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Castleknock Celtic 2 Woodlawn FC 1 NDSL U-8s Eamonn Ludden Cup Semi-Final 28th Nov. 2009 "Epic Battle sees Castleknock through to Ludden Cup Final" Castleknock went to the Sportslink
complex in Santry having The game began with lots of nerves in the Castleknock team and they were under pressure in the first five minutes with Joe Gleeson in goal and Sam Turner and Robert Lynch at the back having to sweep up several attacks from Woodlawn. Indeed it was Gleeson who pulled of a fine save within the first 10 minutes which undoubtedly kept the game alive for Castleknock. Having weathered the storm Castleknock finally found some passes and some neat interchanges from Vilius Labutis and Noma Eridaweu saw Castleknock’s Lewis Kilkenny with a shot which narrowly went wide. Half Time 0-0. Castleknock made a couple of changes at half time and with the game sweeping from end to end with both keepers being tested it was inevitable a goal would come. Mark Hughes was awarded a free kick outside the box and he stepped up to fire a fabulous curling free kick over the wall and in to the top corner. The travelling Castleknock support went wild and could scarcely believe it. Castleknock brought on all their subs as is customary and perhaps it was a combination of this and nerves which saw Woodlawn move forward with menace in the last 10 minutes. An unfortunate free kick was given away in almost the same position as Castleknock’s just outside the box and it saw the sides level. 1-1 “Game on” for the remaining 5 minutes. The effort to keep the game at 1-1 and alive must go to the subs, Jack Kearney, Ben Blanche, Sam Hennessey and Arron Lynch as they battled for every ball and threw themselves in front of every shot. 1-1 it finished after normal time. The extra time began with Castleknock returning to the line up that started the game. It was an intense period with end to end action and as the 1st half of extra time wore on Castleknock got the upper hand. A big tackle by Robert Lynch saw the ball break to Noma Eridaweu and he raced down field with Kilkenny and Dalton, a quick ball inside to Vilius Labutis and it was 4 attackers on 3 defenders , a couple of more interchanges of passes and Eridaweu was one on one with the keeper who was left rooted as Noma drilled the ball home. 2-1. Woodlawn to their credit would not give up and despite their efforts the big 3 at the back for Castleknock, Gleeson in goal, Lynch and Turner would not be beaten. The game finished 2-1 to Castleknock and sparked off some incredible celebrations with supporter of the game Brian Dalton’s Mum reduced to tears!.....Well done to the team for their heroics and to their manager Peter Killian and Coach Derek Kilkenny, who put in trojan work for their squad of dedicated troopers. |
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