Taaffe Cup Quarter-final, 19 March 2012: Esker Celtic 0  Castleknock Celtic 4

After their exit from the LFA Cup against premier side Stella Maris, Castleknock resumed their winning run with very impressive away win in the Taaffe Cup. They led 1-0 at the break with a Barry Linnane strike from a set piece. 2 quick goals from David Beatty put Celtic out of sight, before Pat Madjeski added a fourth for a comfortable win.

After 20 minutes Celtic had their full eleven and it started to make a difference. Numerous open goals were missed and it looked like it was going to be one of those days.

The second half gave Celtic the advantage of the wind and while they passed and tackled well the goal was elusive. Ten minutes to go and Oisin Kirwan was put into a prime position and didn’t waste the opportunity with a superb shot to the top corner.

Game on and it stayed that way until the full time whistle.

Extra time beckoned and changes up front put Dylan and Oisin in the strikers position and Tony and Aayo attacking midfielders. This had an immediate effect when Oisin was again in prime position and took his time 2:1 to the home team.

Further goals from Aayo and Tony put the tie beyond the reach of a fantastic Ballymun team. Semi finals for this Castleknock team who are a team of true battlers and have a never give up attitude. Celtic 4 Ballymun 1.

From the start of the match the Castleknock girls had Kentstown on the back foot. They took the lead when Allanah Walsh reacted quickest to get on the end of an Emma Boyle corner that caused confusion in the Kenstown defence. Castleknock continued attacking but were caught when a excellent shot from the Kenstown midfielder flew into the top of the net. Half time came with the scores level at 1-1.

The second half started and Castleknock were pinned back in their own half for the opening 10 minutes. But the Castleknock defence easily dealt with everyting that came their way. Castleknock took the lead when a long range shot from Emma Boyle cannoned back off the bar and Marianne Power was on hand to head the rebound into the net.

Castleknock went further ahead when Kellie Boyle spilt the Kenstown defence for Ciara Brady to run on to before calmly slotting the ball past the keeper.

Castleknock were rampant at this stage. The defence of Rebecca Kearney, Lucy Hanlon, Sarah Brady and Jennifer Treadwell were in full control at the back and the midfield pairing of Kellie and Emma Boyle were taking control in the midfield. The tiredless Orla Martin and Allanah Walsh were causing the Kenstown full backs plenty of problems and worked back to help out in defence when needed. Up front Lyndsey Kearney ran herself into the ground and had a good goal incorrectly ruled out for offiside. Ciara Brady showed her finishing skills up front and was a constant thorn in the Kentstown defence. Marianne Power showed her strength and tenacity and fought for every ball. Niamh Meade came on for the injured Jennifer Treadwell at left back and put in a powerful performance.

Goal number four arrived shortly afterwards when Allanah Walsh got on the end of a long throw and coolly slotted the ball home for her second of the match.

The final goal arrived with Kenstown looking a well beaten team. The ball was cleared from the Kenstown box and fell to Emma Boyle who turned inside and drove an unstoppable shot into the roof of the Kenstown net.

The match fininshed 5-1. It is hard to pick a man of the match for this game as every single one of the 13 players played their part and were excellent, however, special mention has to go to Sarah Brady who played one of her best ever games at right back. She was first to every ball and cleared her lines time and time again.

That now makes it three wins on the trot since the turn of the year and the girls are really starting to click as a team. Not only that, they have scored a toal of 14 goals in the 3 wins.

Well done girls and let’s keep the good run going.

Team: Naoise McAloon, Sarah Brady, Rebecca Kearney, Lucy Hanlon, Jennifer Treadwell, Niamh Meade, Ciara Brady, Kellie Boyle, Emma Boyle (C), Orla Martin, Marianne Power, Lyndsey Kearney, Allanah Walsh

Castleknock Celtic 1 St Josephs Boys 2

It wasn’t to be for Celtic in the quarter final of the Farry Cup as they took on favourites St Joesph Boys in Porterstown. Both teams battled it out from start to finish but the Boys just edged it in the end. Another goal from leading scorer Winston Wang (43 goals) wasn’t enough as the Saints marched into the semi finals. Both teams had good chances to add to the score but the score stayed the same. Best of luck to Joeys in their semi final from everyone in CCFC.

They say lightening never strikes twice, but no one told Luke Lynch. Luke came off the bench in the home match against Joeys to score a spectacular winner in the last minute. Well he did it again in Sallynoggin today, scoring the only goal of the game in the very last minute.

Castleknock played really well through the match, passing and moving really well. The defence was solid with Shane Dunne in great form. Down the right flank Greg Hardy was superb, solid defence and combining excellently with Sean Conroy to create a number of chances. However Celtic could not find the vital touch in front of goal. When Luc Cautley was brought down in the box midway through the first half it looked good for Celtic, however the always reliable and dependable Conor Byrne shot too high.

The second half saw Castleknock continue to press and came close a number if time, with the goalkeeper making a couple of splendid saves as well. With 15 minutes to go disaster struck, after a few pushes and shoves Rori Hegarty was extremely harshly sent off, with the real perpetrator staying on.

But this only served to reinforce the effort of the team, but with a draw looking the most probable result, up popped Luke Lynch at the back post to steer the ball home score and take the three points back to Castleknock.

 Castleknock arrived at Dunshaughlin to face a tough assignment against a well organised Dunshaughlin Youths team. The omens were not good for Castleknock who were down to 6 fit players and could only field a team thanks to Sean Mc Clean courageously lining out despite feeling ill.  Added to this was a change to the venue where the conditions made the game borderline unplayable. However what is fast becoming this teams greatest strength – courage in the face of adversity  – the Boys produced an excellent performance which was needed to defeat a brave Dunshaughlin side.

Castleknock started like a team on a mission. Alex San Emeterio on the left wing was looking to continue his fine form of late as he thrilled the crowd with some fine dribbling skills beating players for fun while on the right, not to be outdone, Mikey Rodgers was like an express train as he continuously got the better of the opposing full back. With incessant pressure it wasn’t long before Castleknock were one up when Dylan Mc Donagh, who had made a great run from full back, finished well from a fine cross by young Rodgers. Not content with sitting back on their lead and having a strong wind behind them Castleknock continued to press. The full backs, Mc Donagh and Lloyd Turner, were enjoying great space and looking to play in their wingers at every opportunity. Mid way through the half Castleknock deservedly went two up when following a great run by the Spanish Flyer, San Emeterio, Sean Mc Clean was on hand from two yards out to finish. It wasn’t possible for Castleknock to continue at this pace and inevitably Dunshaughlin came back into the game. Thankfully Mark Hughes was in top form at centre half never missing a tackle and releasing the ball wide every time to relieve the pressure. It says a lot about Castleknock’s performance that Leigh Reilly only had to make one save all half.

Half time 2-0 – a deserved lead but the Castleknock Coaches were very aware that fatigue and a strong wind meant that this game was far from over. Obviously the Dunshaughlin management clearly felt the same as their team started on the offensive. With only two minutes in the half gone Castleknock were caught napping from a quickly taken corner and were punished when the Dunshaughlin number 5 scored from 6 yards out.  With most of the half remaining these were worrying times for Castleknock who were having to defend deeply.  However as the half wore on the young Celts regained composure with Leigh Reilly, now  playing in a defensive midfield role, breaking up attack after attack with some fine tackles. The game was effectively decided midway through the half by two game changing passages of play. Firstly Dunshaughlin won a free kick and from this the No 8’s well struck shot looked goal bound only for Mikey Rodgers to get a touch with his right foot to knock it over the bar. Within minutes Castleknock were 3-1 up with a super goal. The ball was played out to Mark Hughes who was now playing up front but coming deep to support his hard working team mates. Hughes played it out wide to Turner who enjoyed an exchange of passes with Reilly before playing the ball back to Hughes 20 yards out. Hughes beat his marker and with the Dunshaughlin goalie racing off his line lifted the ball over the keeper into the top corner.  It was no more than Castleknock and indeed Hughes deserved.

For the remainder of the game try as they did Dunshaughlin could not break through a tough Castleknock defence now marshalled by Alex San Emeterio and Mikey Rodgers.  Indeed it was Castleknock who looked the more likely with the best chances created by Reilly, who beat 3 players before seeing his well struck shot saved, and young Hughes who having bravely won the ball beat the oncoming defender only to see once again the Dunshaughlin goalie make another fine save.

Were this game a movie it would be  “The Magnificent Seven”. While some of the football played was excellent the real reasons for this victory were a strong work ethic, a never say die attitude and clearly an “all for one and one for all approach”.  What was also pleasing for the Coaches was the lessons learned from previous encounters as the Castleknock players were always moving onto the ball, created space, and when not in possession were always closing the opposition down. A great performance and the players receiving a well deserved rousing ovation. The question now is can the Boys keep it up?

AUL Div 1 Sat. (Ray Bowe) :

AUL Div 2A Sat. (Jim Kelly) : Despite missing a host of chances, Celtic’s Olly Shepard gave the St Maelruan’s keeper no chance with a wonder strike from his 40 yards free kick which had the echoes of Roberto Carlos ringing around the ground. 1-0

NDSL 8Green (Paul Murgatroyd) :  match action

NDSL 9B (Damien Hunter) : 

NDSL 9F (Neville Maxwell) : 

NDSL 10P (Pat Reilly) : Superb performance by Celtic as they conquer the Dunshaughlin Youths away in Co Meath. read on

NDSL 10A (Allen O’Toole) : 

NDSL 10E (Oleg Girbu) : 

NDSL 10H (David Curran) : 

DDSL 11B (Rob Ryan) : Rare defeat for Celtic away to Wayside. 1-2

DDSL 11B1 (Peter Killian) : Robert Lynch and Ben Fleming were Celtic’s match winners away to Stella Maris which keeps them in the hunt for league and cup honours. 2-0

DDSL 11C1 (Ronnie Maher) : 

DDSL 11D (Craig Shiels) : Celtic were in fine form at home to local rivals Verona. Man of the match and hat-trick hero was Alan McDonagh. The result was due to great team work, with special mention going to Sean White Mullins who made 2 fantastic saves at vital times. Luke Kearney put in an amazing display on the wing. It was from one of his great crosses that the first goal came.  3-1

DDSL 11D1 (Padraig Connor) : 

DDSL 12A1 (Paul Mason) : Cracking display by Celtic as they put 4 past Ballymun Utd in Porterstown. They are now into the semi-final of the Hillery Cup. Oisin Kirwan was on the mark on the double, with the other goals coming from Ayo Duroyaiye and Tony Kamara. 4-1  a.e.t.  read on

DDSL 12C (Shane White) : Well done to Celtic’s U12C’s today. A battling performance against Joeys in the quarters of the cup but just came up short. It just goes to show, the best teams don’t always win but that’s football.  It’s a funny old game!!!! Best of luck to Joeys. 1-2

DDSL 12C1 (Ciaran Jones) : Celtic overcome Lucan Utd in their league encounter in Porterstown. Despite going down to a first half goal, Celtic  bounced back with goals from Rhyss Woodyatt and Dorian Walsh. 2-1

DDSL 13A1 (Tony Molloy) : Rare defeat for a depleted Celtic at home to Celbridge Town. 1-2

DDSL 13B (John Ronan) : OFF

DDSL 14C (George Fanning) :

 Sun. 19th February 2012

AUL Prem C (Peter Finn) : OFF

NDSL 12E (Pat Darcy) : Celtic robbed of victory and come away from St Ita’s empty handed. 2-3

NDSL 13C (Martin Stephens) : 

NDSL 13E (Eamonn Atkinson) :  Cracking home win for Celtic at home to Sandyhill. 4-0

NDSL 14A (Enda Mullin) :  

NDSL 14C (Michael Farrell) : 

DDSL 15A1 (Andy Kelly) : 

DDSL 15B1 (Dave/Stephen) : Narrow defeat for Celtic away to Confey. 2-3

NDSL 15C (Roy Barron) : 

DMGL 15 (Hugo Boyle) :  Celtic maintain their good run with their third win on the trot. 5-1 read on

DDSL 16A1 (John/Fred/Martin) :  Castleknock Celtic 1 v 3 Cambridge Boys
On a perfect morning for football two rapid fire first half strikes undid Castleknock.  Up to that point it was nip and tuck with both sides sounding each other out.  The first of these strikes came when a low right wing cross fizzed across the 6 yard box evading everyone expect an inrushing Cambridge player who side footed to the net 0 – 1.Within a minute a Cambridge corner from the same right side was only partially cleared, and as the ball bobbed about a Cambridge player poked it to the net 0 – 2. With Castleknock now committed to pushing players forward they were undone when a long Cambridge clearance again put them in on goal 0 – 3.  To their credit Castleknock kept battling and were rewarded when Silvio Aghnitha fired home from close range just before the break 1 – 3.  match action

The second half was dominated by Castleknock but they just couldn’t find a way through a tough resolute Cambridge defence FT 1 -3 

DDSL 17Maj (Brian Kennedy) :  After their exit from the LFA Cup against premier side Stella Maris, Celtic resumed their winning run with very impressive away win in the Taaffe Cup. They led 1-0 at the break with a Barry Linnane strike from a set piece. 2 quick goals from David Beatty put Celtic out of sight, before Pat Madjeski added a fourth for a comfortable win. 4-0

NDSL 17A (S O’Donnchu/T Hanlon) :

DDSL 17B (G Miller) :

NDSL 18Prem (John Roe) : 

DDSL 18Prem 1 (Dermot Bradshaw) : 

DDSL 18Maj 1 (Jimmy Kelly) : Celtic exit Cup with one goal defeat after extra time. 0-1 match action

DDSL 19PremB (Donal Hanlon) : Celtic were in rampant form with a four goal blitz against the visitors Lakelands FC. 4-0