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Castleknock Celtic 2 - 6 Quarryvale
The wind swept in over Porterstown but it did not interrupt a fine game of football, nor did it interrupt the hairstyles. With more quiffs you could shake a Shadows guitar player at, Castleknock looked the part. Down to a minimum 7 players and 6 sets of shin pads to start, the Under 11s took the opportunity to unleash some Under 10 players courtesy of Barry and Davids team. Gerard (Hank Marvin) Crawley and Luke (Bruce Welch) Hughes joined the team after their own match to give some much needed help. Dylan C captained the team and took up his customary position in midfield, Richard O took to goal, Owen B, Neil K and Declan O’M in defence, Dylan C, Ross K, Luke Hughes in midfield and Eoghan S and Gerard Crowley sharing striker duties.
It was an even opening to the match but Quarryvale took advantage of some good finishing to score two quick goals. Luke H started to drive Castleknock forward with some fine runs on the right, backed up by Dylan C and Gerard C. However Quarryvale attacked again and made it 3-0 with a shot from outside the box, too much time given to their players. Castleknock were starting to play a nice bit of football and a slick move left Gerard C 1v1 with the Quarryvale defender. Only one winner here and with a shimmy here and a dummy there Gerard left his marker standing and cool as you like got his body shape correct and curled a great shot past the keeper. Que fantastic celebrations (great to see kids enjoy good play) and Whoop Whoops all over the side line. Tails up and Castleknock looked for a second. It was a pass from Luke that set up Dylan C who unleashed a shot but straight at the keeper. Next up was Neil with a slalom run from defence, through the middle and through on goal but could not get his shot on target. Ross K and Eoghan S working hard to retain possession, with a shoulder here from Ross and a foot there from Eoghan…..Richard started to find his form and decided to use his hands! and a great save to his left kept a stinging drive out. From the resulting corner Castleknock did not clear the box and Boom, 4-1 right on the stroke of half time.
From the off in the second half Castleknock were a bit quicker and passed the ball better. Quarryvale were rattled as Castleknock got the upper hand. Declan O’M was bossing the defence and when he could he broke forward to try get another goal. However Quarryvale were quick on the counterattack and took advantage adding two further 2 goals. Not to be out battled, Castleknock won a succession of corners. Luke H was firing in the ball with great accuracy, Owen B starting to dominate in midfield and Gerard making some great runs upfront. Dylan C came off with cramp (we hear that a sneaky prematch meal of chocolate was the diagnosis) and so we were really lucky to have the two Under 10 players as without them we would have been down to 6 players. Declan O’M must have been watching Man City v Spurs in the FA Cup Final of 1981 as he tried his hand at imitating Ricky Villa (without the beard). Off he went on his mazy run, and run, and run, and run and after about 5 failed tackles and 10 twists and turns he took aim , fired it in only for the Quarryvale keeper to save well. As he ran back tired he looked to the sideline for a breather. No sympathy here pal, he was quickly told to get really really tired! The pressure eventually told when some fine play on the left saw the ball make its way to Gerard on the back post, quick control and BOOM, another goal and off he runs with his celebration.
So 6-2 in a hard fought game and a very even second half. Some great performances in the team. Special thanks to Hank and Bruce from all the players and for their sponsors. And so for Man of the Match. Given the day there are a few. For his goals and all-round play one goes to Gerard (sponsored by Westend Barbers & Brylcream), for his drive and composure on the ball another goes to Luke (sponsored by Rosso’s and Dax Wax) and for lasting the whole match and his all round defending and support play Declan O’M (Sponsored by The Very Big Hat Shop). After the match we heard Eoghan (Brian Bennett) Smithers was off to guitar lessons. We wonder will he have the quiff on Monday like his dads hero’s The Shadows… Although we heard his dad was a bigger fan of Showaddywaddy!!!!!
