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Blood the difference as Celtic edge Battle of the Hoops ”
It’s a crazy ‘ol world. Late August playing Cup football after a 3 month break in the season. What’s happening in the world? Crazy but nothing crazy about the opposition – old foes, Home Farm FC who came into this game in top form following a very active pre-season which saw the Farm win the Dublin Cup in early August and follow it up by making the final of the Kells Cup last Sunday. Celtic on the other hand only arrived back training two weeks ago but had squeezed in two winning friendlies in preparation for this match. Whatever the build up matches between these two are always close and always competitive with no quarter given or asked by either team.
On what was an immaculate Mobhi Road pitch it was Celtic who started the better with their midfield edging matters as some intricate passing cut open the Farm defence. Leigh Reilly created two good chances but was unable to provide a matching finish. The deserved breakthrough came after 20 minutes. A quality 40 yard pass from the immaculate Sean Daly was matched by the exquisite finish from Sean Blood who evaded his marker before lifting the ball over the farm keeper. 0-1. Minutes later Blood was through again only to be foiled by a quality last ditch tackle. Farm looked ragged and again Reilly broke through only to shoot straight at the keeper. With minutes of the half remaining Farm upped their game as they forced two corners as the half ran down. HT: 0-1
The home team came out fired up in the second half. The formation was changed as they put two up front and ironically this helped their midfield where their Brazilian midfielder, Sean, seemed to up a gear as he continued what is now a 6 year battle with fellow Gladiator , Celtic’s Mark Hughes. Farm launched everything forward but Daly and fellow centre back, Paul O’ Neill were in imperious form. The second half was proving to be an intense affair. Celtic were limited to half chances while Farm’s best chances were a cross goal header from Sean that went just wide and a counter attack with 5 minutes left that forced Daly to make a timely tackle. FT: 0-1
A deserved win for Castleknock but as is always the case for both teams it was not an easy game. Celtic were the stronger in the first half and probably should have put the game away before half time but in the second half there was nothing to choose between the sides. Both teams gave their all and were exhausted at the end. A close affair with Blood’s quality proving the difference. Well done lads, your third Semi in as many years. Can you make it third time lucky? The quality is there so let’s make it count.
