Castleknock 3-9
St. Vincent’s 0-14
It doesn’t make up for the 2016 County Final defeat but this historic first championship victory over St. Vincent’s, born out of sheer persistence and a never-say-die team spirit, certainly goes some little way to healing the hurt of three years ago.
Like the double-decker buses of old we waited and hoped for the goal that might give us the edge, only for two to come along one after the other in a two-minute spell between the 28th and 30th minutes of the second-half.
Both resulted from long, high balls into the Vincent’s full-back line and in the wet, slippy conditions Gerard McDermottroe was on hand to punch the first and sub Kevin Stephenson provided the magic for the second to give Castleknock a four point lead into time-added-on, of which there was some seven nail-biting minutes.
The first-half had been a very even affair until a burst of three St. Vincent’s points, including a much disputed sixth point in the final two minutes of the half, left Vincent’s a somewhat flattering three points to the good, 0-7 0-4, at the break.
Tomás Quinn landed three of those seven while for Castleknock Seamus O’Carroll hit two points, the second a searing effort just over, with Tommy McDaniel and Gerard McDermottroe adding the other two to leave Castleknock still well in the game.
The first 10 minutes of the second-half made uncomfortable viewing for Castleknock supporters as St. Vincent’s hit three more points, the third coming after James Sherry had miraculously cleared off his own crossbar.
With Diarmuid Connolly spraying the passes around from centre-back, for a brief moment it looked 10-4 - over and out – for Castleknock but when a move begun by a strong Darragh Warnock run was finished low to the Vincent’s net by the ever hard-running Shane Boland Castleknock were dramatically back in the game at 1-4 0-10. One score between the sides.
In the last 20 minutes Castleknock outscored Vincent’s by 3-4 to 0-4 even if it was nip and tuck until the second and third goals. Four different point scorers – Tommy McDaniel, Ciarán Kilkenny and subs Kevin Kindlon and Kevin Stephenson made it 1-8 to 0-13 going into the final few minutes when amid intense excitement Gerard McDermottroe and Kevin Stephenson grabbed those late, late goals.
St. Vincent’s could only manage a point in reply as the Castleknock defence, as it had done all evening, performed heroically to manage out this famous victory.
While the forwards quite rightly receive the scoring accolades this was a towering Castleknock defensive display in difficult conditions. Morven Connolly was assured behind Tommy Corcoran, Eoin O’Brien and Ciaran Murphy while centre-back Tom Quinn flanked by Graham Hannigan and Darragh Warnock and always helped out by midfielders Rob Shaw and James Sherry was as solid as always.
In the end fortune favoured the brave to keep Castleknock’s unbeaten 2019 League and Championship record intact.
Castleknock: Morven Connolly, Tommy Corcoran, Eoin O’Brien, Ciaran murphy, Graham Hannigan, Tom Quinn, Darragh Warnock, Rob Shaw, James Sherry, Shane Boland (1-0), Seamus O’Carroll (0-2), Ben Galvin, Gerard McDermottroe (1-1), Ciarán Kilkenny (0-1); Tommy McDaniel(0-2). Subs Used: Kevin Kindlon (0-1); Kevin Stephenson (1-1); Paul Bourke. Rest of panel: Liam Grant; Niall Millmore; Rory Corcoran; Sean Gibbons; James Tolan; Colm Neville; Fintan Sweeney; John Kindlon; Brendan Kearney.
Manager: Lar Norton.
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