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Another Saturday and another bumper fixture for the Castleknock U14’s as they travelled to play last years Division winners, Shelbourne, who have continued their good form with an unbeaten run so far this season. Castleknock continue to learn their “trade” at this level so today was a great chance to measure their development against one of the best.
Castleknock started the better showing the confidence earned from their early season form and could , indeed should, have been two up within 10 minutes. Shelbourne were struggling to control a Celtic side pushing forward at every opportunity and didn’t seem to be able to handle the pace of Leigh Reilly and Kian Ryan. However as happens in games where one side dominates they concede a breakaway goal and that’s exactly what happened to Celtic. A harmless ball forward was not dealt with properly by a lethargic Celtic defence allowing the Shelbourne striker a free run at goal where he greatly accepted the gift with a neat finish. 1-0.
Against the run of play Celtic went flat and while enjoying more possession were predictable in their play allowing Shelbourne to sweep up with ease. It took until the last 5 minutes of the half for Celtic to get their mojo back. A Mark Hughes freekick went narrowly over. Minutes later Hughes and Antonio Neto combined well from a short corner before Hughes’s shot from the left whizzed by the right hand post. It was all Celtic and surely a goal would come. With minutes of the half remaining Hughes found Reilly with an indirect freekick and the youngster forced a good save from the keeper and was unlucky as the parried save just bobbled away from him three yards out. The ball was cleared to Antonio Neto who from 12 yards out drove the ball high into an empty net and just as the roars came of “GOAL!!!!” the Shels keeper made the save of the season. I say it again “THE SAVE OF THE SEASON” HT: 1-0
At half time the Coaches told their charges “More of the same and the goals will come”. Celtic listened and they literally battered Shelbourne. Neto, Hughes, Reilly and Evan Nolan all came close before with 15 minutes left the breakthrough came. Reilly found Kiano who rifled the ball home from the right into the left hand corner from 18 yards out. It was Kiano’s first goal of the season and with it mixed emotions following the sad passing of his Grandfather on Thursday. Our condolences to all the Ryan family but to-day Grandad was clearly looking down on Kian so I think that’s what we call an assist.
1-1 and still 15 minutes to go. Celtic pushed and pushed. Again Neto and Hughes came close before Reilly grazed the bar with a glorious shot. Then following a good move out left, involving Dylan Mc Donagh and Reilly, Kiano just failed to get his second from three yards out. Shelbourne for their part battled and battled and with a minute left dealt Celtic the ultimate sucker punch. A needless corner was conceded and Celtic failed to clear same allowing the ball to roll inside the box to the Shels midfielder. His shot was saved by Tommy Bowe but their striker who looked suspiciously offside finished the rebound from two yards out. In fairness there had been a suspicion of offside for Celtic’s goal so perhaps justice was done.
FT: 2-1. First of all credit to Shelbourne who were a well organised unit and never stopped working for each other and with that character it is no wonder they are the reigning league Champions and challenging once again. It was despair for Celtic who will rue their multitude of missed chances not to mention sloppy defending for both goals. Having said that the Celts did dominate, did always try to the right thing and in truth deserved to win the game with plaudits coming from both the Referee and Shelbourne management who observed that the better team had lost. The Celts will have learned a valuable lesson today – in the Major division you do not get many chances and when they come TAKE THEM. All in all, while a disappointing scoreline it is clear that the Celts continue to develop and continue to impress. For sure if the lads keep doing the right things and playing the right way success will come their way.
