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It was Super Saturday as SFAI Cup swept the nation. Castleknock travelled to Whitehall to face top Premier outfit Home Farm in this second round fixture. On current form Farm were hot favourites but this was Cup football and this Celtic team have fond memories in the SFAI with some valiant giant killing wins over the past couple of seasons. Still that was the past and it was the future that was in both teams minds as they sought to create their own history.
In what turned out to be a fascinating game of football both teams started well with both clearly intent on playing passing football. As the game wore on it was hard to distinguish which team was playing in Prem 1 as Castleknock gave as good as they got. Chances were few and far between with Castleknocks best coming from a flying Dylan Mc Donagh header that just grazed the far post while just on half time the Home Farm striker reacted to a lapse of concentration from Celtic only for Tommy Bowe to bring off a point blank save. HT: 0-0
The Coaches talk at half time was simple “this is your game for the taking . Go get it”. To their credit Celtic went for it as they dominated the early exchanges of the half. Celtic came closest when Donatus Mweke released Leigh Reilly on the half way line. Reilly showed great pace and control as he outpaced the centre back but having run 45 metres he pulled his shot just wide of the keeper. Still Celtic pressed but with 15 minutes remaining their old ways came back. The centre back lost his man and the ball fell to oncoming midfielder who placed the ball beyond the reaches of Bowe. 1-0. Celtic were rocked and minutes later they were nearly punished again. A failed clearance resulted in Farm firing in 4 shots in quick succession. One brought a great save from Bowe and the others were valiantly blocked. Celtic regrouped and pushed for the equaliser. In truth the well organised Farm defence restricted Celtic to long range efforts and it was they who scored a second in the last minute with a thunderous finish from their right winger – a deserved goal for the talented Home Farm player who had enjoyed a fascinating duel with Celtic’s Mc Donagh all day. FT: 2-0
All in all a great game. There was not much between these two fine footballing teams but Farm just had a bit more when required to edge the game in the end. Well done to Home Farm and we wish them all the best in the next round. For Celtic there were many positives – playing good football they showed that they can compete at this level but unfortunately in the end they contributed to their own downfall with elementary errors which we have seen in the past all too often. Still based on recent performances one feels that when , not if, Celtic get it right they will remain on an upward curve for the remainder of the season.
