Gary is Player of the Week
The Castleisland AFC Player of the Week this week is club member, Gary O’Sullivan who has been selected to compete for Ireland in the Special Olympics which will be held in Abu Dhabi in March.
Congratulations Gary we’re all very proud of you.
By: Mike Brosnan and Neil O’Sullivan
The Senior B team will be hoping their good run continues as they welcome Classic FC to Castleisland on Sunday afternoon.
The B’s know that a win against a good Classic team will rocket them up the table and managers Mazza and Mark will be looking for a huge performance from the their men.
Denny Premier A: Fenit 2 – 1 Castleisland
The A team suffered their first league defeat of the season when they went down deservedly to a very good Fenit team.
Fenit dominated from the first whistle and their passing, ball retention and movement caused the Island all sorts of problems and they deservedly took the lead in the 25th minute after a mistake by the usually reliable O’Callaghan.
A Great Chance
Ten minutes later Castleisland had a great chance to equalise when the Fenit keeper dropped a cross but Lyons shot wide.
From the next attack Fenit took a two- goal lead when the left hand side of our defence was ripped wide open.
In between O’Callaghan clipped the crossbar with a header and Bartlett made a stunning save.
The second half saw Castleisland improve dramatically and they deservedly got a goal back when Hanifin finished to the net.
Post Saved the Island
They were now on top with O’Callaghan going close after a great move down the right. Fenit were unlucky not to add a third when they broke out of defence with great pace and precision passing but the post saved the island.
Castleisland had one last chance but with only the keeper to beat from a cross two island players got in each other’s way. Fenit deservedly took all 3pts and are back in the race for a final spot.
They remain in second spot in Premier A but they know they face a real battle to make the final as four clubs try and chase them down.
Denny Premier B AC Athletic 1 – 3 Castleisland B
The B team made it back to back 3-1 wins when they came out on top against a physically strong AC Athletic team in Tralee.
The B’s started the game well with Stephen McCarthy and Eamon Mcloughlin linking up well down the left but McCarthy’s shot was just wide of the AC post. AC were looking to go long at every opportunity to unleash their pacey striker but the back three of Mike Cahill, Daniel Downey and Shane O’Sullivan were dealing with the direct style of play comfortably.
Players Unmarked
On the 20th minute AC punished Castleisland’s inability to defend corners when after successfully defending the first ball in, the boys left a number of players unmarked for the second ball and the AC player tapped home from close range.
A goal against the run of play but one that the away side can only blame themselves for. Credit to Castleisland they responded well to going behind and once again McCarthy beat his man and crossed for Ethan O’Connor who was inches away from applying a touch at the back post. Half time 1-0.
Fitted into Midfield
Barry Lynch was introduced to the game late in the first half and he fitted into midfield alongside Shane O’Loughlin and Neil O’Sullivan.
The second half continued in the same pattern with AC holding out well to some Castleisland pressure and looking to launch counter attacks on every occasion.
On the hour mark the management team of Mazza and Mark made a double change introducing Ben Cooney and Cian O’Connor to the game with both men going up front with Stephen McCarthy moving to the wing. The fresh legs made an immediate impact and Castleisland were looking very dangerous going forward.
On the 65th minute Eamon McLoughlin played a beautiful ball from the wing to the feet of McCarthy who was arriving at the back post but his shot was saved by the AC keeper.
Daniel Downey Goal
Two minutes later Castleisland were rewarded for their domination of possession. Daniel Downey found himself forward on the wing and swung a great ball into the AC box, the cross evaded all players and found its way into the bottom corner of the AC net.
Smelling blood Mazza introduced another attacking player to the field with Josh Horan replacing McLoughlin and Dylan Browne coming in at the back in the place of Shane O’Sullivan.
An Immediate Impact
Horan made an immediate impact when he took on his man down the left wing before swinging a low cross into the box for Dylan Browne who tapped home after going forward for an earlier free kick.
Castleisland tails were up now and they were looking a much fitter side than the side that was taking to the field a few weeks back.
Ben Cooney and Cian O’Connor were linking up well together and eventually got their reward for some good play when Ben Cooney won the ball back and took on the AC defence before laying it into the path of his strike partner O’Connor who finished well past the keeper.
Built-Up Anger
Castleisland saw out the rest of the game comfortably and almost made it 4-1 when Daniel Downey left out all the anger that he has built up from looking at Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table and unleashed a rocket of a shot from 40 yards that went inches wide of the top right hand corner.
That’s back to back wins now for the B’s who have really put the head down at training over the last few weeks and are returning to the form that you would expect from this strong squad. If they continue with this hardworking attitude on the field in the coming weeks they will be a hard team to beat.
Denny Youth League: Listowel Celtic 4 v 1 Castleisland AFC
The Youths finished their league campaign with defeat away to Listowel Celtic on Saturday, Lee O’Connor grabbing the goal for the Islanders.
Castleisland finished their campaign in forth position and will now be looking forward to the cup competitions.
Gary is Player of the Week
Gary O’Sullivan who has been selected to compete for Ireland in the Special Olympics which will be held in Abu Dhabi in March, congratulations Gary we’re all very proud of you.
Fixture for Sunday 27th January
Denny Premier B. 3:30pm Castleisland AFC v Classic FC.
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