Castleknock dominate in major Dublin GAA event

CASTLEKNOCK produced a stunning second-half display to become 2016 Féile na nGael Peil Division 1 champions, beating Ballinteer St John’s 5-11 to 0-6.

Just two weeks after losing in the final of the Division 1 Hurling Féile in extra time at Parnell Park, the west Dublin team attacked with a flurry of goals early in the second half to claim football glory on the very same pitch.

Having taken the lead early in the game, scoring 1-1 within the first three minutes, Castleknock would be tested in the first half when Ballinteer quickly closed the distance.

The teams would be able to match each other point for point until they went into half-time with the scores level.

However, Castleknock’s attacking pace would prove to be the difference between them and their Southside counterparts, quickly adding two goals to their total in the second half.

By the time co-captain Daniel Murphy completed his hat trick by scoring his side’s fourth goal, the game was all but over.

Castleknock continued to showcase their attacking talents with Conor Murray, Alex Watson and Jack Lynch all making contributions to their 5-11 total, while Ben Harding commanded his fellow defenders to limit a talented Ballinteer side to just six points.

The ruthless manner in which Castleknock finished out the game gave optimism to coaches Johnny Murphy and Paul Harding for the All Ireland Feile this summer, when they will represent Dublin in the competition.

“With our gang of lads, we’d be confident against anyone,” Harding said. “On their day we don’t think anyone can live with them.”

Murphy added: “We’ve nobody to fear. We’ll go wherever we have to go and will perform to the highest levels against teams around the country.”

Elsewhere in the competition, Lucan Sarsfield’s added to their Division 1 Hurling title by winning both the Division 2 and Division 8 football competitions last weekend.

Their ‘A’ team fought hard to defeat St Sylvester’s 1-12 to 1-5 in the Division 2 final at Parnell Park, while their ‘B’ team easily dispatched Trinity Gaels at Blakestown Road on a scoreline of 5-9 to 1-1.

In the other games at Parnell Park, St Jude’s and Round Towers, Lusk, picked up the Division 5 and 8 titles, beating Whitehall Colmcille’s and Ballinteer St Johns respectively.

At Blakestown Road, Thomas Davis became Division 3 champions by defeating Westmanstown Gaels, while Naomh Barróg defeated Ballymun Kickhams to win the Division 4 competition.

With over 71 teams and 1,700 children taking part in the competition throughout the weekend, it was another huge success for Dublin GAA and the clubs involved.

However, with such a dominant display in the marquee game of the competition, the weekend very much belonged to Castleknock.

REPORT: Daniel O’Connor