- OUR PARTNERS
Castleknock Celtic sweat to earn 1-0 victory.
The Coaches have never seen Messi, Neymar, Yaya or Ronaldo play a great game when standing still. On FIFA 16 the players all move. Funny that, people need to move on a football pitch. So, today it was all about the movement by the Celtic players that made them unstoppable. Last week the players were outfought but today there was only going to be one winner on that front. Castleknock Celtic found the desire to battle for possession of the ball and this then let their superior football skills do the damage in a well deserved win against a so far unbeaten Sacred Heart FC. Bradley C in goal, Jake R, Ethan O’R, Dylan T and Adam G the invincibles in defence, Cian DaC, Dylan C, Nkemjika O and Lee C the masters of midfield and Evan R, Dylan O the hunters in attack. Game on and right from the start Castleknock were at it. Crunching into tackles, running hard to win the ball back and battling to hold possession. The defenders were defending, the midfielders were running and probing and the attackers were holding up play. For the first 10 minutes it was an even contest, Sacred Heart passing well across the lines and playing a high line in defence.
But it was not long before the energy and commitment shown by Cian DaC and Dylan C help get control of midfield, winning possession and playing in behind the Sacred Heart defence. Castleknock Celtic were on top with some fine play on the wings, with Captain Adam Geraghty starting the play from left back. His composure on the ball helped settle the team and there was very few punts up the park. Evan was linking up on the left and unlock with a fine cross/shot. Nkemjika was getting in on the back post with great timing. With Castleknock on top the pressure eventually told. Evan R with a shot blocked but Dylan Coyne was doing his usual and following up from midfield and drilled a fine shot into the bottom right hand corner. Joe Hart would not have saved it and so 1-0 on the stroke of half time and a great cheer around porterstown park.
Message at half time was to keep up the work rate and every player needed to work hard for the team to play well. Second half and Castleknock were even better. The defence was rock solid. Nothing was getting through to Dylan O, now in goal and distributing the ball like Stevie G. Bradley and Adam were linking up well on the left. Jake and Ethan motoring on the right. The corner count was rising for Castleknock and some great movement saw quick chances for Evan & Nkemjika but neither striker was quick enough to react and get their shot away. Sometimes the quickest way to goal is the straightest. Get there quickly and then finish the job being the best option. By this time Lee, Dylan & Cian had outmuscled the number 6 in midfield and were dominating, Dylan C setting up play after play. Cian and Nkemjika crossing in like Cindy Lauper, Time after Time (that one is for Brian Cummins)! But they could not finish. And so with 5 seconds left the Sacred Heart striker ran though 1 v 1 on goal but Dylan O cool as you like just flicked a foot at the shot and saved. Full Time and happy days, 1-0 Castleknock Celtic.
For these kids Porterstown Park is like Platform 9 and a half, a different world. 3 games, 3 wins, and +6 goal difference. Unstoppable. So, early departures on the Hogwarts Express for the away games from now on, let the wizards wake up and weave their magic from the off. Well done to all players today, a strong performance all round. Special mention to Ehtan, Jake, Adam and Dylan C for their energy and composure on the ball but Man of the Match to Cian DaCosta for his tireless running which helped set the tempo. Keep on sweating boys.
