Junior A Football vs St. Kevins
Thu, 8th May 2003
Result: 0-5 to 1-11
Adult Football League Division 7

St Kevins/Killians 1-11 Castleknock ‘A’ 0-5

Castleknock traveled to Newlands Cross on Thursday Evening for a crunch Junior 4 match against St Kevins Killians. With both teams having steady starts to the season, a win would prove to be a vital boost to either side in this already tightly packed division.

When the match kicked off, Castleknock started poorly as their opponents raced out of the traps. St Kevins notched a couple of early scores to put the ‘Knock lads on the back foot from the off. But slowly and surely, Castleknock edged into the game.

Without playing anything near their potential, Castleknock clung to their opponents coat-tails for the first half. This was literally true for sharpshooter Kelly after just 20 minutes, who’s scientific pre-match diet of Bulmers and Kings Crisps has yet to convince many of his peers!!!

As a result, scores were very hard to come by. Impressive first half runs by Jaffa McKillen and McBrearty didn’t result in the desired scores, which summed up the Castleknock first half. Playing against a stiff breeze in the opening 30 minutes, Castleknock knocked over just 3 points to stay in it. These scores were tagged on by a McBrearty free and two from Smith. With the defense competing well, especially “An Laoch” Leydon and David Dempsey, Castleknock only trailed by 4 at the break.

Half time score: St. Kevins/Killians 0-7 Castleknock ‘A’ 0-3

The “blue and Safrin” charged out for the second half, ready for the vital battle ahead. An early O’ Callaghan point was just what was ordered, as Castleknock looked to rise to the challenge. But the comeback never materialized as Kevins kept their lead all throughout the second half, with Castleknock forced to live off scraps for the remainder of the game. Smith came scavenging to midfield soon after, obviously those “golden” togs have given the man new found freedom but his best efforts were to no avail.

Alas, no golden togs, pints of Bulmers, jaffa cakes or even a “Legend” were going to help Castleknock win this one. With Nulty and Mick Geaney doing well in the second half, Castleknock hung in there until the end but if there was ever a night in which everything went wrong, Thursday was the one. Sure when Gerry Kelly saw the length of the grass before kick-off, he announced his game was best suited to fast, hard ground (confusing, as he has the raw speed of a hippo with a dodgy ankle!!). All and all, better left forgotten.

Thought for the Day: The hurleys are there to be broken lads.

Scorers: Dominic Smith (0-2), Conal McBrearty (0-1), Eoghan O’ Callaghan Gerry Kelly (0-1)

Team: Tony Nulty, Eoin Moloney, Shane Reilly, Mick Geaney, Peter McKillen, Davy Leydon, Dave Dempsey, Declan Reilly, Eoin O’Callaghan, Gerry Kelly, Barry Farrelly, Conal McBrearty, Patsy McGinnell, Dominic Smith, Tony Doran.
Subs: Martin Griffin, John McMenammin