NDSL 10Premier : Woodlawn snatch late goal to take the points in epic

Castleknock Celtic 0  Woodlawn 1

It may sound a cliché but Castleknock were glorious in defeat as they lost to a late goal from Woodlawn,the Premier League Champions.  In torrential rain at Porterstown both teams served up a wonderful spectacle that enthralled what was a good crowd.

The game started at a pace with both teams battling for supremacy.  Chances were limited with both defences looking in control. Keith O’ Donohue had clearly continued where he left off the previous week winning every ball that came his way while nothing was getting by the full backs John Kane and Alex San Emeterio who were linking well the midfielders Mark Hughes and Lloyd Turner.

As the half wore on Woodlawn were starting to get forward more and were shooting on site knowing that on the wet surface anything could happen. Thankfully for the Celts their keeper Leigh Reilly was in top form making some fine saves and coming off his line swiftly whenever Woodlawn broke through. Additionally Reilly was reacting quickly to distribute to his ever available full backs. Castleknock’s best chance came from a fine long range effort by Matthew Russell which was parried by the Woodlawn goalie and as the ball ran loose the ever alert Celtic forward , Sean Mc Clean,reacted quickest but his effort was saved by the recovering Woodlawn goalie.

At half time changes were made with Sean Mc Clean replacing young Reilly in goal who in turn went into midfield and Lloyd Turner going up front. Despite this it was Woodlawn who started the half the brighter forcing 3 corners in succession which were all dealt with well at the near post by Mark Hughes. As the half wore on Castleknock started taking control. Mikey Rogers and Keith O’ Donoghue were looking comfortable in the middle and young Kane and San Emtererio, who was having his best game this season, were getting forward repeatedly. In midfield Dylan Mc Donagh and Leigh Reilly were winning a lot of ball and Mark Hughes was winning his tussle with the Woodlawn defender as the Celts began to dominate. Lloyd Turner was also looking sharp and on one occasion showed his class when getting away from his marker. If a goal was coming one sensed it would come from Castleknock. With minutes remaining Celtic thought they had a penalty when from a Hughes cross the ball ran to the impressive Reilly who was clearly pulled back inside the box although, unfortunately from Castleknock’s perspective, the only person that didn’t see it was the Referee.  Victory turned to defeat when in the final minute following a good move Woodlawn broke through with the ball played across to their number 5 who finished from 2 yards out. There was nothing the Castleknock goalie, Sean Mc Clean, could do about the goal.

Woodlawn and their supporters greeted the final whistle with a mixture of elation and relief knowing that they had been fortunate. If there’s such a thing as a wonderful defeat this was it as the Young Celts proved that they belong in this high quality company. As the team trooped off the pitch Leigh Reilly turned to his team mates and said “I don’t care about the result we played well” and so say all of us!!!  There was no disgrace losing to this Woodlawn team and all 10 players knew that they had given their all and played their part. They had tackled, run and supported each other non stop all game and their coaches and supporters could not have been prouder as the loud cheers and well deserved applause rung out.