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Set plays cost Celtic dearly losing 4-3 away to Firhouse Carmel.
After a rousing performance last week Castleknock Celtic were ready for their first away game. Unfortunately the coaches forgot to pack the hammer and nails that were required in order to take a throw-in in this match… but more of that later. So Dylan Coyne captained the team after a blockbuster performance last week. Dawide “Glue Gloves” Biernat was in goal again. Ethan O’Reilly, Dylan Thompson and Bradley Creighton the defensive wall, Dylan Osborne & Dylan Coyne in centre mid with Adam Geraghty, Nkemjika Onwemreh and Jake Rice the three pronged attack. The pitch was small and the wind strong so the players were asked to play ball on the grass and to create space out wide. From the off the Firhouse players were quicker to the breaking ball and got the ball wide. Their tactic was to start with 5 in a line up front and kick long. Effective but not too easy on the eye. With a corner after two minutes the Firhouse players were left unmarked in the box. Simple free header 1-0, the ball squirming under Glue Gloves. 1-0 Firhouse.
Restart the game and Kick, Chase, Corner, Repeat. 2-0 and it was like groundhog day. Corner to free player in the box and header from 3 yards. 2-0 and homework on Monday right there.
Castleknock were eventually finding their groove with Nkemjika through twice in a 1 v 1 but on both occasions the keeper saved. Evan Ryan, Cian DaCosta and Josh Holland came on and added fresh legs. Immediate impact with Nkem winning a tackle in his own half, Dylan Coyne taking up the play and Nkemjika with a great supporting run. Dylan Coyne with a fine defence-splitting ball and Nkemjika into space and followed up with a fine cross. Adam Geraghty powered into the box and the defender, under great pressure from Adam, put the ball in his own goal. 2-1 and game on.
Ethan O’Reilly and Bradley Creighton were now taking the ball out of defence with great eagerness. A fine move led to the equaliser. Adam Geraghty, Dylan Osborne and Dylan Coyne with some quick passing in midfield to take out 2 Firhouse players. Adam Geraghty was ghosting in from the left and a sublime pass from Dylan Osborne and Adam was through in a 50:50 tackle with the goalkeeper. Only one winner there. Adam cool as you like slotting home after the ball broke kindly after his tough as teak tackle. Castleknock on top.
Firhouse were kicking long and Dylan Thompson stood firm. Dawide decided to play games with the other team, giving them the ball in the box and asking Dylan Thompson to see if he could clear it off the line! Of course he did but not sure about the tactics for that play Dawide. Castleknock were now dominating, Cian DaCosta getting in amongst the Firhouse players and created another opportunity for Evan, unlucky with his shot. So 2-2 at half time and a good recovery.
If you looked closely enough you could see PaddyPower off in the distance, laying odds that there would be at least 25 foul throws in the game. It was looking good for PaddyPower as there was about 15 in the first half alone.
Game on second half and Castleknock went to sleep. They could not get out of their own half as a result of a succession of foul throws (think Keith Wood blindfolded on a very windy day), Firhouse took advantage with a ball into the box, a spin turn and 3-2, the ball nestled in the corner. The team were a little bit flat in the second half with no passes going to feet. Too many times the full backs had no options and played the ball straight out of play. And yes you got it, foul throw.
The 4th goal from Firhouse was indeed a fine goal with a great bit of individual skill beating Dylan Coyne in the box and then beating Dawide with a finish to the top corner. 4-2 and pressure on. Castleknock got their rewards with a third goal courtesy of a fine finish from the side line by Evan Ryan, the keeper all at sea and Evan with a brilliant finish to beat the recovering defenders. Think Ibra. Castleknock kept up the pressure but could not find a break through. Josh, Adam and Bradley linking well on the left. Jake and Evan causing trouble on the right. But 4-3 it finished. PaddyPower walked off with a smile after 33 foul throws were counted. One of the parents said the kids needed to have their feet nailed to the ground to have a good throw (bit harsh!). But if the players twitched their toes it was a foul. But they all learnt today that this is the real deal now with offside, foul throws and responsibility to mark players. So to man of the match; it was a close call with some good performances. Bradley and Dylan Thompson defending strong from play, Dylan Coyne for his energy in midfield and his defensive tackling and Adam Geraghty for his goal and alleged “it clipped my ear” on the OG!!!!….So well done Adam in particular for the first half display and movement off the ball.
