NDSL 13E League

10th May 2009 

 Clontarf FC  2    Castleknock Celtic  4

Under 13E set up a final encounter on Wednesday next needing the 3 points to clinch the league title. Opponents will be Clontarf, who were beaten this morning 2 - 4. 

Celtic started sluggishly after almost 5 weeks without a game. They went behind early to an opportunistic Clontarf goal. Not to be outshone in what the Celtic lads considered to be a "semi-final", they struck back quickly with a Shane Sweeney goal. Castleknock Celtic gained in composure as the half progressed and were rewarded with a secoond goal, also scored by the mercurial young Sweeney. Half time 1- 2. 

Celtic pressed in the second half, leading to another goal for that man again, "Scoring Machine" Nick Messina.  

Clontarf exerted pressure, which the Celtic defence were coping well with, until the referee gave a somewhat contentious penalty for hand ball against sterling left full baxck, Ciaran Coady. The resulting penalty was blasted at goal. Keeper Tadgh Hanlon guessed correctly but was unlucky not to stop it, beaten only by the pace. 

Shortly afterwards, Alan Dzipa, on as a substitute for the injured Adam Maher, latched on to a wonderful kick from keeper Hanlon, and walked through the Clontarf defence to score a fourth for the Celts.

Full time 2 - 4. 

Castleknock Celtic have now set up a must win match against Clontarf on Wednesday next in Porterstown. 

Team: Tadgh Hanlon, Michael Fahy, Ciaran Coady, Jake Clarke, Abu Elamin, Ross Kennedy, Shane Sweeney, Riad Didani, Patrick Miller, Andrew Murphy,

Alan Dzipa, Cathal Mullen, Adam Maher, Nick Messina, Othman Saleh, Alan Johnson (capt.),

(Unavailable through injury was Eoin O'Sullivan).