Castleisland AFC had both the A and B teams start their league campaigns on Sunday and both emerged with full points.
By Neil O’Sullivan
The A team played at home to Mastergeeha in the Denny Premier A League and came out with a 1-0 victory. The B team traveled to Camp and picked up all three points winning 2-1.
The A team kicked off at 11.30am in conditions expected in the middle of December.
Wind and rain made it difficult for both sides but Castleisland started the better and controlled the early stages with Timmy Walsh and Barry Lynch controlling midfield.
Struck the Post
Tommy Feehan struck the post early in the half with a low hit strike from inside the box. Castleisland looked dangerous throughout the half and on the 37th minute Tommy Feehan found space at the back post but his shot was excellently saved by the Mastergeeha goal keeper, Jerry Cronin. 0-0 at half time.
The second half started much the same with the home side in control and Mastergeeha trying to keep them at bay.
Fouled on the Wing
On the 55th minute Seán Óg Ó Ciardubháin was fouled out on the wing and hit his free kick deep into the box, evading everyone and beating the keeper to give Castleisland a deserved lead.
Mastergeeha created a few half chances in the second half but Steven Bartlett was on hand to make some tidy saves. Late in the half Castleisland won a penalty and Danny Feehan stepped up but Mastergeeha keeper, Cronin pulled off another great save. 1-0 the final score.
Colin McCarthy and Daniel Downey had great games at full back and Pierce Brosnan was also one of the better players on the day as the boys picked up a deserved three points.
The B Team in Camp
The B team kicked off at 2pm in Camp against the home side in the Denny Premier B League.
The boys headed into the game knowing that this would be a very tough assignment to start the season as Camp are very solid on their home ground.
Hurricane Like Conditions
The game was played in hurricane like conditions and Castleisland started with the wind. Castleisland started well and had a number of half chances in the early stages.
In the 28th minute Castleisland pressed from the front with Thonty Lynch winning possession and feeding Eamon McLoughlin with McLoughlin unleashing a strike which deflected into the bottom corner.
McLoughlin Strike on Target
Eamon claims the strike was on target so we will have to credit him with the goal rather than an OG.
Castleisland had two more great chances in the next few minutes with Stephen McCarthy was denied by the keeper as he raced in one on one after a beautiful ball from Thonty Lynch.
Eamon McLoughlin was denied a second goal by the Camp keeper who kept his side in the game in the first half.
Sting in the Tail
Late in the half the boys suffered a sting in the tail as a long ball caused confusion in the back and Camp’s James Scanlon was left tapping the ball into an empty net.
On the stroke of half time the boys produced a bit of magic that would be fitting in the Nou Camp. Shane O’Loughlin won the ball back in midfield and played it to his midfield partner Lynch who cut open the defence with a great pass to Ethan Brosnan who found Pa O’Rourke poaching at the back post.
Carmody and Byrne on Top Form
Patrick finished like he always does giving the boys a deserved half time lead. The second half saw Camp playing with the wind and Castleisland worked hard to keep them out.
Paul Carmody and Ger Byrne were on top form at the back making a number of blocks and challenges to to deny the Camp strikers.
A free kick from 35 yards was brilliantly struck by a Camp player and cannoned back off the post.
A Great Shift
Martin Hewitt pulled off a number of good saves in the second half to maintain Castleisland’s narrow advantage. All 14 players put in a great shift and deserve excellent credit for the attitude they showed on the pitch.
Well done to both sides and managers and we hope that these results are the first of many wins throughout the season.
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