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Castleknock Celtic u 12 C travelled away to Ballyoulster in Kildare to contest a semi-final in Farry Cup. Unfortunately the game was delayed by 30 minutes but this did not distract the team in any way. In the dressing room the Coaches could feel the lads were well up for this game. The players had extra reason to advance past Ballyoulster because one of their team mate’s Luke Murphy broke his wrist a few weeks ago and with the final on 10th or 11th of May, Luke would have time to resume playing after his cast is removed on 15th April. With the pre match tactics sorted, the team took to the pitch. Castleknock were set up in a 3 4 1 formation with Matthew Roberts minding the house as always and Ballyoulster using a 4 3 1 formation. The coaches were wondering if we would ever play a team that was smaller than Castleknock as Ballyoulster were a very big team with at least 7 of them bigger than Castleknock’s biggest player.
But size means nothing in football as Castleknock implemented their pass and move tactics, using every part of the football pitch with great skill and accuracy, Ballyoulster could not cope with the lighting attacks on both wings and a slick move involving Ben Lowdes, Arron Long, Josh Mulligan and Matthew Smith nearly earning Castlenock its just rewards only for Smithy's shot to go over the bar. The tempo did not change at all through the first half as Castleknock continued to launch attack after attack in search of the first goal with Josh Mulligan coming close with a free kick and Arron Long with one of his trade mark piercing runs nearly netting him his first, only for the Ballyoulster keeper to make a fine save. On the left wing, Evan Ward using some fantastic skills tormented the Ballyoulster right full all through the first half and he was unlucky on two occasions not to have scored with two long range efforts. Castleknock’s rear guard decided to join in with Tom Hyland on the left and Ben Lowndes on the right overlapping at every opportunity to feed Rui Coffey who looked most likely to breach Ballyoulster’s defence who were in defiant mood. Rui Coffey worked all the channels looking for any opening he could but the first half ended 0 – 0.
The wind picked up whch was followed by the rain so the Coaches decided to change things in the second half with David Brennan and Robert Rebegea being introduced on the wings which seemed to unnerve Ballyouslter as Robert Rebegea played an incisive pass through to Rui Coffey, only for the goalkeeper and centre half to deny a certain goal. The trend continued with Castleknock pushing for that first goal with the Coaches wondering if it would ever come. Ballyoulster started to come into the game and launched a couple of attacks but captain Michael Rodgers was in no mood to be generous not even after the game when the jellies were doled out. The back line were solid with Michael Rodgers and goalkeeper Matthew Roberts barking out orders to the troops who were playing some fantastic football in the conditions. The game started to get sloppy and the Coaches kept encouraging the players to continue to play ball which they did with David Brennan launching attack after attack up the right side. Josh Mulligan had to come off due to injury after a bad tackle and Smithy was reintroduced into unknown territory which did not faze him at all as he skipped past a tackle and played a great pass to Rui who converted under the advancing keeper. Ballyoulster had to go for broke and pushed on which allowed Castleknock to counter which they duly did with Robert Rebegea making a great run down the left jinking inside the right full and sliding in a great pass for Rui to slot home . The second goal seemed to knock back Ballyoulster for six and the game ended 2-0 to Castleknock.
There were wild celebrations by the Castlenock supporters in the rain and the team would like to thank them all for their support. What a great week for Castlenock Celtic who have so many teams competing in the finals in May. Best of luck to them all, is it a first for Castleknock Celtic to have their under 12D side playing the 12D1 side in final - I certainly think so.
