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Dreams are meant to be dreamy!
This is for the players! Not PS4 but the SFAI Cup. The Dream: The team wanted to play in the SFAI Cup against a “Major” team and beat Kevin's in the Final. As we said, it has to be Dreamy…. The kids were saying this was a “Premier” team but could not play in Premier as their other team was in the Premier. Still following that? And so it proved correct as it was a premier performance from one of the best youth clubs in Dublin, Cherry Orchard. Castleknock were unbeaten at home and were looking forward to the game. A full squad available and a fine morning for football. Captain Dawide Biernat was back in his preferred position of goalkeeper with a brand new pair of Goalkeeper Gloves. Timing is everything Dawide….. The team took to the pitch with Dawide Biernat in Goal, Jake Rice, Ethan O’Reilly, Dylan Thompson and Bradley Creighton in defence, Dylan Osborne, Dylan Coyne, Lee Canavan, Cian DaCosta & Adam Geraghty in midfield and Josh Holland, Evan Ryan and Nkemjika Onwemrhe up front.
From the kick off you could see the intensity at which Cherry Orchard played. Fast tempo all over the pitch. Quick control then pass and move. The beautiful game played beautifully. All their early good work was through their left midfielder, No7 who was fast, clever on the ball and had a great cross. Castleknock were matching Cherry Orchard in the early stages with Evan Ryan through on goal but could not get his shot away as the Orchard defence closed down possession very quickly. A misplaced pass in midfield and Castleknock standing off their players allowed Cherry Orchard open the scoring. This was quickly followed by a misunderstanding between GK and Bradley C with the Orchard striker receiving the ball 10 yards from goal. 2-0. And so Cherry Orchard settled into the game and worked hard to recover possession and moved into great positions to receive the ball when in possession. Cherry Orchard scored a mix of fine individual strikes, superb team goals and excellent headers. Despite this Dawide was having a fun time in goal, saving many other shots in the first half. So half time and a rest for the Castleknock players.
The Coach was happy as the sun was in the players eyes in the first half!!!! Game on and Castleknock Celtic kept trying and helping each other. There was greater intensity in the Castleknock players game and they were working hard for each other. A move even contest helped by Dawide B who was saving everything except Private Ryan! While Castleknock Celtic tried hard they did not create space for Dawide and found it difficult to move the ball out of defence from a goal kick. And boy did we have a lot of them! You could sense it coming and Dawide with a laser pass to Bradley C, clip over the centre half to Nkemjika, shot blocked, Lee Canavan with a great supporting run and there to slam the ball home. The fan club of Robert, James, Zac, Jules, Lewis and Noah were on the side chanting
And so the dream ended but a great battling second half performance from Castleknock Celtic who never gave up on the game. The Coach and parents were very proud of their attitude. The match was even reported on in Portugal, such is the popularity of this bunch of players. A bag of treats later and it was all happy faces again. A great experience for the players today who no doubt have learnt a bit more about the game. Best of luck to Cherry Orchard in the competition and no doubt they will go far. And so Man of the Match goes to every player who tried their hardest today and never gave up. Sa that makes it 13 Man of the Matches. Oh and well done Dawide who’s new gloves look 10 years old now….
