Celtic hopes are damaged

THE Hoops further damaged their promotion hopes drawing 0-0 with Armagh City leaving Celtic sitting seventh in the table.

In what was an uneventful first half both Downey and Daniel Ryan had to be replaced because of injury with Boyd and Ryan Murphy replacing them.

Substitute Murphy went on to have his best game in a Celtic shirt since he re-joined last season

The Hoops were still unable to make the breakthrough in the second half, while the visitors were showing some danger down the flanks but Jonny McAreavey, McAnallen and Fra Brennan dealt with the threat.

Brendan Mackin burst through at the heart of the City defence and won a free kick for the home side in the final stages of the game.

Niall Lavery sent the ball narrowly wide and crashing into the side netting from the resulting free kick, probably the best effort on goal during the game to end a frustrating day for the Hoops.

The result may leave the Lurgan side sitting seventh but they have three games in hand over Queens and with the top sides all due to play each other in the remaining five weeks of the season, the race for promotion will go right down to the wire.

Next week Celtic are away to Moyola Park in a must win game. Brennan, McEvoy and Fitzpatrick will all miss out through suspension, while Downey and McCann will both be unlikely to take any further part this season.

Lurgan Celtic play PSNI on Tuesday, April 3 at Knockramer Park. KO 6.15pm.