CASTLEKNOCK STUNNED BY BALLINTEER
Last-minute Davitt goal caps off Junior ‘C’ final comeback
DUBLIN JFC ‘C’ FINAL
BALLINTEER ST JOHN’S………………………………. 1-7
CASTLEKNOCK………………………………………….. 0-9
Daire Walsh
THERE was late drama at O’Toole Park on Sunday morning, as Ballinteer St John’s defeated Castleknock by the slenderest of margins in the Dublin Junior ‘C’ Football Championship decider.
Castleknock had developed a five-point advantage (0-8 to 0-3) by the 35th minute of the contest, but even though Ballinteer stormed into contention with a series of unanswered scores, their northside counterparts looked set to secure the silverware on offer when John Kindlon majestically split the posts on the hour mark.
However, Ballinteer displayed remarkable resilience in the second period, and after centre-forward John Hickey dropped the ball into the Castleknock square in second-half stoppage-time, substitute Joe Davitt supplied the finishing touches for the only goal of the game.
Playing in sunny conditions, Ballinteer, who are a division below their rivals, broke the deadlock inside the opening 60 seconds of the action. The influential Hickey raised a white flag from a 35-metre free, but Castleknock responded with a similar effort of their own from Mikey Galvin just four minutes later.
Grogan produced a fine save from Ballinteer half-forward Brian Monaghan after full-forward Sean Dunne has flicked the ball down into his path, and following this significant let-off, an excellent score on the run by speedy attacker Brian Hughes edged the well-organised Castleknock into the ascendancy for the very first time.
As the half progressed, Ballinteer found themselves on the back-foot on a more consistent basis, and although they fell short from their own three-point opportunity, Ger Keogh was also on hand to deny Castleknock corner-forward Ben Galvin from a one-on-one situation ten minutes in. John’s can thank Keogh for keeping them in the game with a string of saves.
The Somerton Park outfit continued to play with a greater level of cohesion, though, and thanks to scores from Mikey Galvin (free) and Cian Spillane, they increased their lead to three points (0-4 to 0-1) just beyond the first-quarter mark.
The Castleknock defence were making life difficult for Ballinteer’s forwards, and the Marley Park side were somewhat fortunate that Mikey Galvin couldn’t find the back of their net via a gilt-edged goal-chance from close-range.
Because Castleknock’s shooting was somewhat erratic, Ballinteer were always within touching distance, and they finally brought their barren scoring spell to an end with a much-needed Hickey point on 23 minutes.
The Ballinteer management introduced Daniel Fitzgerald, Kevin Power and Ciaran Judge into the play before the half’s end, and despite conceding further scores to the Castleknock inside duo of Mikey Galvin and Stephen Byrne, a late fisted effort by Sean Dunne meant that they only trailed by three points (0-6 to 0-3) at the mid-way stage in this compelling showpiece encounter.
Indeed, with the addition of fresh legs to their side, Jim McCormack’s charges were hoping to build momentum upon the resumption. Yet, it was Castleknock who remained on top after the restart, and thanks to quick-fire scores by Ben Galvin and Byrne, they had created even further daylight between the teams.
At this point, a Castleknock success appeared to be the most likely outcome, and as they aimed to swing the pendulum in their favour, Monaghan’s attempt at a point rebounded off the woodwork.
Fine approach work by industrious midfielder Mark Kavanagh enabled Cian Duffy to register his first point of the game 44 minutes in, and moving into the closing stages of the tie, Ballinteer were beginning to exert their influence around the crucial middle-third of the pitch.
Their confidence was boosted by points from the aforementioned Hickey and Mitchell Moody (who was set-up by fellow replacement Fitzgerald), and with just eight minutes remaining on the clock, Judge reduced the deficit to the bare minimum.
Judge lashed over after gathering the ball close to the posts, and with pressure mounting on the Castleknock rearguard, the prospect of a remarkable Ballinteer turnaround was suddenly on the cards.
The bench was certainly making a major impact for Ballinteer (1-2 of their final total came from substitutes), who failed to register a single wide throughout the course of the proceedings.
Castleknock had created some fine openings during this juncture, but with superb Ballinteer full-back Tony Gillick – eldest brother of former athlete, and current senior star, David – leading by example, they were struggling to add to their overall tally.
Donal Cunningham’s side were let off the hook by Judge’s wayward close-range strike, however, and when Kindlon finished off an incisive move at the end of normal time, Castleknock had a slender hold over their southside opponents.
Davitt’s decisive flick to a Hickey delivery moved Ballinteer St John’s into the lead for just the second time, though, and after Grogan’s free-kick from distance dropped well short of the mark, they emerged victorious.
Scorers – Ballinteer St John’s: J Hickey 0-3 (1f), J Davitt 1-0, C Duffy, S Dunne, C Judge, M Moody 0-1 each. Castleknock: M Galvin 0-3 (2f), S Byrne 0-2 (1f), B Hughes, C Spillane, B Galvin, J Kindlon 0-1 each.
BALLINTEER ST JOHN’S: G Keogh; S Duffy, T Gillick, G Dent; S Sheridan, G Quirke, J O’Broin; M Kavanagh, DJ Corbett; B Monaghan, J Hickey, C McGarrigle; C Duffy, S Dunne, C Lawlor.
SUBS: D Morrissey for Corbett (14-16, blood sub), D Fitzgerald for Sheridan (23), K Power for S Duffy (30), C Judge for Dunne (30+2), M Moody for Lawlor (39), J Davitt for McGarrigle (57).
CASTLEKNOCK: M Grogan; C Neville, D Kinneavy, P Balfe; P Mulcrone, E O’Connor, D Sweeney; S Lynch, A Rushe; B Hughes, P Burke, C Spillane; S Byrne, M Galvin, B Galvin.
SUBS: C Millmore for Spillane (36), J Kindlon for Byrne (48), F Murray for Burke (57).
MENTORS – BALLINTEER ST JOHN’S: J McCormack, JJ Duffy, PJ Dolan, C Ellis, S Farrelly. CASTLEKNOCK: D Cunningham, P McGinnell, M Byrne, J Corkery.
REFEREE: Luke Lacey (Na Fianna).
WIDES – Ballinteer St John’s: 0 (0+0). Castleknock: 9 (5+4).
CONDITIONS: Warm and sunny conditions, with a light breeze.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: John Hickey (Ballinteer St John’s).