7th game 2013/14 Lenamore 1 - 6 Castlegregory Celtic FC (Jan 19th 2014)
Result: Lenamore Rovers 1 - 6 Castlegregory Celtic FC. A great away win today made the long journey to Lenamore a worth while one as we came away with maximum points after putting in a great performance. Ian Flynn opened the scoring after a superb Colm Connor cross and went on to score 4 in total and could have had a few more but for great goalkeeping from the Lenamore keeper. Castle dominated throughout with Michael John Flynn and David Fox Connor running the show from midfield. The back 4 of Damien McMahon, Shane Kenny, Sean O Connor and Gearóid Fitz really handled everything thrown at them and overall Castle could have scored at least 4 more with both posts being hit and a number of good saves keeping the goal tally at 6 after Michael John Flynn and Maurice Slattery (who played all the U17s game yesterday) also scored. Overall, after approx 7 weeks without a game to score 6 away at a tough ground like Lenamore was a testament to the hard work being put in at training and the commitment of the players which showed in the strong squad we had today. Hopefully this marks a turning point in our season. Team: Adam O Donnell; Damien McMahon; Sean O Connor; Shane Kenny; Gearoid Fitzgerald; Colm O Connor; David O Connor; Michael John Flynn; Damien Finn; Kealan Dowling; Ian Flynn. Subs: Enda Whelan; Brandon Hoare; Maurice Slattery & Gene Murphy.
6th game of 2013/14 Season Castlegregory Celtic Fc 1 - 4 Tralee Dynamos (Dec 1st 2013)
Result: Castlegregory Celtic FC 1 - 4 Tralee Dynamos F.C. Castle went down 4-1 today at home to Tralee Dynamos in a game that until the last 5 mins was a very level contest. In fact had Castle taken some of the gilt edged chances they had this result could easily have been the other way around. After going 1 behind in the 1st half Castle equalised through an Ian Flynn goal and created several really good scoring chances which went a-begging during the match. After Dynamos missed a pen deep in the 2nd half it looked like Castle would push on and take a share of the spoils. However, Dynamos took the lead 2 - 1 with a great chip with about 10 left and as Castle pushed to equalise Dynamos struck again twice in injury time. In a game where the home side created lots of really clear chances but missed them, a young Dynamos side were clinical with their opportunities and stole the points at the death. However, the performance of the home side today was hugely improved and gives great hope for the rest of the season.Team: Shane Kenny; Damien McMahon; Sean O Connor; Alan Fitz; Shane Hennessy; Maurice Slattery; Damien Finn; David O Connor; Kealan Dowling; Ian Flynn; Colm Connor. Subs: Enda Whelan; Dillon Daniels.
5th game of 2013/14 season Castlegregory Celtic FC 3 - 5 Fenit Samphires.
Result: Castlegregory Celtic FC 3 - 5 Fenit Samphires. The tough start to this seasons campaign continued today with a home loss against Fenit. However, had Castle taken their chances the scoreline could have been very different. Fenit were clinical with their chances and led 4 - 0 at half time despite Castle having several clear openings. In the second half Castle battled back to 4-3 but Fenit killed the game off with a break away towards the end. Still plenty positives to take from today especially with several regular players missing. Good to see younger players coming up from U17s getting their chance too with Conor Shannon making a substitute appearance as well as Maurice Slattery who started along with Brandon Hoare. Goals today came from Ian Flynn, Patrick 'Saco' O Donnell and Colm Connor. A long season to go yet so plenty time to turn things around.Team: Shane Kenny; Maurice Slattery; Michael John Flynn; Shane Hennessy; Damien McMahon; Colm Sills; Sean O Connor; Ian Flynn; Brandon Hoare; Gene Murphy; Patrick O Donnell. Subs: David O Connor; Colm O Connor; Conor Shannon.
4th Game of 2013 / 14 Season Mastergeeha 3 - 0 Castlegregory Celtic FC
Went down 3 - 0 away to Mastergeeha FC today, created chances but just didn't get the rub of the green.
3rd game of 2013/14 season: Fenit 7 - 1 Castlegregory Celtic FC
Result: Fenit Samphires 7 - 1 Castlegregory Celtic FC. A very tough day at the office today away to Fenit. The game was very even up until the 60th minute or so when at 1-1 the ref gave the most unbelievable penalty decision ever seen against Castle and from then on Fenit ran away with the game as Castle left gaps at the back as they chased the game. Having come from behind to level the game early in the second half, to have a good close game turned on such a decision ruined the contest and Castle never got back into it. Fenit scored some very good goals and played better on the day but theres a long way to go this season so we will bounce back.Team: Adam O Donnell; Damien McMahon; Ger O Callaghan; Shane Kenny; Enda Whelan; Maurice Slattery; Gene Murphy; Conor Boden; Kealan Dowling (scorer); Pádraig Quirke; Joe Scully. Subs: Gearóid Fitz; Ian Flynn; Brandon Hoare; PJ Griffin; Jason Griffin.
2nd game of 2013/14 season: Tralee Dynamos 3 - 1 Castlegregory Celtic F.C.
Castle went down away to Tralee Dynamos earlier but the final scoreline flatters the home side a little. Dynamos bossed possession but for large parts that possession was deep and with Castle working hard defensively the sides were level at half time, with neither side managing to convert the few chances that were created. Dynamos opened the scoring after the break but Castle were level shortly after with a super goal from Kealan Dowling. Castle held on at 1 all and seemed to be heading for a super away point when the home side took advantage of some defensive lapses to seal the 3 points. Overall, on a day where the numbers missing for Castlegregory were in double figures, to go to one of the strongest sides in the league and push them all the way was definitely a huge positive. A long way to go yet and a lot of soccer to be played in this league so we'll take the positives and look forward to the next game.
Team: Adam O Donnell; Maurice Slattery; Michael John Flynn(capt); Shane Kenny; Enda Whelan; Brandon Hoare; David Fox O Connor; Kealan Dowling; Conor Boden; Pádraig Quirke; Damien Finn. Subs: Joe Scully; PJ Griffin & Jason Griffin.
Castle went down away to Tralee Dynamos earlier but the final scoreline flatters the home side a little. Dynamos bossed possession but for large parts that possession was deep and with Castle working hard defensively the sides were level at half time, with neither side managing to convert the few chances that were created. Dynamos opened the scoring after the break but Castle were level shortly after with a super goal from Kealan Dowling. Castle held on at 1 all and seemed to be heading for a super away point when the home side took advantage of some defensive lapses to seal the 3 points. Overall, on a day where the numbers missing for Castlegregory were in double figures, to go to one of the strongest sides in the league and push them all the way was definitely a huge positive. A long way to go yet and a lot of soccer to be played in this league so we'll take the positives and look forward to the next game.
Team: Adam O Donnell; Maurice Slattery; Michael John Flynn(capt); Shane Kenny; Enda Whelan; Brandon Hoare; David Fox O Connor; Kealan Dowling; Conor Boden; Pádraig Quirke; Damien Finn. Subs: Joe Scully; PJ Griffin & Jason Griffin.
1st game of 2013/14 season: Castlegregory Celtic F.C. 2 - 0 Killarney Celtic B
Result: Castlegregory Celtic F.C. 2 - 0 Killarney Celtic B.
Castle got their league campaign off to a great start today with a great 2-0 win at home to a strong and well organised Killarney Celtic team. This game was won by 2 superb goals, one in each half. The first was an absolutely unstoppable pile driver of a free kick from Alan Fitz after some neat work by Kealan Dowling earned the free at the edge of the Killarney area. The second came later in the 2nd half when Enda Whelan collected the ball deep in the left back position and with the field open ahead of him he drove up the wing and attacked the Killarney right back and beat him and then beat their centre back before planting a superb finish high to the net to seal the win. Castle had several other really good chances throughout the game to really kill the game but as well as playing well as an attacking unit, the defending was also top class, with Michael John Flynn (capt) and Alan Fitz bossing the centre back positions, with Enda and Damien MacMahon providing great cover in the full back positions. Overall it was a good display both attacking and defensively, and with several players in new positions or coming into the side it was great to hit the ground running and get 3pts on the board in a league campaign that is going to be really competitive. The only downside to the day was the injuries picked up by Maurice Slattery, David O Connor and Maurice James Fitzgerald, plus Damien Mac & Kealan Dowling were walking wounded by the end. Hopefully they will all be right for the next game to carry on from this great start....castle abú.
Team: Shane Kenny; Damien McMahon; Alan Fitz; Micheal John Flynn; Enda Whelan; Gene Murphy; David O Connor; Kealan Dowling; Maurice Slattery; Pádraig Quirke; Damien Finn. Subs: Conor Boden; Brandon Hoare; Seán Walsh; Maurice James Fitzgerald; PJ Griffin; Brian Ciepierski.
Castle got their league campaign off to a great start today with a great 2-0 win at home to a strong and well organised Killarney Celtic team. This game was won by 2 superb goals, one in each half. The first was an absolutely unstoppable pile driver of a free kick from Alan Fitz after some neat work by Kealan Dowling earned the free at the edge of the Killarney area. The second came later in the 2nd half when Enda Whelan collected the ball deep in the left back position and with the field open ahead of him he drove up the wing and attacked the Killarney right back and beat him and then beat their centre back before planting a superb finish high to the net to seal the win. Castle had several other really good chances throughout the game to really kill the game but as well as playing well as an attacking unit, the defending was also top class, with Michael John Flynn (capt) and Alan Fitz bossing the centre back positions, with Enda and Damien MacMahon providing great cover in the full back positions. Overall it was a good display both attacking and defensively, and with several players in new positions or coming into the side it was great to hit the ground running and get 3pts on the board in a league campaign that is going to be really competitive. The only downside to the day was the injuries picked up by Maurice Slattery, David O Connor and Maurice James Fitzgerald, plus Damien Mac & Kealan Dowling were walking wounded by the end. Hopefully they will all be right for the next game to carry on from this great start....castle abú.
Team: Shane Kenny; Damien McMahon; Alan Fitz; Micheal John Flynn; Enda Whelan; Gene Murphy; David O Connor; Kealan Dowling; Maurice Slattery; Pádraig Quirke; Damien Finn. Subs: Conor Boden; Brandon Hoare; Seán Walsh; Maurice James Fitzgerald; PJ Griffin; Brian Ciepierski.
Castlegregory Celtic F.C. 0 - 1 Killorglin F.C.
Result: Castlegregory Celtic FC 0- 1 Killorglin FC. Castle's league campaign came to an end this morning with a home defeat against Killorglin. In a game where the home side dominated possession throughout it was Killorglin who took their opportunity and left with all 3 pts. The game was tight all through with Killorglin packing the mid field and forcing Castle to often play long balls, which saw only one shot on target for the home team in the opening half, despite dominating the play. The key moment came in the second half when Castle failed to clear and the ball broke to a free Killorglin player who calmly stroked the ball home to leave Castle chasing the game. From here the home side owned the ball but despite several clear chances and a nailed on penalty claim which was waved away, the ball just would not go in the net, leaving the full time score 1-0 to Killorglin and so ending our chances of promotion for this season. Overall though it was a hugely successful season in the league seeing as this time last season we barely stayed up and to have 20 players togged out for this game is a sign of how far we have come this season under the stewardship of Ger O Callaghan, Kevin Maunsell and Brian Goggin. So, while today's result is a disappointing one, overall it has been a positive season. Also a massive thank you to all those that came to support, it was great to see such a crowd and it was really appreciated.
Team: Shane Kenny; Damien McMahon; Alan Fitz, Michael John Flynn; Shane Hennessy; Brandon Hoare; Conor Boden (Capt), Enda Whelan; Joe Scully; Damien Finn; Jordan Quirke. Subs: Alan McNamara; Brian Ciepierski; Patrick Saco O Donnell; Maurice Slattery; Colm Sills; Pádraig Quirke; Greg Dowling; Ger Callaghan.
Team: Shane Kenny; Damien McMahon; Alan Fitz, Michael John Flynn; Shane Hennessy; Brandon Hoare; Conor Boden (Capt), Enda Whelan; Joe Scully; Damien Finn; Jordan Quirke. Subs: Alan McNamara; Brian Ciepierski; Patrick Saco O Donnell; Maurice Slattery; Colm Sills; Pádraig Quirke; Greg Dowling; Ger Callaghan.
Mainebank FC 0 - 6 Castlegregory Celtic F.C. 12/05/13
Result: Mainebank FC 0 - 6 Castlegregory Celtic FC. A great away win this morning saw Castle turn in a super performance to put Mainebank to the sword and take a vital 3 pts in the league. Castle dominated the game throughout but in the 1st half Mainebank defended stoutly as Castle kept possession well and tried to break the deadlock. The breakthrough finally came when Enda Whelan was fouled right on the 18 yard line and Alan Fitz stepped up to cooly bend the free kick around the wall into the bottom right hand corner. Castle pressed again from the tip off and the pressure told when Brandon Hoare played a through ball to Jordan Quirke which seemed to be an easy take for the keeper but pressure from Quirke forced a mistake and Jordan cooly rounded the keeper and slotted home to leave the half time score at 2 nil. In the second half Castle, knowing that 2nd place in the league was up for grabs really drove on and played some super flowing soccer, a different team from last Mondays lackluster performance in the Cup. The 3rd goal came when a lovely through ball found Jordan Quirke who had beaten the offside trap and he calmly squared the ball for Brandon Hoare at the back post who tapped home his 3rd goal of the season. Then Damien Finn got on the goal sheet with a long range strike, but the best move of the match was definitely for Joe Scullys goal. Castle pressure won the ball back in the right back position where Saco O Donnell laid off a simple pass to Brandon Hoare. Brandon played a pass to the centre of the park which was stepped over by Alan McNamara who continued his run and received the ball back from Damien Finn. Mac then picked out the run of Saco O Donnell who held up the ball and rolled it back into Alan McNamara's path and Alan cooly checked his run, beat his defender and played an inch perfect cross to the onrushing Joe Scully who rose and volleyed home from 8 yards for an absolutely super goal. Alan Mac finished off his cameo substitutes role with a fine long range goal to leave the final score at 6 nil. Overall a really good team performance with a special mention to the back 4 who were hell bent on keeping a clean sheet, and also to Brandon Hoare who on starting only his 3rd or 4th game of the season created one and scored one. On a day when we were missing 5 regulars in Colm Sills, Kealan Dowling, Ger O Callaghan, Ian Flynn, Maurice Slattery and Paul McCannon as well as losing Brian Ciepierski to injury the warm up to have such a strong squad and to turn in such a dominant performance shows the strength in depth of the squad.
Scorers: Alan Fitz; Jordan Quirke; Brandon Hoare; Damien Finn; Joe Scully & Alan McNamara....Castle abú.
Team: Shane Kenny; Damien McMahon; Alan Fitz; Michael John Flynn; Enda Whelan; Brandon Hoare; Damien Finn; Conor Boden; Joe Scully; Padraig Quirke and Jordan Quirke. Subs: Alan McNamara; Patrick Saco o Donnell; Brian Ciepierski.
Scorers: Alan Fitz; Jordan Quirke; Brandon Hoare; Damien Finn; Joe Scully & Alan McNamara....Castle abú.
Team: Shane Kenny; Damien McMahon; Alan Fitz; Michael John Flynn; Enda Whelan; Brandon Hoare; Damien Finn; Conor Boden; Joe Scully; Padraig Quirke and Jordan Quirke. Subs: Alan McNamara; Patrick Saco o Donnell; Brian Ciepierski.
Castlegregory Celtic F.C. 1 - 1 Castlemaine Utd (Reserve Cup). 6/05/13
Result: Castlegregory Celtic FC 1 - 1 Castlemaine Utd. Castle had to battle from a goal down to force a replay in the Reserve Cup today in a game where the home side showed all the signs of not having a game for 3 weeks as well as having some regular starters missing. Castlemaine were brighter in the first half and took the game to Castle who were slow to start and found themselves behind through a nice move up the left which was played into the box and flicked home to leave Castle trailing. This forced the home side to step up a gear and towards the end of the half Castle had several corners but despite great deliveries from Damien McMahon, one of Castles best players, Castlemaine held firm. After the break Castle were far more dominant and kept posession better, but were still far from their best as the effects of the long weekend took hold in the strong sun. However, Castles perseverance paid off with 6 mins remaining when a superb free kick from Shane Kenny was only half cleared and Alan Fitz slotted home a great strike from the edge of the box to the bottom corner to tie the game and despite late pressure from the home side it finished at 1-1. A special mention for the referee who had a great game, we are quick to criticise them on off days, it was a nice change to have a young ref who played good advantages & understood the rules!!. This was certainly a wake up call for Castle ahead of a massive game next Sunday in the league at home against Killlorglin. Also a big thanks to those that came to watch, support is always appreciated. :-)
Ballymac Galaxy 1 - 2 Castlegregory Celtic FC 18/04/13
Result: Ballymac Galaxy 1 - 2 Castlegregory Celtic Fc. A massive away win for Castle tonight saw them make full advantage of their 1st half dominance to secure all three points away to a tough Ballymac side, in really heavy & windy conditions. Castle started brightly and could have taken the lead in the opening minute when Kealan Dowling found himself in space at the edge of the box but his shot narrowly fizzed wide of the post. The early dominance paid off soon after in a neat move started with Conor Boden breaking up a Ballymac attack in the left back position, playing to Colm Sills in the middle of the park who knocked the ball to his right back Damien McMahon, who having laid off the ball to Damien Finn on the wing, continued his run and burst into the Ballymac box to run onto a neat pass from Ian Flynn and dispatched a neat finish to the Ballymac net for the lead - a great team goal. Castle then soaked up the Ballymac pressure and having broken up another attack Colm Sills released Maurice Slattery down the right who rounded the defender and clipped an inch perfect cross right onto the forehead of Damien Finn who headed home from 6 yards to double Castles advantage, leaving the score at 2 nil at halftime. However, the half was marred with a bad injury to Ian Flynn who dislocated a shoulder and had to leave the field. In the second half Castle were against the breeze and set out with a game plan to soak up the Ballymac pressure and except for one corner from which Ballymac scored, Castle held them at bay, with great defensive performances from Shane Kenny and Alan Fitz plus some great saves by Brian Ciepierski in goals. Overall, a real battling performance against a tough side which now sees the league thrown right open again in the race for promotion. It must be said the officiating left a little to be desired with players on both sides getting no protection, but thats an issue for another day. A great win tonight and with 2 home games still to play its all to play for...get well soon Ian Flynn from everyone at the club. Castle abú.
Mastergeeha FC 2 - 2 Castlegregory Celtic FC. 31/03/13
Result: Mastergeeha Fc 2 - 2 Castlegregory Celtic Fc. This was a proverbial 'game of two halves' today with a huge gale blowing from one goals to the other, leading to each half being dominated by the team aided by the breeze. Castle dominated the 1st half and lead at half time by 2 goals to nil and were unfortunate not to be further ahead having created several good scoring chances. Castle opened the scoring with Damien Finn tapping in a superbly flighted Ian Flynn cross and Colm Sills doubled the scoring neatly slotting home from close range after neat build up down the left by Ian Flynn and Damo Finn. The second half as expected was played in the Castle half and having conceded early in the second half it looked as tough Castle would hold out for the win until a softly conceded free kick ended up being turned into the net by a Castle player to leave the game tied at 2-2. In difficult conditions Castle played some great soccer and with 18 togged off it was a great turn out. With 4 games left (2 at home) and 12 pts to play for this draw still keeps promotion hopes kindled, but we will need to win all 4 games, but its still in our own hands as we have games in hand over the teams ahead of us. Never say never....
Shanakill Ath 7 - 1 Castlegregory Celtic F.C. 'B' 23/03/13
Result: A tough away outing tonight saw Castlegregory Celtic Fc's B team lose out to a well organised Shanakill Ath side on a score of 7-1. However, despite the one sided scoreline, the main difference between the sides was the Shanakill goal keeper who was in superb form and on several occasions stopped certain goals to keep Castle out. Overall, several positives for us to take, with several players playing their 1st competitive game for the club and several lads returning from injury coming through unscathed, exactly why we entered this cup. To have 14 lads togged out for a B game shows we are moving in the right direction as a club...Scorer for Castle Ian Flynn
Castlegregory Celtic F.C. 0-3 Ballymac Galaxy 17/03/13.
Result: Castlegregory Celtic Fc 0- 3 Ballymac Galaxy. A bad day at the office saw Castle go down to their 1st defeat in ages today against Ballymac. Castle dominated much of the game but were left to rue missed opportunities in the second half when Ballymac took advantage of confusion over a throw in and found space and punished us to score the first goal Castle conceded in over 2 games. As Castle threw everything forward Ballymac twice struck on the break to finish the contest. However, despite this loss, with 5 games left and 15pts to play for, this defeat doesn't set Castle back too much in the search for a play off spot and promotion. Castle abú...
Castlegregory Celtic F.C. 2-0 Mastergeeha F.C.
Result: Castlegregory Celtic Fc 2 - 0 Mastergeeha FC. A second clean sheet on the bounce helped Castle on their way to a comfortable home win today against Mastergeeha in the league. The 1st half was a tight encounter with Castle playing a 4-5-1 to begin, and creating several chances through Ian Flynn who operated as the lone forward, supported mainly by Joe Scully who was unlucky on a few occasions not to break the deadlock early on. Shane Kenny in the Castle goals had relatively little to do in the first half and just on half time a clinical through ball from Colm Sills found Damien Finn in space at the edge of the box and he controlled and lobbed the ball past the out-rushing keeper to give the home side a deserved lead and giving Castle a 1-0 advantage at the break. After the break Castle started brightly with both wingers, Joe Scully and the impressive Maurice Slattery raiding in support of Ian Flynn creating several chances. Having forced a corner mid way through the half Ian Flynn flicked home a Colm Sills corner for a well deserved goal to double Castles advantage. Mastergeeha were then forced to throw everything forward began to leave massive gaps at the back and on another day this could have been a complete rout, but on the whole Castle were comfortable all over the pitch with the back four of Enda Whelan, Alan Fitz, Ger O Callaghan & Shane Hennessy (plus Damien MacMachon on replacing Ger) handling everything thrown at them for a second clean sheet in a row. Overall, a fantastic team performance. A mention must go to lads that travelled long distances to make the game, trips from Galway and Cork were made, that kind of commitment will hopefully lead us to promotion and silverware this season. Castle abú!
Result: Castlegregory Celtic F.C. 3 - 0 Asdee Rovers. 10/02/13.
Result: Castlegregory Celtic Fc 3 - Asdee Rovers 0. A superb victory over league leaders Asdee this morning sees Castle move to 19pts in the league table and into a really strong position moving into the final stages of the league. In a really tightly contested game Castle once again dominated possession throughout but lacked the finishing touch in the first half as Asdee sat deep and soaked up the pressure well, choosing to hit Caste on the counter. Joe Scully was really unlucky not to give Castle the lead before the break after some great work down the right by Maurice Slattery who played a low cross to Enda Whelan who cleverly stepped over it for the onrushing Joe Scully whose low shot struck the butt of the post and was cleared to safety, leaving it 0-0 at half time. After the break Castle soaked up some early pressure with the back four dealing with everything Asdee threw at them and Castle were unlucky not to make the break through when Joe Scully released Damien Finn but his scuffed shot went wide. The breakthrough finally came from a set piece after a deliberate handball near the half way line which Alan Fitz whipped in and Colm Sills broke the Asdee back line to clip a deft header past the keeper for a deserved lead. Brian Goggin and Kevin Maunsell immediately shifted the shape of the team to 4-5-1 and this paid off as Jordan Quirke, on for Enda Whelan, smashed home a second to double Castles lead - a lead Castle had Shane Kenny to thank for as at 1-0 he made some great stops. With Asdee throwing everyone forward in search of a goal, Castle put the game to bed as Padraig Quirke tapped in a low Shane Hennessy effort that had beaten the keeper but rebounded from the post. Overall this was a fantastic team performance that saw Castle work really hard for each other and 2 subs coming on to score. This result continues our push for promotion and once again the great support was really appreciated...