Thu, 6th July 2006

Junior A Championship 1st Round Replay

Civil Service 1-5 Castleknock 3-17

A brilliant first half display by Castleknock footballers laid the foundation for a comprehensive victory over Civil Service in the replay of the first round of the Junior A Championship in Islandbridge on Thursday night. Although winning matches in the league, the Castleknock team had been stop start recently but this was the game where all the hard work put in by the players and mentors over the past few months came to fruition.

From the off, Castleknock tore into the game and went 0-7 to 0-0 within 15 minutes. Paddy Molloy was really on his game both from play and frees and was also sporting a severe looking haircut that should ensure he doesn’t have to buy hair gel or borrow it off Tommy Corcoran for the next couple of weeks. Castleknock’s play was simple but effective. Start play in the half back line by stopping Civil Service attacks, move ball up to midfield, kick accurate passes into forwards who release to onrushing players who stick it over the bar. Great to watch and even better when it’s your own team.

Service decided to move one of their corner forwards out to the half forward line but this was a big mistake as the Raff (Alan Rafferty) (Fav Film: Shawshank Redemption) proceeded to win a mountain of ball and intercept any attack by Service. One such interception resulted in a ball being played into Tommy Corcoran who carried it down the left wing. Apparently shackled in the corner, he screwed an effort off the outside of the left boot that landed just over the bar. Paddy Molloy was doing his fair share too and was winning high ball or breaking it to Rory Corcoran and the pair treated themselves to a couple of points. Another well won ball by Paddy resulted in a goal when he burst by a defender and finished it to the back of the net.

Castleknock had their tails up and the effort being put in by the players was unbelievable, especially by John MacMenamin and his forward bursting runs and Stephen Lynch and Donal Brady who took a stranglehold in midfield and dovetailed beautifully that the English duo of Frank Lampard and Stevie G can only dream about. Lynchy was displaying the form so prominent in last year’s championship and a long ball from him found Fergus “Iggy” Reilly on the run who spotted Rory Corcoran inside. Rory had to bit to do and with the aid of a few extra steps he suddenly unleashed a shot that almost ripped the net apart. Super play from the Castleknock men. A few points then from the right wing by Paddy O’Brien, Donal Brady and Donal O’Grady exposed the Service left back which resulted in his early substitution.

Service made some sort of an effort at a comeback with a goal following an overlap but again the Raff (Fav score Pauraic Joyce’s goal v Kildare 1998), Denis Lally and the ever busy Stephen McCabe shut up shop again for the remainder of the half.

Half Time: Civil Service 1-2 Castleknock 2-13

The second half found Castleknock even more determined as they were now playing into a slight breeze so ball was kept in hand until the right pass could be made. Tommy Corcoran picked up where he left off in the first half and a roving run by him was followed by an almighty point. Then we were treated to the bizarre sight of a headed point. Rory Corcoran got another great ball from Iggy, sprinted clear of the defence and was straight through on goal. His shot was low and deflected off the keepers’s legs where it hit Rory on the chest then head and went over the bar. A magnificent effort.

Once again the Castleknock rearguard were rock solid with Denis sweeping to great effect and dealing with the desperate long balls now being deployed by Civil Service. Behind him Eoin O’Baoill dealt capably with everything that came his way and played out of trouble using Raff (Fav Band: U2), Brian Kelly and Ger O’Brien. As the Service legs tired, Castleknock introduced Eoghan O’Callaghan, Gerry Kelly and David Leydon into the fray and these thoroughbreds increased the intensity once more.

Donal and Stephen had now formed a resolute barrier across midfield with John Mac covering in behind. Castleknock controlled possession and began to play the ball around with abandon. Quick hands around the centre of the park found Iggy on the 40 and his long ball inside fell to Davy Leydon who managed to bundle it into the net. As the Service boys hung their heads the referee put them out of their misery and blew the whistle to end it all.

So congrats to Willie Brennan, Mick Marren and Pat McKeon, all the players and the sizeable support for a great evening. Hopefully Castleknock have put down a big marker for the Junior A Championship.

Quote of the Day: “Who’s the well dressed tramp?”

Team: Eoin O’Baoill, Stephen McCabe, Denis Lally, Alan (Fav Food: Thai) Raftery, Brian Kelly, John McMennamin, Ger O’Brien, Stephen Lynch, Donal Brady (0-2), Damien O’Grady (0-1), Iggy Reilly, Paddy O’Brien (0-2), Paddy Molloy (1-6), Tommy Corcoran (0-4), Rory Corcoran (1-2)
Subs: Eoghan O’Callaghan, Davy Leydon (1-0), Gerry Kelly, Ambrose Galligan