“Football the Winner as Celtic and Ballyfermot serve up thriller”

A late kick off it may have been but it was worth the wait as Ballyfermot Utd and Castleknock Celtic 

put on a spectacle that had all those attending on their feet and applauding from start to finish.

Ballyfermot set the tone in the first minute with a wonderful break down the left that ended with a 

first time shot that edged over the bar. A minute later Celtic keeper, Mas Ostapchuk, had to make a 

smart save. Ballyfermot had shown their intent but Celtic were eager to go toe to toe. It was 

whirlwind one touch football by both teams but it was Celtic who broke the deadlock. Andre 

Ungareanu played the ball out wide to Caitlin Labont whose was first time ball from the left into the 

box was met by the express train that was James Browne who planted the ball into the net. 0-1.

The goal gave Celtic the upper hand and soon it was two. This time Ben “Stevie G” Forde split the 

defence with a perfectly weighted through ball to Caitlin who in a flash with his first touch lifted the 

ball over the keeper into the net. 2-0. Celtic were on fire and the Ballyfermot defence just couldn’t 

handle Caitlin and Andre. With 5 minutes of the half left Celtic were awarded a penalty for a foul on 

Caitlin. Ryan “Maccer” Mc Gregor bravely put his hand up to take the spot kick only to see his shot 

shave the right hand post. HT: 0-2.

Celtic started the half as they finished the first – on top and soon it was three. Luke Hughes went 

down the right before playing a delightful ball to “Stevie G” who’s well hit first time shot seemed 

destined for the net only for the Ballyfermot No 1 to make a great same as he palmed the ball to his 

right only to see “Maccer” powering in to touch the ball home. Great reactions from the Wee man.

Game over? Not on your life as Ballyfermot came roaring back. A well finished goal made it 1-3 and 

Ballyfermot were lifted . As Paul O’ Connell might say “ they put the fear of God into Castleknock”.  

They attacked incessantly and duly got their reward to make it 2-3 and still 10 minutes left. 

Ballyfermot attacked again. Max made a save, then another, then another shot hit the bar. Ryan 

Sherlock who had been a colossus in defence was re-introduced to stabilise the defence and once 

again the “Big Man” did his job. Still it would take something special to secure the points and special 

is what they got. Luke powered down the right again before squaring the ball to Captain James 

Browne who powered home from 10 yards out. 2-4. Luke nearly made it five with an audacious chip 

from 30 yards out that the backpedalling keeper did do well to tap over.

But the game wasn’t over yet – Ballyfermot pushed and again they hit the cross bar. At the other 

end the Ballyfermot made a wonderful save to deny James. It was that sort of game – end to end 

with quality moments everywhere. FT: 2-4.

The score line may say Celtic won the game but football was the real winner here and in truth 

neither team deserved to lose such was the efforts of both sets of players. Arguably the two best 

players on the pitch were the two keepers which probably says it all. Well done lads Magnificent.