Sun, 2nd April 2006

Result: 0-11 to 1-07

Castleknock got off to a winning start in their Division 7 league clash away to Skerries Harps with a marginal one point victory. Things didn’t start well for the Knock conceding a soft goal in the opening two minutes but dogged determination brought the lads back into contention by half time. Despite playing into a stiff breeze the experienced Paddy Molloy settled the troops with a few well taken points from distance. A resolute defence, with Stephen McCabe and Damian Griffin in great form, and some wayward longballs from Skerries helped the Knock go into the interval only one point down, 0-6 to 1-4.

Enter the Bull, and a bit of steel was added to the Knock play as long range points were added from Cathal Gallagher and a determined Molloy upfront. Skerries were restricted to placed balls in the second half and converted most of their chances in front of the posts. The introduction of the ever youthful Gerry Kelly and promising Dublin minor Rory Corcoran helped seal the victory with the latter causing havoc in the Skerries rearguard.

Team captain for the year, Denis Lally led by example from the back and was one of several relieved Knock players to leave Skerries with the vital points. All those who travelled to Skerries were left in no doubt that Willie Brennan’s men mean business this season.

Team; Darren McCabe, Stephen McCabe, Denis Lally, John McMenamin, Damian Griffin, David Leydon, Ger O’Brien, Stephen Lynch, Fergus (Iggy) Reilly, Cathal Gallagher (0-1), Paddy Molloy (0-4), Eoghan O’Callaghan, Ambrose Galligan (0-1), Barry Farrelly (0-3), Paddy O’Brien (0-1)

Subs; Paul (the Bull) Mulvihill, Gerry Kelly, Rory Corcoran (0-1), James O’Connor, Niall Tutty, Eoin O’Baoil

Management; Willie Brennan, Mick Lynch