Mayo duo hoping to lead Castleknock to Dublin glory this weekend

This weekend sees the meeting of Castleknock and Cuala battle it out in the Dublin Senior Football Championship Final. There are two Mayo men involved as Breaffy native John Vahey and former Ballaghaderreen player Shairoize Akram will be hoping to inspire Castleknock to a famous day.

Former Garrymore goalkeeper Morven Connolly knows what it takes for Castleknock to reach a Dublin senior football final. Ten years after helping the West Dublin club reach their first decider, he hopes Mayo men John Vahey and Shairoze Akram can help them finally claim the title.

Castleknock face Cuala with a first Dublin senior championship crown within reach, having ended a frustrating run of quarter-final exits and battled back from adversity to defeat Thomas Davis in the semi-final. For Connolly, who joined Castleknock from Garrymore in 2016, winning the title would represent another milestone in the growth of a club established in 1998.

“Something like Sunday, if they could just win a county title, would really cement the club as a club within Dublin,” he said. “It would be great for the club if they could push on, because it would just give everyone a lift. It would show the work that’s being done at underage and at the coaching level.” Castleknock emerged as the local population expanded, with a small group establishing the club to accommodate growing numbers of children. Their senior team progressed through the grades before successive promotions brought them into Dublin’s top tier.”

Connolly joined in May 2016, when Castleknock were only in their second season as a senior club. That year, they reached their first Dublin senior final, losing to St Vincent’s after a hectic championship campaign. The goalkeeper remembers a young side struggling to find time to prepare amid a compressed schedule. “We were a very young team, probably green and off the cuff,” he said. “There wasn’t time really to catch your breath, and there wasn’t time really to prepare.” “We had chances in the final and a couple of good chances in the second half that might have taken the game a bit closer, but St Vincent’s were very deserving winners.”

Castleknock continued to reach the knockout stages in subsequent seasons, but the quarter-finals repeatedly proved their stumbling block. Connolly, who remained involved until 2024, has watched the club finally break that cycle this year. “Of the next eight or nine years, we got to a quarter-final every year bar one, and we lost nearly every quarter-final,” he said. “This is the first time the club has won a quarter-final since 2016, and obviously they’ve gone and won a semi-final. Now we’re in the final again.”

Their semi-final victory over Thomas Davis demonstrated how much the team has changed. After leading at half-time, Castleknock endured a difficult opening to the second period and fell four points behind. Conceding three goals was a concern, but they found a way back to secure their place in the final. Vahey believes that resilience distinguishes this year’s side from previous teams. “I’ve been told that we lost them games before, but this was apparently a different Castleknock team this year. We fought back, and a lot of the lads died in their boots.”

The former Breaffy goalkeeper has made a major contribution since joining the Dublin club, combining his goalkeeping responsibilities with an ability to score from distance. Connolly has been impressed by how quickly Vahey has settled into the side. “He’s come in seamlessly and just blended in,” he said. “He’s very solid, has excellent kick-outs, is good on the high ball and has good shots to offer. “The biggest threat he’s given Castleknock is that in every game he’s popping up with one or two two-pointers, which really helps and I think as the championship has gone on, the stronger he’s got.”

Vahey, who is preparing for his first county final, was quick to acknowledge the contribution of his teammates against Thomas Davis, particularly the substitutes who helped Castleknock recover during their difficult spell. “The subs, when they came on, were absolutely excellent,” he said. “It just shows that if you’re not starting, you will have a big role to play. “It’s not a 15 that wins these games. Our subs certainly nearly won us that game.” Despite the relief of reaching the final, Vahey knows there is work to do before facing Cuala. “Conceding three goals just isn’t good enough on our side ,” he said. “We’ll need to tighten that up.” He is nevertheless delighted to have become part of a club whose supporters have remained behind the team through years of disappointment.

Ballaghaderreen man Akram has also been central to Castleknock’s progress. Operating at wing-forward, he has made his mark through his work rate and defensive contribution, often tasked with limiting the influence of opposition dangermen. “Shairoze has been phenomenal,” Connolly said. “He’s been the go-to man from a defensive perspective, tagging some of the bigger players on teams and doing very, very well. No doubt he’ll have a big impact.”

The Mayo connection reflects Castleknock’s wider identity. Connolly describes the club as having a strong country influence, with members from Mayo, Cavan and elsewhere helping shape its character. “There’s a real country aspect to it,” he said. “There are a good few people from Mayo, a few people from Cavan, all over really. I think it is a little bit of a country club in Dublin.” The club has expanded considerably since Connolly’s arrival, investing in playing facilities as its membership has grown. Football, ladies’ football and camogie all compete for space, reflecting the scale of the organisation that has developed from its modest beginnings.

For Connolly, a senior title would reward years of work and the persistence of players who have continued despite repeated setbacks. Now Castleknock are within reach of the title that has eluded them since their breakthrough run in 2016. Cuala will provide a formidable test, but Connolly believes the club has earned its place among Dublin’s leading sides.

Vahey and Akram will be central to their hopes of making history, with Connolly watching on as two Mayo men aim to help Castleknock complete their long journey to the top. “Hopefully the lads can just get themselves over the line,” he said. “It would be great for the club.”