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On a warm Monday evening Castleknock Under 12’s finished their league campaign that started 8 months earlier with a game against Palmerstown who arrived at Porterstown in confident form following some recent impressive performances. And it was the visitors who started the better – early to the ball and attacking at every opportunity. This rocked the Celts who seemed shellshocked by Palmerstown’s speed of thought and play.
With 10 minutes on the clock Palmerstown took the lead when their pacey tall winger finished well as the Castleknock defence reacted sluggishly to a pass from midfield. From then on it was an uphill battle as Celtic appeared to be second to every ball and when they did manage to break forward the attack looked lethargic and out of sorts. Only the quality of John Kane stood out for Celtic. During this period Palmerstown came close to increasing their lead with two fine efforts. Just as Castleknock appeared to have weathered the storm Palmerstown went two up with the last play of the half when their winger again finished well as the defence looked on. HT 0-2.
At half time the Coaches called a spade a spade and told the players that their performance was not good enough and that they owed it to themselves to finish off their wonderful season with the same commitment that they had shown all season. They were told to compete and come off the pitch with a smile following a performance to be proud of.
The second half started a bit better, winning tackles and although the final passes still weren’t there, they looked hungrier as they worked their way back into the game. Kane was still leading by example and the centre mid duo of Andrei Enache and Mark Hughes,who had looked out thought and out fought in the first half, were now winning the midfield battle. The breakthrough goal came with 10 minutes of the half gone. Enache won the ball and fed Hughes who strode forward before playing a lovely ball to Leigh Reilly. The ever aware Reilly unselfishly touched it on to Kian Ryan who finished from a tight angle. A goal but more importantly belief. The pace of the game increased with Celtic doing all the attacking. Reilly was looking sharp as he looked to play in his teammates on a number of occasions with clever touches while Ciaran Collins came close on two occasions as he began showing the crowd how talented he is.
Soon it was 2-2. Reilly played a ball to Hughes who then split the Palmerstown defence with a weighted pass to Collins who scored from 5 yards out. 2-2 and the Celts went in search of a winner. Reilly came close to edging Celtic in front with a wonderful mazy run beating four players before producing a save from the Palmertown No 1. Minutes later Celtic nearly scored a great goal with a wonderful move involving Flynn, Elliott, Enache, Ryan and Reilly.
With time running out Celtic finally scored a winner with a goal that was a fitting final act in a wonderful season for the Boys. And what a goal it was. The rejuvenated Hughes won the ball just inside the Palmerstown half. He outmuscled his midfield opponent before going past one, two, three players. He entered the box but looked to have taken it one step too far as a defender closed. One more side step and one more player beaten before placing the ball with power and accuracy into the bottom corner. Cue wild celebrations with the normally restrained Hughes raising a smile and his arms in triumph. A goal worthy to win the game and finish the season. FT: 3-2 to the Celts whose stirring second half performance just about deserved victory against a talented and hard working Palmerstown.
And so the season's end has arrived. A wonderful season for the 12’s – only one defeat this season, a rollercoaster of a journey in the SFAI Cup where the boys reached the last 8 in the DDSL section and securing promotion. They have worked hard and won many admirers with their swashbuckling football - well done to Alex, Andrei, Cathal, Ciaran, Dylan, John, Kian, Leigh, Mark, the two Matthews and our wonderful keeper Tomas. Like the Musketeers, it was a case of one for all and all for one. A great bunch and like all of the Castleknock teams they have represented their Club with pride and honour. In turn the Club takes great pride in their efforts. Well done Boys – take a bow. And so say all of the Club Hierarchy who have admired their progress throughout the season and this observer is still excited with what he saw tonight.
