- OUR PARTNERS
It was a chilly but bright morning in Porterstown for the Under 12’s clash between Castleknock Celtic and Drumfinn, Ballyfermot for this League Cup match. Despite an initial slow start to the game, Castleknock maintained strong possession in the early stages. Alannah Maxwell worked hard on the left wing and delivered a succession of crosses into the box. Colm Ayres, on the right wing had the first chance at goal which was blocked by the Drumfinn defence. Jonathan McAdam had some brilliant dribbles into the box but couldn’t find the net. Drumfinn broke the deadlock in the closing stages of the first half when their striker managed to score against the run of play to make it 1-0 at half time.
Castleknock Celtic approached the second half with renewed vigour. It was evident that Drumfinn felt threatened as they put five players in defensive positions for the remainder of the game. Jordan Whelan applied pressure up front on a number of occasions. Jack Murphy started in defence but was then moved up to midfield where he began to control. Kelvin Oriwe managed to break through the Drumfinn defence to claim the equaliser with a super shot that left the Drumfinn goalie with no chance. Celtic’s defence of Alex Curran, Ryan Fitzmaurice and Donatus Nweke worked tirelessly to shake off the Drumfin advances and at full time their efforts were rewarded when the game was drawn at 1-1. Full credit to Celtic’s Saif Ijaz for keeping a cool head and making some terrific saves throughout the game which then had to go to extra time.
Despite their tiring legs, the Celts put on a brilliant display of football. They worked well as a team in an effort to claim the winning goal but their efforts were constantly frustrated with a wall of defence from Drumfinn and the result would have to be decided by the dreaded penalty shoot-out following a scoreless extra-time. A large crowd gathered and the tension mounted as both teams decided their penalty takers. Jack Murphy, Saif Ijaz, Alannah Maxwell , Colm Ayres and Donatus Nweke stepped up for Celtic. After four attempts at goal both teams had 3 goals. Donatus Nweke stepped out of goal to take the final shot for Celtic and placed the ball in right bottom corner of the net, and this after he had placed his first attempt into the other corner, but the ref had adjudged him to have taken it from the wrong spot. He then resumed his position in goal to save the final penalty from Drumfinn to great cheers from the sideline. Celtic team members, Sean McClean and Liam O Malley were absent due to illness but they will be delighted to hear about this triumphant win for Castleknock Celtic as they progress to the quarter final of the cup!!!
