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Battling Castleknock earn a share of the spoils in Battle of the Celts”
It may have been March and it may have been the first game against Leicester Celtic this season but it felt like we were meeting old foes having had three close battles last season against our Celtic rivals. The last game had seen a bruising 3-3 draw and today no quarter would be given nor asked for.
The task was made even harder with the news that Dylan Mc Donagh, who had been in outstanding form, was out for the season while “Ice Man” Matthew Elliott (stomach muscle) and Kian Ryan (Flu) were also absentees. 11 fit players or so we thought but before kick off Alex Doyle had to stand down with illness. Alex San Emeterio was clearly not much better while Cathal Flynn hobbled over with a knee injury. All of a sudden we had only 7 fit players with question marks over “Bob”, Cathal & Leigh. Replacements in the form of John Kane and Zeke Okirikpo were hastily called up from the U-12’s. To his credit Cathal manfully lined out but was forced off after 20 minutes.
With a strong cross wind the game was never going to be vintage. Leicester were competitive from the start and worked for every ball. Despite missing so many regulars Celtic were playing the better football although not creating any clear cut chances. The best chance came after Celtic won a free kick after Aaron Rice was taken down on the run. The resulting curler from 30 yards brought a smart save from the Leicester keeper. Minutes later Rice hobbled off and Castleknock played the next 10 minutes with 10 men. HT: 0-0.
Credit to Rice for bravely coming back on the field and with Zeke on for Cathal it was a decidedly more attack minded Castleknock that started the second half. It showed as Castleknock took the game to Leicester. Reilly was through on two occasions but failed to find the target. However the youngster was not to be denied when he scored with a lovely lift over the keeper (action) following one of the passes of the season from Rice who was clearly still not 100%. 1-0. More possession, more dominance but very few clear cut chances meant that Castleknock did not capitalise. They were to pay the penalty when indecision at the back cost Castleknock as the Leicester striker nipped in to place the ball past keeper, Thomas Bowe, who had no chance. 1-1.
Castleknock continued to enjoy more possession but in truth they never did enough to deserve a winner against a hard working Leicester team. FT: 1-1.
Let’s be honest this was one of Castleknock’s poorest performance this season however let’s look at the facts – Castleknock were 4 players down before the start. Played with 2 players feeling ill and one nursing injury. Add in the injury to Aaron and the fact that young Ciaran Collins was sick at the end then you will agree that this was a battling courageous performance. Given the circumstances it should be seen as one point gained rather than two surrendered. Furthermore this result maintains the lads unbeaten record so all in all not a bad day at the office. The Boys now have a break as they look forward to a weekend away in Manchester. Com’n the Celts!!
