Castleknock Celtic  1   Swords Celtic  2

"Celtic exit by the narrowest of margins"

NDSL 14Premier Cup Qtr Final

5th April 2009

This game was a great spectacle for football at Under-14 age group.  It was as close as you could get, with both sides competing at full tilt.  Castleknock went close early on with Artur Stark combining with the prolific Brian Slevin, whose chip over the keeper bounced agonisingly wide of the post.  They were looking the stronger in the middle of the park, with Luke Gealon and Sean Hanney impressing.  Cian Conway was doing a superb job of man-marking on the Swords play-maker, Sheridan.  0-0 half time, and nothing to indicate a winner as the outcome looked balanced on a knife-edge.

Castleknock came out in the second half and looked the more likely as they took control of the middle of the park.  Gealon exchanged passes with Stark, who threaded the ball through to Roe, who sublimely split the defence to find Slevin.  The striker was clinical with his finish giving the Swords keeper no chance from 15 yards, bringing his personal tally to 52 goals this season.  1-0 Castleknock and a semi-final place beckoned.

The next 10mins was one way traffic, with Gealon and Roe going close.  But the game took an almighty transformation, when 2 long punts from the Swords keeper caught the home side napping.  Route 1 was all of a sudden back in fashion.  The Swords strike force took full  advantage and they were in a twinkling of an eye 2-1 ahead and on their way to  the semi-final of the O'Neills International Cup.

Castleknock had a great chance to bring the game to extra time, but young Fagan's effort was just wide of the left hand post. 

It  is now off to Milan for Castleknock for their Como Cup adventure by Lake Como in Northern Italy.  We wish them bon voyage, but this game, though a disappointing result, will prepare them well for a very competitive tournament ahead.  We wish Swords the best of luck for their tilt at the O'Neills Cup.