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Mistakes Cost Celtic Dearly as Mount Merrion take the plaudits.
“Hey coach, do you feel like like Bugs Moran?” This was a Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre on the football pitch and the North Side Gang lost out again. 10 players made up the match day squad and spirits were high with the performances improving each week. So it was a big surprise as the team started off very slowly. Ross K led his gang into battle. Jesse O, Neil K, Dylan T, Daniel O and Richard O the trusted back line, Gideon D, Dylan C, Owen B the midfield and Eoghan S and Ross K up front. With a good warm up and pre match routine the players were well set to play ball. But then it happened, the ref blew his whistle and that was that. Mount Merrion’s first attack led to a goal kick. Quick ball to the right full and then back to the keeper, a shimmy attempt later 1-0. 2 minutes later it was 2-0, another goal scored that this team usually don’t let in. Heads dropped and confidence waned. Mount Merrion were on top and were rightly awarded a 3rd goal when their striker was given too much time and space in the box to slot past Jesse. 3-0 down and a quiet pitch.
Half time and the players were reminded to keep possession, support and provide energy on the pitch. Castleknock started well and 3 quick chances went a begging, all from 2 yards out, again Castleknock unable to take their chances. Pushing forward, Castleknock switched off and left 3 Mount Merrion players against 1 defender on numerous occasions. Mount Merrion soon had their 4th and that quickly led to their final 2 goals. Overall Castleknock had 3 own goals and they did not perform on the day as they can. It is good that the players are confident enough to try skills in a game but they need to learn what part go the pitch to try them. Man of the Match was an obvious choice with this player calling “free pass” and supporting play in defence and attack. His recovery runs were as asked for in training and his positional play exceptional. Well done Neil K for a strong performance.
So, not to be for this team today, but not even Al Capone would have survived this Valentines Day Massacre. All is well that ends well as the Prohibition Era is over and Bugs Moran would surely raise a glass to that. Cheers!
