Celtic fans were out in force in Santa Ponsa as they watched and celebrated victory in the Glasgow Derby.
Daizen Maeda’s goals were enjoyed just as enthusiastically in a corner of south-west Mallorca as they were inside Celtic Park.
Just like Sunday in Glasgow the sun was out early as fans prepared for the big day.
Unlike at Celtic Park you can have a beer or two as you watch with the pubs of Santa Ponsa knowing exactly what their visitors are looking for.
The top venues are easy to find. B for Brennan’s, C for Celts Well and D for Dubliner. There are other options but those three stand out with Celts Well the matchday place to be for Celts in the sun.
The Square is actually a large circular open area with a giant high quality screen the centre-piece.
Around 400 fans can sit directly watching the match. There are also plenty of indoor screens at the pub if you prefer to watch in the shade.
The outdoor seats were all filled up 40 minutes before kick-off.
Mikey Moore punctured the early excitement but within 15 minutes Yang Hyun-jun was being toasted 1,500 miles from Celtic Park.
Rather than listen to Kris Boyd at the break Jason Flood on stage. A few Celtic anthems had the holiday makers revved up for the second half.
But not quite as much as a double from Maeda early in the second half.
SANTA PONSA CELEBRATES A DOUBLE FROM MAEDA
The roars would have travelled quite a distance, breaking up a tranquil Sunday afternoon in Mallorca.
After a season that has been a grind for the most part what more could you ask for than a two goal lead in the Glasgow Derby, half an hour to enjoy sitting in the sun alongside fellow supporters?
From Palma Airport it only takes 30 minutes and 50 euros by taxi to reach Santa Ponsa, a unique resort that has Celtic and Ireland at heart.
The Mallorcan resort has a few VIP residents including Brendan Rodgers who has a place in the more exclusive side where his neighbours include Jurgen Klopp, Robert Lewandowski and Rafael Nadal.
If you haven’t visited Santa Ponsa already you owe it to yourself to do so. It really is a special slice of Paradise tucked away in the Med, less than three hours flying time from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Prestwick.
CELTS WELL, SANTA PONSA
Harry’s Big Telly at The Square is rapidly becoming one of Mallorca’s leading tourist attractions. Around 400 fans can view the action with screens at every angle inside the bar.
The regular bar duo of Marina and Katie are joined on matchdays by a full team of extra staff.
Providing the music and banter all summer long is Karl Byrne back again for his 17th season. That’s where any resemblance to James Forrest ends. He is as sharp as they come with a detailed knowledge of every town in Scotland and Ireland to catch out the regulars and visitors.
Someone recently described Karl as ‘the most likeable cheeky b**tard in the world’. Anyone that knows him will appreciate that description.
Every night a few ‘victims’ are selected for good natured banter. Getting the treatment is taken as a badge of honour in among a strong repertoire of tunes, many specially adapted to add a topical Celtic flavour.
BRENNAN’S SPORTS BAR
Along on ‘The Strip’ at Brennan’s Sports Bar Michelle runs the show. Every year it is the first bar to fully open up, this year in time for Cheltenham and St Patrick’s Day.
Brennan’s has a great outdoor set up with the music getting underway at 7 or 8 o’clock all the way through to 3am.
Fergal McCahey tends to kick things off with Pastor John, known locally as Jesus, taking the tunes indoors till closing time. Michelle spends much of her winter time in Derry, bringing over some brilliant singers for 10 days at a time.
Further up the road on the Ramon de Montcalm is The Dubliner which has multiple screens as Sonia, Sofia and Ciaran leave no stone unturned to make matchday that bit special.
THE DUBLINER
The Dubliner is more of a night time venue, from the start of April through to mid October the brilliant Mairtin O’Huigin is turning in 10 out of 10 performances alongside Darrin Cahill. It is a marathon shift from Mairtin and Darrin, the only night off they take is a day trip home to entertain at the Ballymena Shamrock.
From 9.30pm through until 3.30am the music flows, The Dubliner is popular with all ages, it even turned into the local for Fran Alonso two years ago while he was managing the Celtic Ladies team.
Una Dunne, Ciarin from Errigal, Doc McCloskey and others appear in The Dubliner for 10 to 14 days at a time with Chris from Erin Go Bragh booked in for June and July.
As well as the obvious Celtic attractions Santa Ponsa has a brilliant beach and great variety of restaurants offering up Spanish, Chinese and Italian food with a few Steak Houses and Burger places also popular.
Nearby are the resorts of Magaluf, worth an afternoon visit, Palma Nova and Camp de Mar to add some variety.
An open air YNWA is never easy!
Very surprised VAR didn’t check that Maeda boot was raised to high to score that goal,quite surprised they never calked it back for dangerous play or even screaming for a yellow or straight red,lol.