U-16 Major DDSL League

Sun. 2nd Nov. 03

Castleknock Celtic  2  Verona Boys  2

It was a bright fresh day for this local derby.  Verona started the day as favourites after a run of good results following a couple of reverses at the start of the season.  But local rivalries usually mean that form counts for little, and so it proved yet again.

Mark Bohan put the visitors ahead to signal Verona's intent that they wanted to continue their winning ways.  But Paddy Andrews, brother of Peadar the intercounty footballer, hit a beauty to bring the scores level, possibly a bit against the run of play.  Verona got lucky before half time when referee Dave Farrell awarded them a penalty.  The Celtic supporters couldn't believe their eyes.  But their protests fell on deaf ears and Gerard McCormack stepped up and cooly slotted home the spot kick.  2-1 to Verona at H-T.

Verona had the greater amount of possession in the second half and had some good chances, but they failed to convert, thanks mainly to the bravery of Celtic keeper Dave O'Connor, even though he was not match fit.  And they were made pay when Paddy Andrews again was the scourge, when he jinked in the box and shot from the left hand side of the box, which rebounded off the foot of the left post.  The ever-dependable Lorcan McCarthy seized on the opportunity and rifled home form ten metres.  While Celtic had to survive a few scares toward the finish, both sides seemed content with a share of the spoils.