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Another Monday night game with Sky Sports, another derby and another good performance saw Castleknock deservedly take the points. Celtic had provided the half-time entertainment in Dalymount on Saturday night when Bohs took on Sligo Rovers. They had shown their skills to the Dalymount crowd, and it was more of the same for most of this Monday night game.
Once again Castleknock started brightly and took the lead early on with a well worked goal – Mark Hughes won the ball in midfield before playing a through ball to Ciaran Collins who set up the in-form “Twinkle Toes” John Kane who finished in style 7 yards out from the left hand post. Minutes later it was 2-0 with a similar build up. Hughes, again winning the ball in midfield, strode forward to play a clever near post ball to Andrei Enache who in turn played the ball square to the on running Leigh Reilly who scored from 3 yards out.
Castleknock continued to dominate as Verona had no answer to the clever exchanges between Kane, Reilly and Collins. A third was inevitable and it came from Reilly who finished well from a pass by Kane. Fresh legs were introduced in the form of Kian Ryan and it wasn’t long before the impressive youngster made it four with a first time shot from Enache’s cross. HT: 4-0.
Despite their dominance the Coaches reminded the players that any lapses in concentration would be punished. The second half was a much tougher affair and credit to Verona who took the game to Celtic and they can consider themselves unlucky not to have scored at least once during this period with Celtic being thankful to Matthew Elliott at the back and keeper Thomas Bowe.
With 15 minutes to go the game was put beyond Verona’s reach when Reilly , having come close on three occasions, scored to complete a well deserved hat trick when following up on Kian Ryan’s well saved shot. Celtic continued to spray the ball around and Hughes and the impressive Dylan Mc Donagh can consider themselves unlucky not to have got on the score sheet, being denied by some fine goalkeeping from the Verona No 1.
So a good night all-round for Celtic who welcomed Alex San Emeterio back from long term injury and the away support gave a big cheer to the Spaniard who replaced the hardworking Cathal Flynn with 15 minutes remaining. A fine victory as the Celts continue their good run. However the Coaches will be concerned with some of the concentration lapses witnessed in the last two games and will be keen to address this before the visit of top performing St Joseph Boys who travel to the “Field of Dreams” at Porterstown on Sat next.
