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Celtic FC, formerly Goldsmitty and A&R Smitty, fired an early salvo in the defence of their title when they overpowered home side and newcomers John Hughes 6-1 in the lone match to be completed on Sunday in the Championship Cup of the Warriors Cup 2011 after Tropical Storm Irene hit the tournament on the weekend. 

 

The weather system forced the postponement of the Opening Ceremony and four of the six matches scheduled for Saturday and Sunday and although there was action in the Bethesda-5Ps game at English Harbour on Sunday, the match ended prematurely after Bethesda, who were leading 2-1, complained that the water level was too high and opted not to continue. The referee has no option but to end the game before the start of the second half.

 

However, on a saturated but playable surface, John Hughes managed to contain attacking forays of Celtics – who have changed their name so as not to conflict with their former sponsor – until the interval but on resumption the St Clair “Nashie” Christian-coached side went on the onslaught.

 

Uroy Peters, who had given Celtics a 15-minute lead when he capitalized on the opposition defenders hesitancy to clear the danger, added a second to make it 4-0 after 52 minutes in a spell in which his side scored four goals in 13 minutes.

 

Daryl Martin increased Celtics lead a minute after the re-start before Seon Sam put them 3-0 ahead on 50 minutes. Edgar Selano added the fifth in the 58th minute as John Hughes appeared too generous in the second-half.

 

Tokeya Furlong won and converted a penalty on 80 minutes to make 5-1 but there was still time for Darren Stevens to hit the sixth with a minute to go.

 

In Monday’s matches, last year’s beaten finalists, Bullets, oppose debutants Hill Top of the Grays Green community, at 4:45pm, before Hoppers, the first winners of the Warriors Cup, take on Fort Road, another of the nine new entrants.

 

Meanwhile, Organisers have expressed thanks to Rupert “King Swallow” Philo, the Elite Dancers and the media for showing up for Saturday’s formal opening which will be rescheduled for a later date.