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Castleknock Celtic 1 – 1 Leixlip Utd
Late late Leixlip show as Castleknock rue missed chances
While the temperatures in November were unseasonably mild, the wet weather had created havoc with the pitches and for the fourth week in a row there were wholesale cancellations. However following more negotiations than a G8 summit, a pitch at ITB was secured and the game went ahead. Castleknock had been idle for a month so the question was were the lads ready to shake off the Winter blues. Unfortunately for Celtic the answer was a definitive NO.
The quality pitch notwithstanding the atrocious weather meant that this game was never going to be a spectacle. Castleknock settled quickest. Playing into a strong wind they controlled the ball well and following some prolonged pressure got a deserved goal with 15 minutes on the clock. Leigh Reilly forced an error in the Leixlip half before launching forward and delivering an inch perfect pass to strike partner, Kiano Ryan, who had made a strikers run to finish well. Celtic sought to capitalise further but could not take their chances with the best coming when Kiano broke well and having outpaced the defender placed a good shot across the goal only for the Leixlip number to bring off a wonderful save. HT: 1-0
With a strong wind at their backs one would have thought that Castleknock would dominate the second half but this proved not to be the case as Leixlip upped their work rate and never let Celtic settle. Celtic’s cause was not helped by the loss of Ciaran Collins (illness) and Kiano (ankle injury) and while this disrupted Celtic's shape it still did not explain the concession of possession to a hard working Leixlip team whose work rate and determination saw them deservedly equalise with 5 minutes left. Celtic failed to defend a freekick from the left and the ball broke to the unmarked Leixlip midfielder, Ross Mulligan, who smashed the ball into the net with a classy finish. Again this was a deserved goal as emphasised by the fact that in the whole second half Celtic only had two shots on target from Reilly and Mark Hughes, both of which brought smart saves from the competent Leixlip keeper. FT: 1-1
All in all a fair result and credit to Leixlip for their efforts and fighting spirit on the day. A special mention to the Leixlip Coaches who over the past two seasons have proved a pleasure to compete against and win lose or draw are always sporting. As for Celtic this was their poorest display of the season. YES it was a miserable day, YES injuries and illness took their toll but none of this excuses the lethargy of effort and commitment. The Major is a competitive league but this team’s progression has always been measured by performances not results. Well, today the performance is one they will not wish to repeat. Harsh words perhaps but this group have set their own standards and are better than today's performance. As they say “Form is temporary but class is permanent”. These Celts are nothing if not fighters and how they react to this performance will determine their season. Watch this space!!!
