A week has passed since Kildangan’s heartbreaking exit from their league campaign and it’s time to reflect on the game and the league as a whole.

Kildangan came out to considerably large crowd on Friday evening as they faced Naas in More O’Ferrall Park. Kildangan had made their home ground somewhat of a fortress this year having gone unbeaten there up until a couple of weeks ago. Not only had they beaten teams there but ‘sent them home with their tail between their legs’. There was an oasis amongst the wind and rain of Friday the 21st as Kildangan warmed up basking in the sun. 

The game began with a Naas point which was quickly responded to by none other than Mark O’Donovan. 3 Naas points were soon answered by the same man again but a Naas goal but them in a strong position. Daniel Gilbert gave a true captains response scoring an unbelievable point off the outside of his left boot. Naas held off the remainder of the first half scoring 6 points compared to Kildangan’s 3.

Half Time Score; Naas 1.10 - 0.6 Kildangan

Daniel Gilbert opened the scoring for the second half but he was soon silenced by 1.01 from Naas. Naas looked certain to score a second goal, but Seán ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgearld had other plans making an exceptional save. That save would prove to have a 6 point swing as Mark O’Donovan channeled his inner Maradona beating half the Naas team with his twists and turns before picking out Sean Behan from about 40 yards away. Sean Behan finished off the move with an excellent goal as we flicked the ball over the full back and goalkeeper into the back of the net. Another Naas 1.01 would seal the victory for them. Daniel Gilbert proved his worth as a captain going down with his ship as he dug out 1.01 in the closing minutes. 

Full Time Score: Naas 3.14 - 2.09 Kildangan

Man of the match: Daniel Gilbert; Scored 1.03 on the night and showed real leadership throughout the game regardless of the scoreline.

Moment of the match: Mark O’Donovan’s unbelievable run, beating 6/7 Naas men before pinging a ball from 40 yards away into Sean Behan to set up a goal.

A resilient Kildangan team that struggled to catch a break against Naas saw them exit the league. However it does not cast a shadow on their excellent performances throughout the campaign.

Kildangan had a great league campaign that unfortunately didn’t all come together at the final moment when needed most. Some massive winning margins against Moorefield and Raheens saw Kildangan play the best football we’ve ever seen from a Kildangan senior team. The highlight of the league came as we played a very strong Athy side. Kildangan’s young and resilient team held off an Athy side filled with former county minibars and u21s and plenty of lads who have senior championship medals from only a couple of years back.

There is promising time’s ahead as a Kildangan supporter and we ask that the whole village gets behind the team come August for the championship. Kildangan’s young and talented team, with commitment and hard work, can definitely move mountains. 

Photos courtesy of Michael Higgins available on instagram.