Wednesday, May 30, 2007
A narrow defeat in our final match of the season
It was a lovely sunny evening and all the team played very well. Niamh, Dylan and Zhudi all had plenty of good shots in the first half, but the Dunshaughlin goalie was on top form to keep a clean sheet. At the other end of the pitch Dunshaughin managed to get a lucky ball lobbed over the head of Omar who was our goalie for the night.
In the second half our strong defence team of Frank and Andy was made even stronger by a brilliant performance from Colin which earned him the title of man-of-the-match. However, Dunshaughlin managed to score another goal in the second half to leave the final score at 2-0.
Overall the tam can be proud of a great performance on Monday night and all though the season. We ended up in sixth place in the league which is a great result for our first season together. I am looking forward to next season already.
Labels: match_report
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Rivervalley prove too strong
Zhudi played a brilliant match in goal, to be a very deserving man-of-the-match. Unfortunately he saw too much action in the first half and we were lucky to be only 2-0 down at half time.
The second half was barely started when Rivervalley stretched their lead to 3-0. Castleknock fought back bravely and it looked like they might even get back into the game, but Rivervalley scored again in the final minute to leave the final score at 4-0.
We can only hope that Dunshaughlin prove to be easier opposition on Monday next.
Labels: match_report
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Some bad luck leads to defeat in a high scoring game
We started off the match strongly and has several good chances early in the game. However, the referee awarded a penalty against us in a very harsh hand-ball decision. Maynooth slotted the ball into the corner of the net to go in front.
Castleknock continued to dominate the exchanges and it seemed like it would only be a short time before we got an equaliser. However, our luck turned even worse when twice in a row Maynooth shots were deflected off defenders to slip past Andy to give Maynooth a three goal lead. This run of bad luck seemed to knock our confidence and Castleknock lost concentration. Maynooth took advantage of that to score two more well deserved goals before half time.
Gavin gave a inspiring half time speech so the team came out much stronger after half time. Nado, Niamh and Niamh strung some great passes together and then Omar scored a great goal to leave the score at 5-1. Maynooth were quick on the counter attack and managed to stretch their lead to 6-1. However, Castleknock did not let this lead distract them and they continued to attack strongly. Omar managed to get a further 2 goals to complete his hat-trick.
All the team played well, and I was especially pleased to see that the passing is getting much better. The man-of-the-match award goes to Frank who had a great game in defence.
Labels: match_report
Friday, May 04, 2007
Walk over against Malahide
Labels: fixtures, match_report
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Dunshaulghlin prove to be tough opposition
We were literally facing an uphill struggle during our match against Dunshaughlin. The home team made good use of the slope in the pitch to take an early lead by slipping the ball past Dylan our goalie for the night who had no chance of saving the ball. The score stayed at 1-0 for the rest of the first half.
We thought that the change of direction in the second half would give us a chance to get back on level terms, but instead it was Dunshaughlin who took the initiative and scored two more goals to lead 3-0 going into the final minutes of the game.
I am glad to see that the team kept on trying to the end of the game despite being behind. We were awarded a penalty in the last minute of the game and Omar stepped up to coolly slip it into the corner of the net (I think José Mourinho will be in touch judging by the relatively poor penalty taking by the Chelsea team). This left the final score at 3-1 to Dunshaughlin.
It was hard to pick out who was most deserving of the man-of-the-match award, but after careful deliberation we decided to give it to Jean who was in surprisingly good form considering her long lay-off.
Labels: match_report
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Defeat by Priorswood
It was a lovely sunny morning as we travelled to the away match against Priorswood. However, things started to go wrong before the match even started when Andy cut his head while playing in the playground beside the pitch.
Our captain Zhudi won the toss and decided to play with the strong wind. Both teams had many attacking chances early on, but it was Priorswood who managed to score the first goal. The home team were still celebrating this goal when Omar managed to get us back on level terms. Both Niamh and Zhudi had several good shots with balls that were passed up from mid-field by Dylan, Robert and David, but the score was still 1-1 at half time.
As the second half got under way, Priorswood managed to get into the lead after two of their players were left unmarked in the penalty box leaving Nado with no chance to keep the ball out. Castleknock threw everything into attack to try and get level, but this left them exposed at the back and Priorswood managed to sneak in two late goals to leave the score at 4-1.
Our man-of-the-match was Frank who had a great match in defense with Cathal. This was a much closer match than the result would seem to indicate. I am confident that we can get back into winning form for our match against Dunshaughlin on Monday. Hopefully Andy will be fully recovered by then.
Labels: match_report
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Narrow victory against Ratoath
The wind was with us in the second half and Robert managed to put us in the lead. A short while afterwards Zhudi managed to stretch our lead by scoring on his third attempt after having two shots saved and rebound off the Ratoath Keeper.
All our team played well, but in particular David O'Connor was declared man-of-the-match for his great performance at mid-field.
Castleknock began to feel confident at this stage and threw all their efforts into attack. This was a mistake because Ratoath counter attacked and managed to get the ball to three unmarked players in the box. Our goalie Nado had no chance of stopping this attack and our lead was pulled back to a single goal The final few minutes of the game were very tense as Ratoath tried valiantly for an equaliser.
Luckily we were able to hold off for a narrow 2-1 victory. This result keeps us in 4th position in the league, but level on points with Maynooth in third place and only 2 points behind the leaders Howth.
Here are some clips of the action curtsey of YouTube:
Labels: match_report
Monday, April 16, 2007
Victory against Clonee
The players seemed to be tired after the cup match at the weekend and it initially looked like Clonee would take the lead. Luckily Andy was in top form clearing any dangerous balls and Frank was alert in the goal for the few balls which passed him.
Colin arrived late in his dad's shiny new Saab just as Dylan got injured. Colin joined the game straight away and so we were not left short. David and Robert played a great partnership in mid-field pumping several good balls up into Cathal who was playing forward for a change. Nado was helping out all over the pitch as usual.
When the second half was already started, Omar and Zhudi arrived to help out. Castleknock began to get into their stride and both Robert and Zhudi forced the Clonee keeper to make a number of dramatic saves. It was only a matter of time before the pressure paid off when one of Zhudi's shots slipped in off the post.
It was another great team performance, but overall Robert was a deserving winner of the man-of-the-match award for sustained effort over the whole match. Well done everyone, we are going from strength to strength as the season progresses.
Labels: match_report
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Portrane put an end to our cup campaign
It was a beautiful sunny day when we travelled out to Portrane for our semi-final match against St Ita's AFC. However the day began to turn bad as soon as the match got started. The home team started very strongly and they managed to score two goals early in the match. Andy our goalkeeper for the day had no chance to get near either shot.
I am glad to see that we did not let this setback dent our confidence. We continued to put pressure on in the attack and both Zhudi and Niamh forced the home keeper to make a few dramatic saves. In the second half our pressure finally paid off when Nado scored a brilliant goal to bring the score back to 2-1.
We continued to press strongly for an equaliser, but St Ita's were always dangerous in the counter attack. Andy pulled off a very dramatic save with his hip before they finally managed to slip one in to stretch their lead to 3-1. Despite our best efforts, we were unable to narrow the gap before the end of the game.
Nado was running non-stop for the whole game helping out in attack, defence and midfield. In addition he never argued with the referee. Therefore he was declared man-of-the-match. While this spells the end of our cup campaign, all the team can be very proud of their performance today and through the whole campaign.
Labels: match_report
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Narrow victory over Howth in semi-final of shield
However, once the match got under way it was clear that this was going to be no easy match. Howth started to attack early and were awarded a penalty for a dubious hand-ball in the area. Lucky for us they kicked the ball over the bar, although Cathal was well lined up to save it anyway.
Shortly afterwards, Howth managed to score a goal and take the lead. Our captain Nado was ably assisted by Omar, David and Robert to dominate the mid-field and kept a strong supply of balls into Niamh and Zhudi in the attack. However, we were unable to break through and the score remained 1-0 at half time.
In the second half we kept the pressure up and their goalie was barely able to control a header and follow up shot from Niamh. Shortly afterwards Zhhudi leveled the scores.
Despite several attacks from Howth, they were unable to break through the rock-solid defense of Frank and Andy. Our goalie Cathal was more than able for any ball that came through so the match ended level 1-1.
We started the extra-time strongly. The fact that all our players had a chance to rest while being subbed out, gave us an advantage because we had fresher legs. As we got near to the end of the first half of extra-time our man-of-the-match Dylan scored the winning goal with a brilliant shot from outside the penalty area.
Howth did everything they could to try and level the score, but our defence was too strong and we held out until the final whistle. We now are all looking forward to the semi-final.
Labels: match_report
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Hat-trick hero helps us to 5-2 victory in Ratoath
There was a strong gale blowing when we arrived for the game against Ratoath Harps. We were playing into the wind in the first half, so it was no surprise when we went a goal down. In fact if it was not for some great defending by Cathal, Frank, Andy and Dylan and a few great saves from Nado we probably would have gone a few more goals behind. In a rare attack into the wind, Zhudi managed to slip the ball into the net to level the score at 1-1 going into the break.
The second half was started before Omar arrived. He ran from the car park to the pitch and joined the match straight away. A few seconds later the ball came to him and he dribbled around the defender and coolly scored a goal to put us into a 2-1 lead about eight seconds after he came onto the pitch.
From that point onwards Castleknock used the advantage of the wind to dominate the game. Omar scored another goal and his brother Zhudi scored 2 more goals to complete his hat-trick and earn him the man-of-the-match award.
We were 5-1 up as the match neared an end and Nado decided to give cheek to the referee. This resulted in a Ratoath penalty which they scored with the last kick of the game to leave the score at 5-2.
Well done team !!!
Click here to see some pictures.
Labels: match_report
Sunday, February 25, 2007
3-0 defeat at Howth does not reflect the way the match went
This was a cracker of a match with both sides throwing everything into attack for the full 40 minutes. Omar and Nedim dominated mid-field and kept our forwards well supplied with possession. Castleknock seemed to have the edge overall with Zhudi having two shots go narrowly wide and Niamh forcing the Howth keeper to make a few dramatic saves.
Howth made many attempts at attacking but our defenders Cathal, Dylan, Robert and Andy made sure that very few shots got through to David who had a great game in goal as usual. However, man-of-the-match goes to Andy Merriman for the great way he cleared up any loose ball.
Despite numerous chances for both sides the score was still 0-0 with 5 minutes left on the clock. Howth had a free kick on the edge of the box. They hit a strong shot which rebounded off the crossbar and the Howth team were quick to pounce on the rebound to slip the ball past David's outstretched foot to open the scoring.
Castleknock threw everything into attack, but Howth managed to slip in for a great goal with a rocket of a shot into the corner of the net. Castleknock continued to push forward in the dying minutes of the game. Unfortunately this left us exposed at the back and allowed Howth to slip in another goal just as the final whistle was blowing.
The final score 3-0 was a little disappointing, but we can be very proud of our performance.
Labels: match_report
Monday, February 19, 2007
An dramatic match ends in a 3-3 draw
Castleknock were not scared by their opponents reputation and got off to a storming start. Captain Nado scored a great goal in the second minutes. A few minutes later Castleknock extended their lead when Nado slotted a free kick into the upper corner of the net.
Castleknock continued to dominate the match and Omar seemed to score another goal. However as the Rivervalley goalie retrieved the ball from the net we were all surprised to hear the referee say that the ball had not crossed the line and tell the goalie to kick out the ball.
Rivervalley then got a goal back before half time so that the score was 2-1 at the break.
As the second half got started Zhudi got a goal to stretch our lead to 3-1. Rivervalley put everything into their attempts to get back level, but Andy, Frank, Cathal and Colin played a rock solid game in defence and David O'Connor saved the few shots which managed to get through.
Rivervalley got two goals to pull back to level score. With only 10 minutes played in the second half, the referee surprisingly blew for full time. But after some consultations with the Rivervalley coach the match was restarted.
Castleknock continued to put pressure on to get a score back. Zhudi and Niamh took turns to head up the attack and were ably assisted by Nado, Omar and Robert who in midfield.
At one stage Dylan and Nado were clean through with the goalie beaten and a score seeming inevitable. However, the referee intervened again to call play back for an infringement which nobody could explain. The match then ended level at 3-3. All in all, we did great to break Rivervalley's 100% record.
Overall it was a team effort - for example Jean played a great game at mid-field and her little sister Ellen did her bit too by taking the pictures. After much discussion, the judges finally awarded the man-of-the-match title to Omar Emara.
Labels: match_report
Saturday, February 03, 2007
An early exit from the cup
Woodlawn started strong and we made a few errors in defence. As a result they were in the lead from early in the game. The game continued to go their way for the rest of the first half and we were 5 - nil down at half time.
Nado was forced to retire with a sore stomach and so were were forced to start the second half with only 6 players. It was looking bleak, but Andy went back into defence to help out Cathal and Frank. Colin was more than able to deal with any shots that got though. In fact Niamh and Zhudi made several strong attacks on the Woodlawn goal, so it looked like we might get back into the game. But the fact that they had an extra player meant that we could never get through and score.
Colin McGuinness our substitute goalie played a great match to keep a clean sheet in the second half. He was the clear choice for the man-of-the-match award.
Labels: match_report
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Unlucky to be held to a 2-2 draw by Clonee United
When we arrived it was a bitterly cold day and many of the team were delighted to be wearing their new woolly hats with the club logo. The team warmed up quickly and got off to a storming start. The Clonee keeper was forced to pull off a dramatic save in the first minute of the match. This was followed up by a series of attacks and in one move the goalie had to save three strong shots in a row from Zhudi, Niamh and Dylan. Eventually our pressure paid off when Nado opened the scoring with a rasper of a shot into the upper corner of the net.
We continued attacking and we spent the remainder of the first half camped in the Clonee half of the pitch. Whenever Clonee did attack they were very effectively kept out by Frank, Cathal and Andy at the back and Omar who kept a clean sheet in goals. However, the ball never seemed to bounce in our favour and the score remained 1-nil at half time.
We had the wind with us in the second half and as we continued our attacking it seemed like only a matter of time before we would stretch our lead. However, Clonee managed to score a goal against the run of play to level the scores.
The team were not disheartened and about mid way into the second half Nado scored a second goal to put us back into the lead. Much to our surprise Clonee managed to get yet another lucky goal in the final minute of the game to tie the game 2-2.
All the team played great today, but the coaches decided to declare Cathal Gaynor the man-of-the-match for his solid performance in defence.
Well done everyone, another point always comes in handy. Hopefully the O'Connor boys will be back in action again soon.
Labels: match_report
Saturday, December 02, 2006
A cliff hanger of a match ends in a scoreless draw.
Maynooth were very confident coming to Castleknock because they were at the top of the table. However, I was glad to see that the things we have been practising in training were really paying off. Maynooth got a surprise to see how much we had improved.
There was a strong wind helping Maynooth in the first half which meant we had a lot of defending to do. But Andy Merriman and Frank Collins cleared everything that came their way. Even our team mascot Lily wanted to help out before the referee intervened.
Nedim Frvrcic played a great game at midfield and passed plenty of good ball into our attackers where Niamh O'Donovan, Omar Emara and Zhudi Emara put very strong pressure on the Maynooth goal. Nedim hit a rasper of a shot and the Maynooth was unable to keep a hold of it and Zhudi pounced on the rebound and grazed the post with a shot. Zhudi had two more shots that nearly went in before half time, but the ball refused to go into the goal.
Although Castleknock continued to put pressure on to score a goal, Maynooth made a few counter attacks. In one of the counter attacks our star goalie David O'Connor pulled off such a dramatic save that the referee came to us afterwards to check that we had not listed Shay Given as our goalie.
Our teamwork was very strong today which made if very hard to pick the man-of-the-match but after much consideration the judges gave it to Niamh O'Donovan. Well done everyone, it was a display that you can all be proud of.
Labels: match_report
Saturday, November 11, 2006
A narrow defeat by Howth
It was not looking like a lucky day when Jean Bergin got injured before the game even started. However, Tony Jordan was there with his fancy camera to take our picture for the calendar and the match started slightly late.
This was a cracker of a match. Both sides were attacking all out from the start. Omar Emara hit the post with a scorcher of a shot. Shortly afterwards our man-of-the-match Nedim Frvrcic hit the crossbar with another fine shot.
However, this was not to be our lucky day. The ball simply refused to go into the Howth goal despite all of our attacking. At the other end of the pitch a Howth cross took a lucky deflection and went into the net over the head of our goalie. This left the score at 1-0 at half time.
As the second half got started Howth continued their pressure. They were kept out for a while by strong defending by Dylan Turner, but eventually they managed to slip in a goal to stretch their lead to 2-0.
Castleknock did not give up at this stage, and Niamh O'Donovan continued to put pressure on the Howth goal. This pressure eventually paid of when Nedim Frvrcic managed to score a goal in the dying minutes of the match.
At this stage the score was 2-1 and Castleknock threw everything into attack to try and draw level. Unfortunately this left them exposed at the back and Howth managed to slip in a goal in injury time to seal the victory at 3-1.
This was a disappointing result, but a great performance that we can be very proud of. Well done everyone and I hope Jean's knee is better soon.
Labels: match_report
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Castleknock put 6 past Malahide United
Castleknock in their new strip burst into action and supplied Zuhdi Emara with great passes which he put into the back of the net to earn his hat trick in the first half.
The pressure was on Malahide, who were lucky not to concede a 4th goal when Nedim Frvrcic's shot, which appeared to have crossed the line, was cleared and no goal given by the referee.
The 2nd half was just as eventful with Malahide resorting to fielding an extra player. This was quickly spotted by the sharp Castleknock supporters and the referee was quick to respond and stop the game.
Dylan Turner restarted the game, winning a drop ball in the Malahide half and passing the ball into Robert O'Connor who made it 4-0.
Malahide made a couple of breaks in the Castleknock half but got no further than man of the match Andy Merriman, who was quick to take the ball and clear it to safety.
Nedim Frvrcic made it 5-0 to Castleknock before Malahide got one back from a corner, making it 5-1. Omar Emara sealed the victory minutes before the final whistle. 6-1 was the final score, and Castleknock Celtic top the league after the week one. Well done to all the players and keep up the great work.
Labels: match_report
Saturday, October 21, 2006
A great victory
Our star striker Dylan Turner opened the scoring for Castleknock with a sorcher of a shot from the edge of the penalty box. Cloughertown came back strongly and tried to level the score before half time, but some great defending by man of the match Frank Collins and some brilliant saves by our star goalie David O'Connor kept the half time score at 1-0.
Cloughertown continued the pressure after half time and they even hit the post on a number of times, but Castleknock continued to defend strongly. Then Omar Emara scored to increase our lead to 2-0.
As the match neared the end, Nedin Hivacic scored another goal to stretch the lead even further to 3-0.
Well done everyone! I hope you can keep up the winning streak!.
Labels: match_report
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Our best performance so far
In the second half Dylan Turner joined the attack in an excellent display which earned him the title of man of the match. Castleknock were camped in the Ashbourne half of the pitch for most of the match, but the ball still refused to go into the net. In one of Ashbourne's rare counter attacks they scored a lucky goal which left the score at 2-0 which was not a fair reflection of how the match went.
Keep up the good work guys!! It was our best display yet and our luck is bound to turn soon.
Labels: match_report
