SOMETIMES it takes just a small spark to light a flame and that has certainly been the case with Brian Batten's Swords Celtic team who currently enjoy a 100 per cent record in their U-10f division.

Celtic had a rather shaky start to the season when losing their first three cups game, but since the arrival of Josh Piper, Celtic have not looked back and Batten was full of praise for his new signing.

'Josh has made a huge difference to the team and has given the players around him so much confidence

'He is a very strong lad who gets in plenty of tackles but what impressed me most was his attitude

'It can be difficult settling into a new team but he has been brilliant from day one and even scored two goals for us against Drumcondra when we moved him up front.

'And Harry Nugent is another to have impressed me. He only came in at the end of last season and even though he wasn't registered to play he would turn up at every training session and watch the lads.'

Swords kept a clean sheet in that game against Drumcondra and overall their defence has been very strong with just four conceded so far.

Ross Mc Cabe (his father Stephen helps Brian on the sideline) is this year's captain and has made the left wing position his own while Robbie Stapleton and Ross McCabe have banged in eleven goals between them.

Overall Batten is very happy with the progress of the team. 'Since they went to ninea-side they are much better equipped defensively.

'Before an opposition player would have the room to get past them, but we are better set up now. I have been with this group five years now and I have to say I'm enjoying it more than ever.'

And as a measure of how far this team has progressed, there have been two victories over Portmarnock who twice got the better than them last year.

So plenty to look forward to in the new year and particularly for Brian Batten when he gets to play against his cousin William Doyle who is on the Maynooth town team.

SQUAD: David Batten, Luke Mullen, John Piper, Craig Wright, Anbu Sundar, Luke Weldon, Ross McCabe, Robert Stapleton, Ryan Bolton, Karl Leech, Alex Vivash, Harry Nugent.