Castleview capture the AUL Premier A League title after 3-1 win over Cathedral Celtic
Castleview players and supporters celebrate after being crowned Premier A champions, following their 3-1 victory over Cathedral Celtic.
And what a terrific league campaign they have had after just losing one game from 13 while scoring 44 goals along the way.
They had to produce a big performance against a Cathedral Celtic side that pushed them all the way before managing to get themselves over the line, but goals from Darren O’Sullivan, Derek Kiely and James Green certainly helped them to achieve their objective in the end.
An elated Castleview manager James Nagle had this to say after the game.
“I’m so proud for the club first of all and for a great bunch of players that gave 100% commitment over the season.
“We will celebrate this victory now, but will also make plans as we look forward to life in the Premiership next season,” said Nagle.
The game itself bounced into left with Cian White firing wide from Jamie O’Donovan’s cross.
But what a chance fell for Cathedral after that when a sumptuous ball from William Corcoran played in Aaron Skillington, but he was denied by Ryan McCarthy who advanced off his line to make a wonderful save.
The View nosed in front on ten minutes though and it was Darren O’Sullivan who pounced on to a cross from Jamie O’Donovan to drill home from inside the box.
Cathedral responded and from a throw ball, Ivan Skillington flicked inside to Cian Madden who took a steadying touch before cracking a terrific effort narrowly over.
A sweeping ball by Stuart Murphy from deep inside his own half picked out Jamie O’Donovan, but he rifled over from an acute angle.
Cathedral’s keeper Jordan O’Connor did well with his timely intervention to win a 50-50 challenge with Kevlin Greaney from Jamie O’Donovan’s cross.
Then, from a kick-out, Darren O’Sullivan headed on for Jamie O’Donovan who helped on for Kelvin Greaney to strike the upright with his effort.
And from Cian White’s corner, the ball arrived for Jamie O’Donovan who was denied by a parried save by Jordan O’Connor and from the loose ball, Kelvin Greaney pounced – only to see O’Connor bring off another fine save at point blank.
But, Cathedral were awarded a penalty on 38 minutes for an infringement inside the box and from the spot, William Corcoran made no mistake with a well-struck effort down the middle.
Cathedral nearly paid the price minutes later when Rourke was caught in possession, but as Cian White made in-roads towards goal, Jamie O’Connor came to his side’s rescue at the expense of a corner.
With just minutes to the break, Jamie O’Donovan got away on the right, but fired over from a narrow angle.
The second period burst into life with Darren O’Sullivan embarking on a run down the left, but his intended cross for the available Jamie O’Donovan was well read by Jordan O’Connor who made an important interception.
A nice Castleview move ensued after that with Cian White playing it short for Stuart Murphy who found Darren O’Sullivan to drill over from outside the box before Cian White forced Jordan O’Connor to a solid near-post save.
The View came close after that when Kelvin Greaney saw his header bounce off the bar from Stuart Murphy’s cross.
And when Stuart Murphy fed Kelvin Greaney with an inch-perfect pass, he hooked over with the goal in sight.
The View were pressing now and got their noses in front when from a corner, Derek Kiely rose highest to power his header into the back of the net and hand them the advantage again on 75 minutes.
James Green then setup Jamie Mason with a chance, but once again, Jordan O’Connor produced a solid block.
Two minutes later, the goal of the game arrived.
A measured pass by Stuart Murphy picked out James Green in space and as the Cathedral keeper advanced, Green produced an audacious, but immaculate finish with a measured chipped effort that nestled in the net on 85.
At this stage, the game as a contest was over and soon after the referee blew his final whistle, chants of “champeones” took over from the Castleview players and supporters before they were crowned as Premier A champions for season 2023-24.
Cathedral Celtic: Jordan O’Connor, Jamie O’Connor, Patrick O’Leary, Sebastian Donovan, Rob Rourke, Anthony Raymond, Cian Madden, Johnnie O’Sullivan, Ivan Skillington, William Corcoran and Aaron Skillington.
Subs: Evan Burke for Cian White (55), Michael Kiely for Dylan Cambridge (60), James Green for Darren O’Sullivan (70), Jamie Mason for Jamie O’Donovan (73), Finbarr Cooney for Kelvin Greaney (87).
Castleview: Ryan McCarthy, David Burke, Dylan Cambridge, Derek Kiely, Corey Crowley, Dalian Wall, Stuart Murphy, Kelvin Greaney, Cian White, Darren O’Sullivan and Jamie O’Donovan.
Subs: Paul Byrne for Patrick O’Leary (half-time).
Ref: Alan McDonagh.
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