Junior A Football vs Na Fianna
Sun, 23rd March 2003
Result: 0-10 to 1-05

A good win for the Adult A team against Na Fianna in the Parson Cup

Na Fianna 1-5 Castleknock A 0-10

Castleknock continued on their mazy cup run with a hard worked win over Na Fianna in St. Vincents school in Glasnevin on Sunday morning. It was a welcome return for a couple of players who had recently suffered injuries like Shane Reilly and Conal McBrearty and some who had babies like Patsy McGinnell (not him, the wife!).

The first half was a patchy affair with Castleknock dominating in the backline and the forward line but unable to create openings for scoring chances. It was frustrating that Castleknock’s evident superiority was not being reflected on the scoreboard. Denis Lally and Mick Geaney were first to every ball and solid on it. Davy Leyden and Dave Dempsey held steady in the back line and the excellence of O’Callaghan and Reilly in midfield was apparent when the opposition keeper tried to bypass midfield and directed every kickout to his wingbacks. Barry Farrelly was lively up front as was Evergreen McGinnill but the half finished 0-3 apiece with scores coming from a great point by Farrelly and two from Gerry Kelly, one an overhit pass that hopped over the bar but sure they all count. A couple of missed frees meant Na Fianna were still in it.

There was not much that Fionán could say at half time as the team were playing well but just needed to settle. This they did when Barry Farrelly was switched to centre forward with Gerry Kelly moving to the edge of the square. A couple of early frees for Castleknock were slotted over the bar and the forwards began to look comfortable. Conal McBrearty benefited from a quick free and pointed and Patsy McGinnell did likewise moments later. A bit of daylight emerged between the teams which Na Fianna tried to close through their No.11 with some great long range frees. An Laoch had to curb some of his attacking instincts and put the shackles on the centre-forward.

Na Fianna’s goal was a scrapy affair…enough said. Anyway, the teams were now level and Castleknock had to step it up a gear. This they did when a nice ball from Peter McKillen released Gerry Kelly for a point and then the ‘Auld Fella’ McGinnell unleashed a booming effort from about 35 yards out ‘agin the wind to finish off the Na Fianna challenge. No doubt the distance from the goal, the difficulty of the angle and the strength of the wind will all increase in weeks to come as more porter is drank. A good win for Castleknock and their Cup campaign remains on track.

Cool Hand, McGinnell is breathing down your neck!

Scorers: Gerry Kelly (0-5 2f), Barry Farrelly (0-2), Patsy McGinnell (0-2), Conal McBrearty (0-1)

Team: Tony Nulty, Mick Geaney, Shane Reilly, Denis Lally, Eoin Moloney, Davy Leydon, David Dempsey, Declan Reilly, Eoin O’Callaghan, Conal McBrearty, Gerry Kelly, Peter McKillen, Patsy McGinnell, Barry Farrelly, Tony Corcoran.
Subs used: Niall Tutty