins late in the half.

As the under 8 league is more about the development of the players rather than winning, all players on the panel must get as much playing time as possible, as Castlepollard have a large squad they made four changes at half time bringing on Andrew Keating and Richard Clogher up front, Breean O Reilly in the middle and Owen Fagan at the back. It did not take the new players long to make an impression when after just 3 minutes of the half Andrew Keating crossed for Barker who shot just wide from inside the box. Jack Barker continued to look to open the scoring and was again unlucky a few minutes later when he ran half the length of the pitch only for the excellent Willow Park keeper to make a brave save at his feet. The visitors weren't to be denied for long when Man of the Match Barry Higgins scored with a low shot to the corner of the net after great work from Joe Byrne and Breean O Reilly to set him up. Castlepollard where now well on top and Higgins made it two nil five minutes later when he fired high into the top corner after been put through by Richard Clogher. Castlepollard weren't having it all their own way and only for a last ditch tackle by Owen Fagan just inside his box Willow Park would have had a clear shot on Jack Coyle's goal.

So a happy group of young boys and girls made the long trip back to Castlepollard knowing that all the hard work they've done in training throughout the year is paying off. The team will be at home this Friday against Hudson Bay and will continue their league program every Wednesday and Friday till May 4th.

Castlepollard Celtic. Jack Coyle, Fiona Lawlor, Joe Byrne, Laura Coyle, Jack Barker, Barry Higgins, Eion O Connell, Antolia Hahajiv, Andrew Keating, Breean O Reilly, Owen Fagan, Richard Clogher.

The Under 8's train on Monday night's up at the Mergon Factory in Castlepollard at 6pm. New players are always welcome.