7th Dec. 08

NDSL U-17A

"Celtic keep pressure on league leaders"

Castleknock  Celtic  5   Shamrock Celtic  2

pics to follow

On a very cold day when the frost was slow to thaw,  Castleknock Celtic hosted Shamrock Celtic in Laurel Lodge in a hastily rearranged fixture as the Northside team was unable to provide a pitch.

Celtic were like hares out of the trap from the off, and were magic in the first half, with top class passing and movement, and their 3-0 advantage at half time did not flatter them, as they could so easily have had a hatful of goals, but for the brilliant display by man of the match in the Shamrocks goal.  Oisin Hunt,  David Cregan and Kevin Kelly had given the home side this comfortable margin.  They had hit post and bar as well, which meant they were still not out of sight at the break.  3-0 half time.

Castleknock took their foot off the pedal after the resumption, and the Shamrocks took their opportunity when it came. They won a penalty on 65 minutes which was coolly despatched into the right hand corner giving the Celtic keeper, Colin Murray, no chance.  Gerry Hunt's team responded well however, and they soon restored their 3 goal advantage when Oisin Hunt raced in to shoot home from close range, his second and Celtic's fourth.  4-1

Shamrocks themselves bounced back and they got a deserved second with a deft header from close range, after they had missed a number of opportunities.  4-2 

The last act was left to Jerry (with a J) Troy who raced in from the right hand side to rifle home from 12 yards.  The home side did have a number of other chances, with Johnny Cooper and Jerry Troy going close.

The 5-2 scoreline might suggest that Castleknock Celtic had it all their own way, but they had to put in a strong performance at the back to ensure that they got maximum points from this game.  They were led magnificently at the back by Conor Toolan, captain and Castleknock's man of the match, who put his heart and soul into his performance.  5-2