Without 5 players from their panel, this was always going to be a big ask for the 12bs to win this match.  When St. Itas arrived with 2 players nearly 6 feet tall and stubble on their chins, we wondered!

Anyway the match started and Castleknock dominated play.  Michael Kiely and Gary Hannifin bossed midfield and John Roe and Wale were creating chances up front.

The first goal of the match came when John Roe caught a defender dallying on the ball.  He quickly went by another defender before releasing a pass to Wale, who shot on goal only for the keeper to parry the ball into the path of Gary Hannifin, who passed the ball into the net.  Minutes later Wale hit the crossbar with a fine shot. 

St. Itas started to come into the game near the end of this half. 

In the second half St. Itas pressed for an equaliser, a brilliant save by Paddy Dunne in the Celtic goal kept them at bay.  They were nearly caught on the break by Wale but again his shot hit the crossbar!! 

A bad defensive error by Castleknock allowed a sloppy equaliser for St. Itas.

The last ten minutes saw chances fall to both sides.  Wale was blatantly taken down in the box but no penalty was awarded.  In the last minute John Roe broke through on the right and from a tight angle produced a powerful shot that looked a certain goal, but was denied by a magnificent save from the visitors' keeper. 

The match ended 1-1.  A fair result but one that puts any thoughts of league glory for Castleknock firmly on the backburner.