- OUR PARTNERS
And the weekend has only just begun! What a start to the long weekend. On Friday night the Under 10G Team had a great night out on a team trip to Dalymount to watch Bohemians FC play Derry City. At half time the players had a 5-a-side match on the same bit of pitch that Zinedine Zidane glided over 20 years ago. As the parents would know a few Irish stars stars have played on it in the meantime but "Zizou", with his current coaching role for Madrid and courtesy of YouTube was in some of the players minds and boy did they show some silky skills themselves. They were as manic as the minions from Despicable Me 2, only harder to handle and green, not yellow. On this note a big thanks from all players and parents to Tony Jordan who organised the trip to Dalymount.
So up early on Saturday for their last away match of the season against Ballymun. Captain for the day, Dylan Coyne who just turned 10 on Friday, led the team onto the pitch. The whole squad was present for the match and all were eager to play which was great after a long night and an early rise in the morning. Jesse Okpetu in goal, Neil Kirtane, Richard Ogu and Gideon Durojaiye sharing duties in defense, Ross Kennedy, Dylan Coyne, Owen Boyle, Dylan Thompson and Eoghan Smithers sharing the midfield and forward duties. The match ebbed and flowed and Ballymun started the brighter, however Jesse was not in the mood to give any goals away in the first half. Castleknock grew into the match and some powerful runs by Gideon Durojaiye had the Ballymun defense at 6's and 7's but Castleknock could not capitalise on their possession. A breakthrough finally came when Gideon again burst forward from his defensive role and ran at the heart of the Ballymun defense before unleashing a pile-driver which nearly ripped the net from the goal posts. 1-0 to Castleknock at half time and well deserved after an unsure start to the match.
The second half started with Ballymun again on the front foot. Castleknock were contributing to the pressure they were under as a result of some misplaced passes and also not releasing the ball soon enough when in good possession. This resulted in Ballymun winning the ball around the Castleknock penalty area and peppering the goal with shots. However they did not count on Richard Ogu, now in goal, who had some fabulous saves. But it was looking likely that Ballymun would score and so they did, a neat finish giving the keeper no chance. Straight away Castleknock had two good chances to score with 3 Castleknock players versus 1 Ballymun defender. However the Castleknock players decided to shoot from distance rather than pass to the free man. Both times they were unlucky with their shots drifting wide but perhaps the pass was the better option (something to work on in training on Wednesday but the coach wont name names; do you hear me Birthday Boy and Man of the Match boy!!!!!!!). As the match wore on Castleknock were under huge pressure and conceded a second with 5 minutes left to play. Perhaps a bit tired from the trip to Dalymount, the players did not put any pressure on the Ballymun striker in the box and he was free to pick his spot.
Castleknock kept trying and were unfortunate to lose 2 quick fire goals right at the end. So 4-1 it finished and Ballymun deserved the win with some decisive decisions in the Castleknock penalty box the difference. The great thing about these players is they soon forget about the score in the match and focus on the fun they had, no doubt helped by the Oreo's and Milky Bars on offer. The coach was impressed with Richard Ogu, showing quick hands to conceal a few milky bars before the others got a look in! On the way home the selection committee that is Richard, Jesse, Gideon, Dylan, Jules and Zac offered their thoughts on the Man of the Match. Gideon came some of the cries for his goal. Gideon offered up his nominator, Jesse for man of the match. It must be May because it was like the strategic voting in the Eurovision…….. However the Coach had different ideas. There was one moment of play that underlines this teams efforts to help each other and desire to play their best. Neil Kirtane, bursting forward from midfield laid off a pass to the left of the penalty area and went forward for the return pass. It was intercepted and booted down the pitch by the Ballymun defender. Neil, without delay turned and sprinted from penalty box to penalty box to cover the defensive position, giving Castleknock the extra man cover. He passed 3 of his own teammates and 4 Ballymun players to help his team. So, for that show of grit and determination congratulations to Neil Kirtane for a well earned Man of the Match performance.
p.s.
1. The end of season awards will take place Wednesday 14th May after training. Training starts at 6.30 which will be a match followed by a penalty shootout so be prepared, bottom left fellas, bottom left.
2. The end of season party will take place Saturday 17th May, Clara Lara Fun Park, Wicklow. see www.claralara.com for more details.
