On a glorious evening for football Kildangan welcomed near neighbours Ellistown to More O'Ferrall Park for Round 6 of the U12 league. An earlier throw in time of 6.00pm didn't seem to hamper Kildangan and playing with a strong breeze at our backs we raced into a 0-3 to nil lead in the opening 15 mins. With John Gargan lively up front we had points from Oisin McWey, Sean Casey and Jack Fitzpatrick. Kildangan backs were mopping up everything that came their way with Senan O Tuama, Seamie Fitzpatrick and Jake Curran in a new position of full-back doing well. We suffered a set back midway through the half when Ellistown scored a goal on their first real attack when an awkward ball was well saved by Daragh Coughlan in goals but it dropped to an in-rushing Ellistown forward to score. Ellistown pointed soon afterwards leaving Kildangan a point behind despite playing the majority of the football. A good point by Jack Fitzpatrick drew us level approaching half time however there was still time for Ellistown to nick another point and go in ahead at half time with a scoreline of Kildangan 0-4 Ellistown 1-2.
Kildangan turned around to face a stiff breeze in the second-half and had Ellistown on the front foot from the off. They had two quick points on the board to put them 0-3 points up. Good defending by Julianne Moore and Annabelle Torpey kept us in the game during this period. A shake up in positions saw Josh O Rourke and Aidan Casey go to wing backs with Oscar Law, Sam Worrell and Sophie Stynes joining the half forward line. This seemed to do the trick and Kildangan did what they had been threatening to do for several games now and cut loose. First Oisin McWey scored a nice point to narrow the gap to 0-2 points. Then a ball dropped to full forward Casey McEvoy McCullagh and just as we expected the net to bulge, a rasping shot was somehow tipped over by the Ellistown keeper for a point for Kildangan. With the gap to a minimum it was now all Kildangan with Niamh Gleeson and Alice Mahon prominent in the middle third. Casey McEvoy McCullagh was presented with another goal opportunity moments later and this time made no mistake to put us 0-2 points ahead with 5 minutes remaining. It was backs to the wall stuff in the closing minutes knowing that a goal would probably win it for Ellistown. Kildangan broke out of defence with time just up and won a free. Quick thinking by Tommy Donagher played the ball to Oisin McWey in the corner to kick the insurance point. The final whistle sounded soon afterward signalling a well deserved win. It would be unfair to single any players out in what was a real team performance but everyone can be very proud of their efforts this evening digging out a victory against the odds. Final score Kildangan 1-7 Ellistown 1-4.
Training continues on Monday from 7-8pm. Please note our next league game is next Friday (14th) away to Maynooth (not Friday 21st as originally fixed).
