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This game in Porterstown was one of wildly fluctuating fortunes. Within a couple of minutes Castleknock had gone behind to a beautifully taken goal after the Leicester right winger had swung in a cross that was dispatched to the net in great style. It was not the sort of start that Castleknock had been hoping for. Within 5 minutes, it was Celtic who were on the front foot. The ball was won well by Myles McCague in his own half which resulted in a throw in for the home side. Matthew Coughlan found Ryan Brady who launched the ball forward, and like any good predator, he raced toward the Leicester penalty box. He regained possession and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the far corner of the net. 1-1 and looking good.
From the Leicester tip-off, Gentian Ramadani got possession halfway into his own half. The Castleknock dynamo set off on an amazing run on the right hand side, and then veered into the box and let fly with a perfect shot into the roof of the net. 2-1 and it was the stuff of dreams. This had to be Castleknock's day as they were on fire. On 20 minutes, the ball was crossed into the Leicester box and Ahmad Shabahat was perfectly placed to hit home from 10 yards. The visitors did not lie down and bounced back before half time with an opportunist goal that gave them lots of hope. The half time advice by the Castleknock coach was to keep putting in the tackles and maintain the effort and the points would be secured.
After the break, Castleknock were not resting on their laurels and Ryan Brady's shot shaved the crossbar after he had been set up by passes from Daniel Hanrahan and Darius Horincar. Darius himself was within an inch of scoring as he broke through the Leicester defence. The home defence of Myles, Karl Sampil, Rashid Elmowag and Ryan Shiels were totally in command. Angelo, who had replaced Darius in goal, was dealing competently with balls that came his way. Crucial to this defensive effort however was the workrate of the midfield, led by Gentian, who was being helped by Kamil Suchomski, Matthew Coughlan, Ahmad, and Daniel when he was introduced in the first half. Half way through the second period, a defining moment occurred. Already Ahmad was feeling sick, having started the game "under the weather", but Gentian was floored when the ball was hit full force into his nether regions. It was alas to be a blow that was to put paid to Castleknock's chances of coming out of the game on top. He continued on for a while, but no longer could influence the game so imperiously as he had done. With Ahmad and Gentian reduced to passengers and Gentian having to have to leave the pitch, the midfield which had been so dominant now became overrun by the Leicester team who seemed to have got the sense that they could get something from the game. 20 minutes into the second half, they drew level, and 2 minutes later, it was 4-3 to the visitors. With the Castleknock squad reduced in number, they could not withstand the onslaught, and the visitors ran out comfortable winners. While 7-3 seems a heavy defeat, it must be acknowledged that for three-quarters of the game, Celtic had this game in their grasp and they were the team who looked the likely winners. If they had not been hit by injury and sickness, there is little doubt that they would have got their reward of the 3 points. One can only say 'hard luck' and there is no doubt that this team will be back fighting for the points next week. They had given as much as they could for most of the game.
