Castleknock through to Junior D Hurling Championship Final - Semi-Final match report v Trinity Gaels

13th October 2024

Junior D Hurling Championship Semi-Final
Venue: Drumnigh
Full-time (after extra-time): Trinity Gaels 1-16 Castleknock 1-20

In near perfection weather conditions and played on an immaculate pitch in Drumnigh, Trinity Gaels hosted Castleknock (3rd Adult Team) in the Junior D Hurling Championship semi-final. The game started at a frenetic pace with five points scored in the first five minutes, the last score being a fine point scored by David Strappe from a tight angle to nudge Castleknock ahead 0-3 to 0-2. At this point Trinity Gaels began to assert some dominance around the middle third scoring the next two points to edge ahead 0-4 to 0-3. A fine point after some good team interplay from Oisin Tolan brought the sides level, before Trinity Gaels took a firm grip of the game scoring 5 of the next 6 points to open up a 4 point gap 0-9 to 0-5 as half-time approached. The solitary Castleknock score in this period was from a free from Sean Dempsey. During this period the Castleknock full-back line was under severe pressure but held out very well, with a fantastic last ditch tackle from Brian Birmingham preventing a near certain goal. The half ended with Ross O’Carroll fielding a high ball and then splitting the posts to the leave the half-time score: Half-time score: Trinity Gaels 0-9 Castleknock 0-6

The second half began with Castleknock on the attack, and after a couple of wides, 2 pointed frees from Sean Dempsey and a point from play from team captain Joe Murray brought the sides level at 0-9 to 0-9 apiece. Trinity Gaels then responded with a pointed free and a point from play to nudge 0-11 to 0-9 ahead, but Castleknock hit back with a fine point from play from Ben O’Neill, who was making a strong impact having been introduced as a sub early in the 2nd half, and another pointed free from Sean Dempsey to leave the teams deadlocked at 0-11 to 0-11 half way through the 2nd half.

An excellently worked move by Trinity Gaels ended with a ground stroke to the net for the 1st goal of the game. Castleknock responded almost immediately and after a fine run, Oisin Tolan’s low angled shot found the net to bring the sides level again. Pointed frees were exchanged, and after a superb pass from Conor Roche, Sean Dempsey split the posts to nudge Castleknock ahead 1-13 to 1-12 as the game entered the final 5 minutes. Trinity Gaels then showed tremendous character to fight back and after 2 pointed frees took the lead again at 1-14 to 1-13 as the game entered injury time. In a welter of excitement Castleknock pushed for the equalising score and forced a 65 with time almost up. Sean Dempsey under the utmost pressure pointed the 65 to leave final score: Full-time score: Trinity Gaels 1-14 Castleknock 1-14

The game then went to 2 periods of 10 minutes extra-time. Trinity Gaels grabbed the early initiative with 2 scores in the first 5 minutes, but Castleknock responded with 2 points of their own, with sub Oisin O’Neill pointing after a superb high catch to leave the sides deadlocked again at 1-16 apiece at half time in extra time.

An early pointed free followed by a point from play pushed Castleknock 2 points ahead. Trinity Gaels showed character and resilience again and pushed hard for the equalising scores but were denied by a resolute Castleknock defence. After laying siege to the Castleknock goal, 2 quick counter attacks resulted in 2 points from play from sub Conan Feeney, the 2nd point being a fine long range effort. Trinity Gaels now needed a goal, and forced a close range free with time almost up which was superbly saved by Castleknock goalkeeper, Hugh Golden. The referee then blew the final whistle to end what had been a superb see-saw game of hurling with the final score: Full-time score (after extra-time): Trinity Gaels 1-16 Castleknock 1-20

This was a fine sporting game between two evenly matched teams. Credit to both clubs for this, and a special mention to Trinity Gaels for the superb playing surface and facilities.

Castleknock now play local neighbours St Brigids in the championship final on Sunday 27th October in Somerton at 11.00.