- OUR PARTNERS
'End to end stuff' is the best way to describe this DDSL Under-12C clash between Castleknock Celtic and Hartstown Huntstown FC (HHFC) at Porterstown Park.
Castleknock got off to a great start in the fourth minute with a close range strike by centre forward Ruaidh Coffey. Minutes later, before HHFC could reply, Josh Mulligan in the Castleknock midfield threaded a beautiful long range pass into the opposition box where Coffey pounced again to make it 2-0.
Celebrations were short lived, however, as the skilful HHFC midfield combined with a patient build-up that led to a looping shot from Jack Crowe over keeper Matthew Roberts, who could only look on as it floated into the home net. This set the game on fire with everything to play for. But the Castleknock defence held its nerve. Led by lynch-pin and Captain Mikey Rogers and flanked by their excellent attacking full backs Tom Hyland and Arran Long, Castleknock played an entertaining passing game from defence that saw them repeatedly reach the HHFC box in 4 passes. Mazy runs and clever passing by winger Ben Lowndes saw him rewarded with a third goal for Celtic, followed by a long range pile-driver by midfielder David Brennan that made it 4-1 and seemed to seal the match.
But even then the 'never say die' HHFC side replied with a strong push through midfield that yielded a deft strike, again from Jack Crowe, low into the Castleknock net. At 4-2 it was 'game on' once more. But this Castleknock side, unbeaten since August and already in the cup quarter finals, know how to finish well. Matthew Smyth linked up with Robert Rebegea in a crafted build up that saw Smyth hit Castleknock's fifth goal from close range.
A penalty miss by the visitors increased the drama, with keeper Matthew Roberts diving low to steer the ball around the post to deny HHFC a lifeline.
Minutes later, Luke Murphy thundered up the left wing for Castleknock, cut inside and slipped the ball into the box for Matthew Smyth to claim his second, and Castleknock's sixth was in the net.
The game was settled at 6-2, but the two teams left spectators gasping after the tense and entertaining game that swung like a pendulum, and a second league encounter after Christmas is definitely something to be anticipated after this terrific show of spirit and skill by these two D15 teams.
