- OUR PARTNERS
Castleknock played their first home game of the season with a recently rebuilt team and faced Mount Merrion who defeated Celtic in the Quarter final of the Cup last season.
Castleknock started brightly with some great football down the right wing where Gareth Healy played one of his trademark intelligent passes to Robert Lynch who beat their defence and was only denied an opening goal by a great save from the Mount Merrion keeper.
Throughout the first half, Leon Girigan constantly tormented the Mount Merrion defence with his blinding pace and was a constant threat. Meanwhilek, the dangerous Mount Merrion forwards were being contained by Sebastian McMahon and David Jolley playing in central defence together for the first time. Eoghan Kearney had to deputise in goal for the first half and gave an assured performance - his excellent distribution from kickouts being a particular feature of the game. Sean Balogun was having an excellent game at right back before an injury forced him to retire but his brother Patrick came on as substitute and both he and his other brother Thomas played well in a tight first half.
It was scoreless at halftime. Dylan Dwyer came on in the second half to resume his usual position in goal and as always looked confident and assured. Meanwhile Brighton joined Leon up front and this duo looked more and more dangerous as the second half progressed. But then Mount Merrion launched a speculative long range shot which looked harmless until it took a lucky wicked deflection off a Castleknock defender into our goal. 1-0 for Mount Merrion.
Castleknock increased the tempo and the Lynch twins were now starting to dominate in midfield with surging runs and good distribution out wide. They were ably assisted by Ben Fleming who was putting in a gutsy and intelligent display and Adam Byrne who provided more support on the left wing. Castleknock were forcing many corners now with excellent deliveries from Eoghan Kearney who continued to put the ball into dangerous areas.
An attempted quick breakaway from Mount Merrion was thwarted by the impressive Alex Murphy who was first to the ball and put a terrific cross into the Mount Merrion penalty area. The pace and height of the ball deceived the Mount Merrion defence but not Leon G who pounced on the opportunity to score a deserved goal and bring the sides level. Castleknock continued to press forward and look for a deserved winning goal but the Mount Merrion defence managed to survive until the last whistle. An encouraging start from a newly formed team.
