Castleknock Celtic 2 (Sean Hanlon, and own goal) Malahide 1 (Sean Brennan)
Congratulations to both these U-9 teams for a very fine entertaining cup final in the Amateur League headquarters. It was end to end stuff from the start. After seven minutes, it was Malahide who struck. Sean Brennan (in red across) let fly from long twenty metres and it went in over the excellent Celtic keeper, Glen Doyle, who was outstanding throughout, and earned this reporter's man of the match accolade. [Is that Coca Cola I see on the side of Glen's photo?]
Celtic went close after two minutes into the second quarter when Conor Mooney went ever so close with a fine effort from long range. Then after five minutes of second quarter, Dave Cummins got possession in the middle of the park, beat two men, and unselfishly laid on a beautiful pass for Sean Hanlon to tap home from close range. The game was well and truly on.
In the third quarter, Conor Mooney went close after 2 minutes. Then the decisive blow was struck. A throw in on the Celtic right by David Barnes was unluckily deflected as an own goal into the Malahide goal to give Celtic the crucial advantage. Play fluctuated from box to box, but in truth it was Celtic who looked the more likely, and Sean Hanlon, Brian Moriarty and Dave Cummins, all went close.
While it was a team effort, all players making a vital contribution, Ryan Hickey deserves special mention for his commanding display at the back.