NDSL 14D

Sun 25th Sept 05

Castleknock Celtic 4   Dunshaughlin Youths  3

Marvellous Spectacle Ends in Victory for Sean Dunne's Troops

This was a marvellous advert for schoolboys soccer in Porterstown.  Dunshaughlin were out of the blocks like sprinters, and were 2-0 to the good after 20 minutes.  Adam Delamere was the first to strike.  He was followed by Stephen Clusker who broke down the Celtic defence and shot home from close range.  2-0 to the visitors at half-time.

Celtic were revitalised on the resumption after manager Sean Dunne reminded them of the fundamentals of the game and advised that they keep it simple.  After 7 minutes of the second half, Cillian Quinn, who tormented the Co Meath side throughout, was on hand to shoot past Paul Keane in goal.  5 minutes later, a free was awarded to Celtic 25 metres out.  Mark Fitzsimons stepped up and sent a Beckham-like shot into the roof of the net.  2-2 and great excitement on the line.

But Dunshaughlin were roused and they broke forward, and Declan Morley took his chance to put his side 3-2 ahead.  It was the visitors turn to celebrate.

On 25 minutes of the second period, it was Mark Fitzsimons again who latched onto a corner from Oladet Mashan 'Dilly', and it was all square again.  3-3.  Nerves were at breaking point.  But both teams wanted a result.

5 minutes from time, man of the match, Dilly, who had worked his socks off, raced in to shoot past the Paul Keane in the Dunshaughlin goal.  The Celtic fans raced onto the field to celebrate.  After order was restored, it was all hands to the pump for Celtic, who fought a rearguard action to keep the visitors out and to record the narrowest of victories.  Perhaps a draw would have been a fair result, but over a season, these things usually even themselves out.