Junior A Football vs Ballymun Kicks
Sun, 11th May 2003
Result: 1-12 to 1-09

Adult Football League Division 7

Castleknock ‘A’ 1-12 -v- Ballymun Kickhams 1-9

Castleknock returned to winning ways on Sunday last after a disappointing defeat to St. Kevins/Killians during the week. As the team list was announced it was a shock to see Brian “Cool Hand” Kelly, the deadly finisher that he is (of Big Mac Meals), being selected at corner back. It was imperative that Castleknock get a win to stay in contention in this league. They had already beaten Ballymun in the cup at the start of the season and hopefully the same could be repeated.

Castleknock started well with Eoin O’Callaghan bursting through for a point following a strong run from midfield. Golden Togs Smith was also showing well in the full forward line and causing problems for his marker until he shipped a heavy blow. Cool Hand was a revelation at corner back, being first to every ball and clearing accurately. Castleknock then took the upper hand when a long ball from midfield was broken by the Legend into the inviting arms of Gerry Kelly who finished to the net. Castleknock were moving well now and with Denis Lally sweeping up in the full back line and Davy “An Laoch” Leydon making some daring runs up the pitch the match was swinging in their favour. A few more scores tagged on by the Castleknock forwards left a bit of daylight between the teams but in a move starting form the corner back position Ballymun engineered a goal due to some great running off the ball. They then tagged on another point to leave 4 points between the sides at half time.

Half time score: Castleknock ‘A’ 1-9 Ballymun Kickhams 1-5

Mick Geaney came off at half time with a sore ankle but some folks reckoned he was hoping to make it down home early to see Limerick knock the stuffing out of his home county. Tommy McKeon, ex-club starlet, went on at full forward with Golden Togs moving to centre back. The second half was a much tighter affair with Castleknock finding it difficult to apply the killer blow. McKeon hit the post with a shot and moments later the Legend, for the second week running, rattled a humdinger off the crossbar. Still no sign of that Russian linesman. Ballymun crawled their way back into it with some classy subs but Castleknock kept the pressure up with Barry Farrelly, McKeon and the Legend all finding the target. Honourable mention must go to Frank Brown who wins the ‘Joe Coyle award of the week’ for calling Farrelly’s effort a point. We salute you Frank. Ballymun needed a goal at this stage but some resolute defending from Lally and Cool Hand and good ball carrying and clearances from defence by Eoin Moloney and An Laoch meant Castleknock were victorious. In a bizarre move Mick Geaney who was injured came back onto the pitch to replace Golden Togs who felt something snap. That was the string in the shorts Dom.

So a good effort by the Castleknock boys who thoroughly deserved the win and got the mid week match out of their systems.

Thought for the Day: If you haven’t the craic you’ve nathin.

Scorers: Gerry Kelly (1-4), Barry Farrelly (0-2), Dominic Smith (0-2), Conal McBrearty (0-1), Tommy McKeown (0-1), Patsy McGinnell (0-1), Eoin O’Callaghan (0-1)

Team: Tony Nulty, Willie Fogarty, Denis Lally, Brian “Cool Hand” Kelly, Eoin Moloney, Mick Geaney, Davy “An Laoch” Leydon, Declan Reilly, Eoin O’Callaghan, Gerry Kelly, Barry Farrelly, Conal McBrearty, Patsy “The Legend” McGinnell, Dominic Smith, Tony Dalton.
Subs : Tommy McKeon, Mick Geaney (!)