Maynooth FC (C) 3 Castleknock Celtic (D) 2

The 13D’s played their second competitive match of the season in the League Cup away to Maynooth FC on Sunday. For the second week Castleknock was faced with a team from a higher league so they were under no illusions of the task at hand.

Maynooth started strongly and put some good moves together. Castleknock missing their captain and defensive lynchpin were adapting to a new formation at the back. On 4 minutes Amir Kasapovic in goal for Castleknock saved bravely at the feet of the Maynooth No 14 but the ball went loose and was slotted into the back of the net. Maynooth piled on the pressure and a long clearance allowed Maynooth through to get their second on 12 minutes. Castleknock finally settled into their positions and with Maynooth’s very effective no 14 front man being shadowed around the pitch by Jack Ryan and then Iain Coughlan not only were Castleknock holding their own but went close with a couple of chances one of which resulted in Darragh McCaffrey being injured and having to go off.

The second half began better for Castleknock and our top scorer from last season Aaron Connolly pulled one back on 38 minutes. Castleknock began to put some good passes together and made Maynooth look ordinary. With Adam Prior playing superbly at the back and Ntinga Mtiko’s place kicking as good as ever Maynooth absorbed some determined Castleknock attacks. One corner came tantalisingly close to a score with Craig Smyth’s shot only being stopped by the most gymnastic of saves by the Maynooth keeper. It certainly looked like a draw was possible. However a quick break by Maynooth allowed them steal through for their third goal on 52 minutes. Castleknock were not put off and our man Aaron again found the net after some excellent build up work by Jack Ryan and Tom Byrne. With a one last chance free kick scrabbled away by Maynooth Castleknock were destined to lose by one.

All in all not the result Castleknock would have liked but the team are reforming after the squad changes of the summer and new players like Jackie Chan are beginning to settle into their new roles and responsibilities. Over all it is promising well for the start of the League campaign in the higher division following last years promotion.

Squad. Amir Kasapovic, Adam Prior, Ntinga Mtiko, Jack Ryan, Graham Chan, Aaron Connolly, Darragh McCaffrey, Thomas Byrne, Jackie Chan, Ciarán Byrne, Hugh Molloy, Craig Smyth, Adam McCabe, Iain Coughlan.