Drumcondra  1   Castleknock Celtic  2 (after extra-time)

NDSL Lifestyle Sports Cup/ U-9F

6th March 2010

The mighty Drums came to Porterstown for this semi-final showdown.  A gorgeous bright crisp day saw Celtic put on a performance that was worthy of  the occasion.  Manager Shane White and Coach Brian Cummins had their troops in peak condition for this encounter with Drumcondra, which is a club  with a huge reputation in the annals of Irish soccer, having been to the fore of League  of Ireland football in the heady days of the 1950s when Bunny Fullam wore the yellow and blue.                            click pic to enlarge

This time it was the Under-9s that were on show, but it was the Hoops of Castleknock Celtic that were to be the thorn in Drums' side on this occasion.  Celtic pounded the Drums goal for long spells, but the breakthrough did not come in the first period.  0-0 Half-time.

The second half saw more of the same, and Celtic eventually got their reward with a Keelan McEntee goal.  It looked like Keelan's goal would be enough, but with minutes left on the clock, Drums got an unlikely equaliser to take the game to extra-time.

Extra time was a much more even affair, with chances going to both sides.  The decisive moment in the game came with only 3 mins remaining.  A corner for Celtic bounced off a Drums' defender, and the ball fell invitingly for Michael Walsh, who hit an unstoppable half-volley into the top corner of the net.  There was great joy as Shane had taken his team to the Cup Final in his first season of football management.  They can look forward to a very appetising run-in with the league title up for grabs and a place in the Cup Final.  Well done to all involved, especially the squad of committed kids who are reaping the fruits of their hard work at training.