Mount Merrion  2  Castleknock Celtic  1

"Celtic exit SFAI Cup with narrow defeat to Mount Merrion"

SFAI U-14Goodson Cup

29 Nov. 08

After 4 great games in the SFAI Goodson Cup, Castleknock Celtic Under 14 side went out in dramatic and unlucky circumstances to Mount Merrion (DDSL Premier) on Saturday. 

Because of the frozen conditions the match was switched to Mount Merrion’s second pitch which was heavy on one side and very heavy on the other. This suited the physically very strong Mount Merrion team. However it was Celtic who caused all the problems in the first 20 minutes, completely dominating possession and territory. Once again the midfield of Robbie kavanagh, Sean Hoare, Kevin Flanagan and Adam Noonan controlled matters with a series of lovely interchanging passing movements. Forwards Stephen Treadwell and Sean Conroy went close on a number of occasions and were denied by a very alert and capable goalkeeper from Mount Merrion. Celtic looked like they were going to take the lead when a shot from Adam Noonan on the turn beat the goalkeeper, but struck the post and it was cleared to safety.  Another shot from outside the area by Kevin Flanagan was brilliantly saved and scrambled to safety. All this time Stephen Treadwell caused major problems for the defence, but the all important goal would not come. Then in the 25^th minute disaster struck, a cross from the left into the crowded area was flicked into the centre forward, giving Adam Weafer no chance. With their tails up Mount Merrion pressed for a second but Adam Weafer was very solid and the defence of Shane Dunne, Eoghan Bradshaw and led by the magnificent Stephen Kenna held firm.  

Early in the second half saw Mt Merrion continue to press, but Adam Weafer was in great form, with one truly fantastic save from a pile driver down to his right hand side. The second Mount Merrion goal came from a corner that clearly should have been a goal kick.  Bad marking in the defence allowed the Mt Merrion centre half an easy opportunity which he converted.

At this stage it looked all over, but this Castleknock team has bottle and never know when to give up. They knuckled down to the task and went at Mt Merrion for the remainder of the game. With ten minutes to go they were rewarded when Kevin Flanagan scored a truly spectacular goal on the volley from 25 yards, which he is making a habit of doing. We remember his strike from similar distance in the recent league game v Leicester. Celtic piled on the pressure. The excitement was brilliant. First Mark Conroy chipped the advancing keeper only to see the ball land on the net just over the cross bar, Luc Cautley and Adam Noonan had good efforts. And then in the last minute John McGivern weaved his magic down the right wing and hit a beautiful cross to the back post leaving the keeper stranded. Ian McSherry spotted the opportunity and made a brilliant 50 yards run to meet the cross with a stretching left foot just to see the ball inch agonisingly over the bar.  

And so Castleknock had lost 2 -1, first person over to the Celtic team was the referee who said that Celtic had played some of best football he has seen at under age level and that they should have gotten at least a draw. The Mount Merrion coach was much relieved to come out with a win and was also full of praise for Castleknock. 

Coach Fran Weafer congratulated his team after the match and said he was very proud of the way they played and their never say die attitude. “ I know what I am going to ask Santa for now, just a fair share of luck, if we get that we would beat any team in the country! “