Denny Premier A: Fenit 3 Castleisland AFC 4
The A team travelled to Fenit on Thursday night looking to bounce back from a bad result four days earlier.
By Neil O’Sullivan, PRO
The game was always going to be a true test of the character within the squad after coming off the back of a defeat and facing a must win match against a Fenit side who are hard to beat on their home patch.
O’Callaghan’s Header from Mahony’s Cross
Castleisland started well and opened the scoring within ten minutes when Aidan O’Callaghan headed home a great cross from Kevin Mahony.
Fenit, to their credit, regrouped and mounted an attack down the right hand side where a cross from the right struck the hand of Micheál Walsh and referee Tom Sullivan pointed to the spot.
Fenit made no mistake with the spot kick, 1-1. Castleisland were to be dealt another blow prior to half time when Fenit’s right winger cut inside and unleashed a bullet into the top right hand corner of Bartlett’s net. 2-1 at half time.
O’Donoghue’s Goal from McCarthy’s Cross
Having left a 1-0 lead slip, heads could have easily gone down in the second half, especially with the added loss of their influential centre back O’Callaghan, who picked up a knock early in the second half.
Credit to the boys they dug in and out battled Fenit for the rest of the game.
Ten minutes into the half Castleisland equalised through Cathal O’Donoghue who headed home Colin McCarthy’s cross.
Going for the Win
The game was really heating up now with both sides going for the win and a few questionable refereeing decisions adding to the atmosphere.
Castleisland missed a great chance to take the lead when Stephen McCarthy crossed for Feehan but his header from a yard out went wide.
Feehan quickly made up for his mistake by cooly converting a penalty with 20 minutes remaining. Five minutes later, club legend Shane O’Loughlin – who can always be called upon by the club – headed home a fourth goal to give Castleisland a cushion going into the final period.
A Bit of Deja Vu
There was a bit of deja vu in the final attack of the game as Fenit were awarded a second penalty with the ball clipping Micheál Walsh’s hand in the box once again.
This time the decision was a bit harsh but Fenit seized the opportunity and scored a consolation with the last kick of the game.
A big result for a Castleisland side who were down a few regulars and whose character was rightly questioned after defeat the weekend before.
Doing It Again on Sunday Morning
The whole squad stood up on Thursday evening and fought hard to claim a big three points to keep them in pole position for a place in the final.
Big tests lay ahead in the coming days and they will have to call on the spirit, fight and character they showed against Fenit for the rest of the season.
A quick turnaround sees the boys play Fenit again this Sunday morning at Georgie O’Callaghan Park. Kick off at 11.30.
