Junior B Football vs Ballyboden St. Endas
Sat, 21st May 2005
Result: 1-06 to 0-07

Castleknock qualified for the last 16 of the Junior D Football championship after a tough match with Ballyboden at Porterstown on Saturday night. Just two days after their first round win over O’Dwyers, the home side produced gritty and determined football to progress to the 3rd round.

It was Ballyboden that made the better start to this match, taking the initiative from the first whistle with 3 quick points. Castleknock were slow to get going and could not find that target early on when they did get the ball into Ballyboden’s half. But the home side did find their rhythm as the half wore on and gradually found their range, with Paul Fitzgerald getting an excellent point from out wide, to leave the side level at half time, 0 –3 each.

The home side began to take control of the game in the second half with James Canney winning a lot of ball in midfield. Following a couple of points early in the half, Patsy McGinnell struck for the decisive goal after 40 minutes to leave Castleknock 4 points up. From that point on, it was the home side’s defence which had to perform heroics to keep Ballyboden at bay, with Mick Stokes, Mick Geaney and captain John Smith in particular helping to hold onto the lead. Despite the away team pushing everything forward in the last few minutes, Castleknock held firm for a 2 point win and a place in the third round.

Castleknock: Eoin Baille, Aidan McGinty, Mick Stokes, Liam Kinnucane, Paddy Gaffney, Mick Geaney, John Smith, Keith O’Brien, James Canney, John O’Brien, Tom Finnegan (0-3), Paul Fitzgerald (0 –1), Patsy McGinnell (1- 1), Barry O’Reilly (0-1), Colin Byrne (Tony Kelly, 50 mins)