Junior A Football vs Fingallians
Sun, 30th March 2003
Result: 4-09 to 0-12

Adult Football League Division 7

Castleknock ‘A’ 4-9 Fingallians 0-12

Castleknock got back on track in their league campaign with a superb win against a highly fancied Fingallians team on Sunday morning. Tactical savvy provided by Fionan on Thursday night was well heeded by the forwards and Castleknock raced into a 3-2 to 0-2 score within 15 minutes. Peter McKillen wriggled his way in for the first goal and placed his shot in the left hand corner. Dominic Smith took a great catch on the turn, soloed the ball and buried the shot under the keeper’s body. Then good inter-linking play between the forwards and good running off the ball left the ‘Legend’ McGinnell free and he made no mistake from 14 yards.

Fins were stunned and tried to get themselves back into the game but the Castleknock defence were brilliant, hounding after every ball, and forced Fins to go backwards and shoot from long range. Shane Reilly commanded the edge of square and Mick Geaney and Dave Dempsey snapped onto every breaking ball and distributed intelligently.

Half time score: Castleknock 3-4 Fingallians 0-6

Immediately upon the restart Eoin O’Callaghan, who was having a mighty game with Declan Reilly in midfield, caught the ball from the throw-in and passed into Dominic Smith who released Conal McBrearty for a point. Then a kickout from the Fins keeper was caught by O’Callaghan who fed Dominic Smith. With the keeper caught in no man’s land Smith coolly finished the ball to the keeper’s left. This score effectively killed off the Fingallians challenge.

Again disciplined and resolute defending from Castleknock meant that Fingallians didn’t have a sniff of goals and only a sympathetic referee meant they got a couple of frees to ensure they weren’t beaten by double scores. Castleknock killed off the game with a couple of long range scores from McBrearty who was set up nicely by the classy Barry Farrelly.

A great result for Castleknock which means they’re right back in contention. Celebratory pints were had in the Bell with An Laoch leading the singing party. Paddy Wade showed up fresh from Lansdowne. People were asking was he playing in the front row for Ireland but alas he was only patrolling the front row of the East Stand in his role as security.

Scorers: Dominic Smith (2-0), Patsy McGinnell (1-2), Conal McBrearty (0-4), Peter McKillen (1-0), Gerry Kelly (0-2), Barry Farrelly (0-1),

Castleknock Team: Tony Nulty, Willie Fogarty, Shane Reilly, Denis Lally, Eoin Moloney, Mick Geaney, David Dempsey, Declan Reilly, Eoin O’Callaghan, Gerry Kelly, Barry Farrelly, Conal McBrearty, Peter McKillen, Dominic Smith, Patsy McGinnell. Subs used: John McMennamin, Tony Corcoran