DDSL U-12 Premier League Play-off 

9th June 2008

Castleknock Celtic 1  Lourdes Celtic  0

Taking it to the Top Level

DDSL Premier Football Arrives for Celtic

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After waiting for 4 weeks, Castleknock's Under-12 Major team finally got the chance for the play-off showdown with Premier side Lourdes Celtic. Palmerstown Utd was the venue, but, unfortunately, the grass was ankle-deep, which it was feared would not help a footballing side like Castleknock.  The strong wind was not going to help either. However, the opportunity was not going to be squandered by this group of dedicated players who have now soldiered for some years together.  

The 1^st half was literally an uphill struggle, with Celtic playing into the sun and strong wind. Backs to the wall for 30 minutes, outstanding defending by Patrick Rocca, Jovan Prodanic, Eoin Conran and Joseph Lennon kept clear chances few and far between for Lourdes. The midfield of Tom Fogarty, Stephen O’Reilly, Mark Grant and Conor Stephenson worked tirelessly to stem the flow and help out their defence. The crucial point in the game came 5 minutes from half time. Lourdes sprung the offside trap, only for keeper Steven Morris to pull off a world class save, tipping the ball over the bar as the Lourdes striker hit a cracking shot that was heading for the roof of the net. All square at half time, Celtic now had the advantage. 0-0 half-time.

The 2^nd half started brightly with Celtic now in the driving seat. Lourdes now showed their defensive strength, proving very difficult to break down. Gareth Ruane tormented defenders trying to sniff a chance on goal. 15 minutes gone, a ball broke to Kyle Turner outside the box and he thundered a low drive towards the goal with the Lourdes keeper at full stretch. Celtic were growing nervous, extra time and penalties preying on the minds. 10 minutes to go and  the  sponsor whispered "Only 10 minutes from the Premier league", which he had forecast at the start of the season.  The subdued Ryan Moore Kearney, though having a quiet game, was always likely to do what he had done so often during this league campaign.  On cue, 8 minutes from time, he sprung into life, raced forward, latching onto a through ball, he struck beautifully into the far left hand corner of the net. The supporters all went  wild as Premier football had returned after an absence of over 10 years.

Castleknock had to hang on to the finish with superb defending.  Kyle Turner joined Patrick Rocca in the centre of the defence, as Eoin Conran, having given it his all, had to come ashore through injury. The guile and determination of the smallest player on the pitch, Stephen O’Reilly, instilled determination and fight throughout the team. The aggression and bravery of sub Ryan Smith was called on yet again in the dying minutes and as usual he delivered in style.  Congratulations to all involved, every member of the team squad, the manager Dave Fogarty,  assistants Richie Stephenson and Eamon Ward, and team sponsor Patrick Rocca.  They promised much on their elevation to the U-12 Major DDSL, and they duly delivered on the prediction of Premier football in one season - a fitting reward for their loyalty to the cause.