Ratoath Harps  0   Castleknock Celtic  2

NDSL U-8A

19th Sept 2009

Castleknock went in to this game on the back of two good wins and needed to show their real potential in order to qualify for the upcoming Cup competitions and a good regrade. An epic battle saw Ratoath right from the whistle show the reason why they beat Castleknock last season and finish above Castleknock at under 7 level.  

Castleknock's back two Jack Kearney and Sam Hennessey were fantastic in the first half clearing their lines on several occasions after wave after wave of Ratoath attacks. In fact Castleknock rarely threatnened in the first half with Sam Turner and Brian Dalton pegged back and wingers Ben Blanche and Mark Hughes tackling back time after time. A couple of changes just before half time saw Vilius Labutus and Arron Lynch coming on and the reaction of the Castleknock team was superb, Mark Hughes crossed a fantastic ball after a mazey run and Vilius Labutus with quick reactions and a beautiful turn slipped the ball past a helpless Rataoth keeper.

The second half saw a couple of more changes with Lewis Kilkenny coming in at the back and Robert Lynch coming in on the wing. Nerves were showing as Ratoath pushed forward again and a ball over the top saw a scramble back with Brian Dalton showing his ability to track back as well as play up front with an immense last ditch tackle. Slowly the game opened up and as Rataoth pushed forward for the equaliser, a superb ball from Vilius Labutus put Brain Dalton through one on one and in typical fashion Dalton finished coolly. Castleknock showed some nerves at the end of the game again and a lovely through ball by Ratoath would have been expected to give them a goal back, but Joe Gleeson in Goal who had been in inspired form all through the game pulled off an incredible stop. 2-0 to Castleknock. Man of the Match Brian Dalton.  2-0