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LATE GOAL SEES DIRTY DOZEN SHARE THE SPOILS
Saturday morning and it was the same ‘ol same ‘ol for the Castleknock Coaches as the morning roll call read 4 OUT, no keeper and three of the twelve on duty not training due to illness and injury. What’s more the “Dirty Dozen” on duty were up against an inform Greystones with 5 wins and a draw in their last 6.
Wearing the away yellow kit Celtic started slowly, looking flat and a team that looked like it was in for a LONG day. However Greystones too looked a little lethargic meaning that the first quarter was relatively uneventful. By now Celtic had awoken and with a strong wind at their backs were the attacking force. Harry O’Reilly was a livewire upfront as he tormented the Greystones defence. Celtic were on top coming close with three corners in quick succession where Luke Hughes’s deliveries were pin point. At the other end Greystones dangerous on the break but thankfully Michael Wiley who marshalled the defence briliiantly, and Jaden Adekolu were in imperious form. Still it took a couple of smart saves from stand in keeper Keane Tiernan to keep the game scoreless. HT: 0-0
At half time changes were made as James Browne replaced Keano in goals with live wire Harry going out right. While it was Greystones with the wind at their backs it was Celtic who were coming out on top. Keano was thrilling the crowd with some deft footwork but despite dominating the home team could not break down a resolute Greystones defence. The game took a change in a 5 minute spell. First Guy Hardy was mercilessly kicked and while the Greystones player was booked Guy, who was having a great game, was carried off. Minutes later Harry won the ball in midfield but was clearly elbowed off. No free and Greystones broke to go 1-0. While there clearly had been an infringement nobody could deny the quality finish from the Greystones striker. Celtic were clearly rocked and Greystones sought to capitalise. Shortly it could have and indeed should have been 2-0 as with the goal gaping Greystones shot wide from 8 yards out. The match was now Greystones for the taking and the Castleknock defence was being stretched but again Michael, Jaden and in particular Daniel Moore made some terrific tackles.
10 minutes left and Celtic had to go for it. Luke was back on in mid, Sam Dunne went out right and Harry out left. The changes worked as Celtic varied their play using the wings a lot more and mixing their play. With 5 to go Celtic won a free kick. 30 yards out into the wind Luke hits a screamer. The keeper was beaten as it rattled the cross bar and bounced on the line where Andrei Ungureanu did what all good players do and followed in to tip the ball over the line. 1-1 and no more than Celtic deserved. Still there was time for a winner and both teams wanted it. The best chance fell to the home team as Harry’s shot from the edge of the box with the keeper out of position flew wide – poor Harry was distraught but he had no need to be as he was unanimously Sky Sports Saturdays Man of the Match such was his non-stop sparky energetic performance. FT: 1-1
Both teams will feel it was 2 points dropped but at the same time in the cold light of day both should see it as a good point earned. A fair result in a spirited contest. What the game lacked in terms of pure quality thanks mainly to the strong winds it made up for in commitment and endeavour. The Celtic Coaches were proud of the “Dirty Dozen” on duty. A special thanks to Abdul from the U14 who came out to help the lads and put in a solid performance in an unaccustomed full back role. Again, well done to Harry MOM performance but also to the whole squad. Celtic have become the leagues draw specialists with 8 this season but who knows what they can achieve with a full squad. With Scott nearly back to fitness and Arnas due back soon, things are starting to look up. COM’N THE CELTS
