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Castleknock Celtic took to the pitch looking to get a result that their style of play richly deserves. 10 players made the trip to Manortown, the home of Niall Quinn, ex Ireland striker but kids now know him as a Sky Sports pundit, but more on that later. Daniel captained the team and they lined up with Jesse in goal, Daniel, Declan, Richard and Owen sharing duties as wing backs with Dylan T the heart of a three across the back. Dylan C and Gideon D took up position in the midfield and Ross and Eoghan shared the striking duties. Neil, feeling a bit under the weather this week missed the match. So, a brisk start by both teams going toe to toe. Castleknock were holding a good shape, working hard on this in training. “Train like a Beast, play like a beast” the teams new slogan. Playing out from the back at every opportunity a misplaced pass to the Manortown striker led to the only goal of the game. With a sure strike he powered the ball over Jesse (no mean feat that) and smashed the back of the net. 1-0 to Manortown. But then it was like the Alamo (google that one boys). Castleknock played with great awareness and plenty of skill earning plaudits all-round.
And then it was game on. We hears that Ronaldo’s brother (Raynaldo) was watching from a house across the road and the boys wanted to impress. Dylan C wide with a good opportunity from a free, but his set up was not right, net time perhaps. A sweet corner routine unlucky with Owen B hitting the post (again) with a great strike of the ball. The team are thinking of calling him Pug, as he seems to like the post as much as dogs!!! So on we go and Gideon with a trademark run firing over. Dylan C at the keeper. Owen B, trapping the ball in midfield like a seasoned hunter, shoots and keeper saves. 5 seconds later, trap, repeat, Owen shoots keeper saves. When Manortown did attack some good recovery runs prevented them troubling Jesse in goal. Dylan T with great positional play, Richard, Declan, Daniel and Owen strong in the tackle. Gideon and Dylan C supporting. So good was their defending that Manortown only had 3 shots in the first half.
So second half and more of the same was the team talk. Gideon driving forward and Dylan C prompting from midfield. “Free Pass” we heard more than once and Castleknock really started to impose their game on Manortown. It was all about possession and position. Move of the match, play from the keeper, Daniel passing and moving up the left wing, ball on the edge of the Manortown box, lose ball, retrieve ball, play back to defender, play to keeper, out to the right side, Owen with a ball in and Gideon with a shot. Side to side and end to end, it was great play to witness. The Manortown keeper is now known as Salt, as he was a match for peppering that he took from Castleknock.
Castleknock kept moving forward, Daniel providing some greats bursts from wide left. BOOM, shots rained in like the arrows from a Level 5 arched in Clash of Clans. Gideon from distance, Owen and Dylan with a finesse here and a body swerve there. But such is the game of football it was not to be for Castleknock. It was a great match and credit to both sides for their sportsmanship and attitude in the game. Ross and Eoghan led the line well, creating space and holding up for the midfield. Richard and Dylan T bossed the centre of defence and Declan and Owen energy on the wings. Neuer in goal for corner kicks, taking his place on the halfway line, a confident boy is Neure (I mean Jesse). Gideon, Dylan and Daniel providing the movement, pace and drive. It was a great game and a really impressive performance. Some sad faces after the match but happy as well. 14 shots to 3 in favour of Castleknock. And so about that Niall Quinn fella. On Sky Sporst Niall always says a team needs a luck goal, a jammy goal, a goal from 1 yard out. When Niall played, if he did not score with his head (most of his goals were from his head and he was class at that) he scored with his shin, knee, belly, butt, face, thigh, ankle, nose….. any goal will do and that is all this teams needs to match their great play.
Comments heard after were “you should play for Rovers”, “great play” and “good luck Manortown in the cup”. So a great advert for football and the hardest part was picking MOTM. However there has to be one and this week it goes to ………. drumroll………… another drumroll……………. Daniel for his energy, battling qualities, drive and his mazy run which had everyone talking!. Well done Daniel and the rest of the boys, see you all Monday
