- OUR PARTNERS
It’s what we all dream about – Cup football and there was a good crowd in attendance as Castleklnock Celtic and Knocklyon Utd from the Major division took to the field. The gale gorce like wind was always going to make the game a close battle and that’s what came to pass.
Castleknock played into the wind in the first half and started the game better. Defending deep and using the wings to great effect where Ciaran Collins stood out early on. The defence of Cathal Flynn, Matthew Elliott, Alex San Emeterio and Dylan Mc Donagh looked unbreachable as Knocklyon’s chances were limited although keeper Thomas Bowe was forced into making two fine saves. As the half wore on Celtic became more and more comfortable evidenced by the amount of times Flynn was receiving the ball in the opposition half. HT 0-0
With a strong wind at their backs in the second half Celtic looked to take the game to Knocklyon with Mark Hughes as he had in the first half dominating the midfield play. It looked for all the world that it was Celtics to lose and perhaps that was the problem. A warning sign came when a Knocklyon attack forced keeper, Bowe, into making an excellent save. It was still 0-0 with 10 minutes left when disaster struck for Celtic with a goal conceded due to lack of concentration. From a Celtic attack the Knocklyon keeper was allowed to roll out the ball to the unmarked full back. Four more passes to unmarked players resulted in the Knocklyon striker finishing off with a finish that was fortunate as the ball bobbled into the net. Fortunate or not the goal was conceded by sloppy defending by the Celtic team. Minutes later it was 2-0 but there was nothing fortunate about this goal as the Knocklyon winger curled in an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.
There was still 6 minutes left and Celtic went 3-5-2. While enjoying the possession Celtic were again caught on the break forcing keeper, Bowe to concede a penalty. The Knocklyon midfielder made no mistake. FT 3-0.
3-0 was a flattering scoreline and you would have got good odds on that at half time but credit to Knocklyon whose workrate and intensity increased in the second half and in the end were worthy winners. And credit also to their steely defence who were the first team to keep Celtic scoreless all season. Both teams may feel they can play better but the quality of the game was very good when considering the conditions involved.
So what can Castleknock take from the game – for one thing their run in the SFAI Cups showed how much the Boys have progressed and that they belong at this level. However they now also know that you can never stop working and that mistakes at this level will be punished severely. The players were down after the game but they should hold their heads high after a great Cup run where they did their Club and supporters proud.
They will be back!!!!!
