Kildangan U12's put in a gritty performance in their first round championship game in wet and windy Moorefield tonight. Despite being behind for over three quarters of the game they came good in the last 10 minutes to record a win that delighted players, mentors and supporters alike.
Kildangan lost the toss and played against a stiff breeze in the first half and were slow to settle. Moorefield kicked the opening 3 points of the game despite the best efforts of an over worked Kildangan full back line of Daragh Coughlan, Annabelle Torpey and Abigail Fenlon. Kildangan were under serious pressure but a goal poked home by Jake Curran brought us level and kept us in touch. Goalkeeper Aidan Casey pulled of three miraculous saves, touching two shots around the post and one against the cross bar to keep Kildangan in the game. Kildangan slowly began to show more of a threat up front with Sophie Murray and Sophie Stynes prominent. Kildangan looked to be heading towards half time with the score line very close until Moorefield hit us for a goal when one of their forward drifted in behind the Kildangan defence and was found with a pass. Moorefield hit us for a further two points before half time as the strong breeze began to tell. Moorefield took a slightly flattering lead of 1-5 to 1-0 into half time.
Kildangan began the second half with more purpose after several positional switches. Tommy Donaher and Julianne Moore went into the forwards and Oscar Law to midfield. Jack Fitzpatrick kicked an early point for Kildangan to cut the gap but this was quickly cancelled out with a free for Moorefield. Kildangan were far busier now and starting to carry a real threat with Senan O'Tuama mobbing up everything at half back and John Gargan and Ross Kenny busy up front. Josh O Rourke showed signs of what was to come when he got in behind the Moorefield defence and rattled the post with what looked like a goal bound shot. Jack Fitzpatrick kicked a point to narrow the gap to 4 points. With ten minutes to go the goal we needed to get back in the game didn't look like it was going to come, that was until Jack Fitzpatrick cut right through the middle and sent a bullet of a shot to the net to put the minimum between the sides. With Sam Worrell and Alice Mahon setting the tone for the final ten minutes with a couple of big tackles on Moorefield players and Sean Casey winning breaks it was now all Kildangan. Josh O Rourke hit a purple patch and kicked a nice point to equalise. He then got in behind the defence and side footed home a goal to put Kildangan 3 points up. Jack Fitzpatrick kicked a 45 to stretch the lead but Josh O Rourke wasnt finished yet as he got another goal after good setup work from Casey McEvoy MacCullagh and Oisin McWey. The final whistle sounded soon afterwards for what was a memorable victory on a final score of Moorefield 1-6 Kildangan 4-4.
This victory puts Kildangan in a great position to come out of the group and into the "Cup" competition. A home game against old foes Maynooth awaits in two weeks time. Training continues Monday evening from 7-8pm in preparation for that game.
