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If you look it up in a dictionary an Esker is "a long ridge of gravel deposited by meltwater from a retreating glacier". So Castleknock must be "The team that made the glacier retreat".
It was a cold, wet and windy morning at Porterstown as Castleknock returned to the pitch after an Easter where the players obviously had lots of chocolate. With the bonus of having 8 players to choose from the Castleknock players knew they would be able to keep a high tempo throughout the match as they would all get a rest. And so it proved with a dominant display from Castleknock against an improving Esker Celtic. Cian DaCosta was captain for the day and he led his team with great skill and awareness. Jesse Okpetu was minding goals for the first half, Richard Ogu and Neal Kirtane fantastic playing in defense, Cian DaCosta, Dylan Coyne, Owen Boyle and Gideon Durojaiye (all in the same class in school) bossing the midfield and Ross Kennedy the spearhead in attack. Castleknock started all guns blazing and were quick off the mark with some lovely passing moves. Neil Kirtane was obviously picking up some tips from Ajax during his recent trip to Amsterdam, playing the ball out of defence and making powerful runs into midfield before setting the midfielders free with an accurate pass.
The midfield trio were starting to dominate and some strong right sided play by Cian DaCosta set up a goal chance, Dylan Coyne shooting wide. Another fine Da Costa pass and the ball found its way to Ross Kennedy and smooth as you like with a neat finish to score the opener. The super cool finish would remind you of Torres in his Heyday, simply passing the ball into the net. Smiling all the way back to the kick off it was great reward for a player who was unwell all week and still made it out to the pitch to help his team mates. And on Castleknock pressed. A fine move on the right ended with Dylan Coyne playing in a great cross and Owen Boyle denied by some last ditch tackling. Gideon Durojaiye was starting to find his feet in midfield and shot narrowly wide. The pressure finally told when Dylan Coyne worked space on the right side of the box and BOOM, a powerful strike past the stranded keeper. Edin Dzeko's celebration was on display for the watching fans.
Castleknock were continuing to play some great football with one and two touch football on show, in particular from Owen Boyle, looking more and more like a true No.10, and Cian DaCosta. But this version of Tiki-Taka has an end product, something that Bayern Munich and Barcelona could learn from watching these players today. Richards Dad was recording the match so perhaps he was on a retainer from Pep and Tata….. And so it proved fruitful again when another fine move ended with a flurry of activity in the Esker penalty box and Cian DaCosta, keeping his cool amid the mayhem finished neatly, beating the keeper at the near post. 3-0 and a well earned lead at half time.
The second half started with Castleknock playing into the wind and up the hill. Straight from the kick off Dylan Coyne set the tempo with a powerful run through through the heart of the Esker midfield and laying out wide a pass for the on running Gideon Durojaiye who won a corner. Unlucky not to score from the corner, Castleknock kept on trying throughout the match. With a change of goal keeper Neil "why use your hands when I can block with my legs" Kirtane had to be alert on two occasions as Esker found some swift counter attack play. RIchard Ogu his able lieutenant in defense was quietly doing the business with some fine possession play, breaking up counter attacks and then quickly setting up attack after attack with quick sharp passing, a joy to behold on on his dad's video too….. The pressure told again when Owen Boyle, who cooly delayed his shot just long enough for his dad to see, having escaped to the warmth of the clubhouse at halftime. Nice timing Terry………. And worth the wait it was, this time breaking down the left and Owen applying a subtle finish to another great move.
There were many other chances in the game, Ross Kennedy just wide on two occasions and a great display from all 8 players. There could have been many Man of the Match awards today, Neil for his first half display and keeping goal in the second half or Jesse for his superb defending, and Cian for his quick passing but the award goes to the player who won GOOD POSSESSION many times and most importantly quickly set his midfielders free to work their magic with GOOD POSSESSION, so well done to Richard Ogu, a fine display for the cameras!
