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Celtic finally beat Collinstown but it takes a top performance to do so
Having made their debut in the Division with a fine draw against Greystones Utd the Castleknock U12’s were on the road again this week against Collinstown FC. The opposition, aside from being one of the Divisions Top teams had last season done the double in the league against the Celts as well as dumping them out of the Cup on their way a wonderful Double. So with this background it was an excited group of Players and Supporters that made their way on a sunny Spring morning over to Collinstown for the big game of the day. The omens were not good as the dynamic Andre Ungareanu was missing, while 5 year veteran and midfield maestro, Luke Hughes was declared unfit and would miss his first game ever in Castleknock colours. This team has character but surely today that character would be hugely tested.
The game settled into a pattern early on – Collinstown enjoying more possession and an overly respectful Celtic relying on quick breaks. Despite Collinstown being on top Celtic drew first blood. Ace marksman Esse Okirikpo was released , the youngster rounded the keeper only to be tackled a la Brian O’ Driscoll. PENALTY. Who would take it? “ME” shouted Mighty “Maccer” Mc Gregor. With the heart of a lion and the courage of his convictions Ryan planted the ball home with consummate ease. 0-1. Minutes later it was nearly two. Tara O’ Hanlon rose to head the ball home, beating the keeper only for the effort to be cleared off the line. Collinstown re-grouped and with 5 minutes of the half remaining got their due reward as Castleknock failed to clear the ball with their midfielder driving the ball home. 1-1. With the Castleknock defence lying too deep the Celts were now losing the midfield battle and the home team sought to capitalise. As the half ran out Max “the Cat” Ostaphchuk made two fine saves to keep the home team at bay. HT: 1-1
The start to the second half would be crucial. If Collinstown scored first one feared for the Celts on the other hand a goal for the Celts may give them confidence to go on and win the game. A goal came. Conor Simmonds did a clever 1-2 with Caitlin LaBont before Conor took the return pass before blasting the ball into the net. Celtic led 2-1 and it was definitely game on. To combat Collinstown’s power in the middle the Celtic Coaches moved Caitlin to midfield and Ben to centre back. Both changes worked as Celtic started to dominate. Chances came at both ends with Max forced into a wonderful one handed save diving across his goal before Celtic attacked to make it 1-3, a delightful corner in from Tara was rifled home by Ryan Sherlock. With Collinstown pushing gaps appeared in their defence which Celtic duly capitalised on. Esse went down the right and squared the ball into the far post where it was met with the on running O’Hanlon express. 1-4. Tara repaid the compliment as she fed Esse with a through ball and the youngster outpaced the defender before powering home 1-5. More chances came and only a brilliant save from the Collinstown keeper denied Caitlin and Celtic a sixth. Credit to Collinstown as they never stopped trying to play ball and got their reward with a consolation goal in the last minute. FT: 2-5
The scoreline only tells part of the story. Collinstown played their part and were worthy opponents. They had the better of the first half and their mixture of strong tackling and running with some quality passing made them formidable opponents. Indeed had Collinstown taken what would have been a deserved lead at the break the scoreline may have gone the other way which brings me to this Castleknock team. Having weathered the storm against strong opposition whom they had never previously defeated Celtic upped their game and were deserved winners with Heroes all over the pitch – Denys and Conor put on their best displays in a long time, Caitlin proved a difference in midfield, Ben was a stalwart once in the defence while Max , playing with an injured foot, made wonderful saves. Add in the usual strong shifts from Ryan, Maccer, JB, Esse, Tara and Abdullah and you had a great team performance. Luke, Andre we missed you but you’re going to find it hard to get back into this team. Well done all. Great Team performance.
