Junior A Football vs Lucan Sarsfields
Sun, 25th May 2003
Result: 2-07 to 4-07

Adult Football League Division 7

Lucan Sarsfields 4-7 Castleknock ‘A’ 2-7

Castleknock proved once again last Sunday that they aren’t great travelers, with another loss on the road, this time against old rivals Lucan Sarsfields in Griffith Park. Brian Kelly declared himself available for selection after losing his contact lens on a nightclub dancefloor on Friday night. Cool Hand claimed he eventually found the lens but this was clearly untrue judging by his companion later on that night.

The match started off at a slow enough pace with both opponents sizing each other after many a ding dong battle over the years. Castleknock took the lead through a few points from Gerry Kelly and Conal McBrearty after some nice tidy play from the defence. Lucan responded with a few points of their own through good link up play from their tanned centre forward. To get his own back, An Laoch strode up the pitch and struck a great point from 35 yards. Obviously watching Francie Grehan. Then tragedy struck the Knock. Tony Nulty emerged with the ball after a high ball into the goalmouth and after he released, he was felled from behind by a Sarsfields player and promptly dislocated the shoulder, AGAIN!! Unlucky for the netminder who has been bedeviled with the suspect shoulder for the past while. Get well soon T. Big Stephen Lynch came off the bench in place of Tony.

Castleknock took a 3 point lead when good interplay between the forwards found Martin Griffin at the edge of the square and Tipp man made no mistake despite the best efforts of the mucky puddle in the goal. Then, in a carbon copy move a few moments later Patsy McGinnell was about to pull the trigger and was fouled. After much shaking of heads by Castleknock players when asked to take the penalty it was left to Gerry Kelly to take it. It was a good shot but the keeper made a great save. On the rebound Kelly then miscued wide. Nightmare. Lucan got bit of wind in their sails and came back at Castleknock. A speculative lob at the Castleknock goal was debated between both umpires whether it was wide or a point when the referee decided it was a goal. Not the last poor decision of the day.

Half time score: Castleknock ‘A’ 1-4 Lucan Sarsfields 1-3

The second half was a much tougher affair for Castleknock with Lucan upping their game and becoming more tigerish in the backs. They claimed an early goal to take the lead and then tacked on a couple of points. It was all hands on deck now with Dave Dempsey and Wille Fogarty clearing some great balls out of defence. Castleknock kept in touch with points from Gerry Kelly and one from Dominic Smith after a great turn off his marker.

“Now on Crimewatch we have two acts of assault on Sunday morning last where the culprits went unpunished by a biased referee and we’re hoping you can help us. Can you identify these hooligans? The first act took place when a male in his 40s, known as ‘the legend’, was clean through on the Lucan goal with only the keeper to beat and was brutally attacked by his marker. The referee then waved play on. We are very disappointed with the referee’s decision on this.”
“Are you sergeant?”
“We are Marian. The second attack took place, when a gangster, known locally as Cool Hand, was emerging with a ball from the Castleknock defence when he was scythed down quite viciously by a Lucan player. Again the referee waved play on and this resulted in a goal for Lucan. Any help in explaining these two cruel acts would be greatly appreciated Marian.”

So there you have it. Lucan went into a two goal lead instead of possibly the scores been level. Castleknock fought back to get a late goal through Gerry Kelly but just to rub salt in the wounds Lucan then scored one final goal at the end to put the nail in the coffin. Sin é boys. There was a lot of sorry heads in the Bell on Sunday what with Cavan losing also. But at least Gerry Brown was smiling with his big yellow Antrim hat. Up the Glens!!!!

Thought for the Day: You can’t win ‘em all. Just ask Cavan.

Scorers: Gerry Kelly (1-3), Martin Griffin (1-0), Dominic Smith (0-1), Conal McBrearty (0-1), Davy Leydon (0-1), Peter McKillen (0-1)

Team: Tony ‘Christ, me arm’ Nulty, Denis Lally, Shane Reilly, Brian ‘Eye eye’ Kelly, Willie Fogarty, Davy ‘An Laoch’ Leydon, Dave Dempsey, Declan Reilly, Eoin O’Callaghan, Peter McKillen, Gerry Kelly, Conal McBrearty, Patsy ‘the Legend’ McGinnell, Dominic Smith, Martin Griffin
Sub : Stephen Lynch, Waterboy: Donal Cunningham