Our U12s welcomed Maynooth to More O Ferrall Park this evening on a beautiful evening for championship football. When a full panel is togged out and ready a full half hour before throw in, its always a good sign. It was a fixture that had a little bit of extra edge following a controversial league match played in Maynooth several months back where Kildangan came out on the wrong side of a score keeping error from the referee. This evening, there was no doubt about the result however as Kildangan worked hard from start to finish to claim another championship win and put one foot in the next stage of the competition.
The game opened at a fast championship pace with exchanges evenly contested in the opening minutes with nothing between the sides. Oisin McWey opened Kildangan's account with a classy point from play. This was soon cancelled out by a point from Maynooth. Kildangan were working hard all over the field, none more so than Julianne Moore in the Kildangan forward line. A foul on Niamh Gleeson was converted by Jack Fitzpatrick to put Kildangan back in front. A slick Kildangan handpassing move cut Maynooth open and with Jack Fitzpatrick about to rattle the net he was dragged to the ground. Despite half the Maynooth team lined up on their own goal line Jack Fitzpatrick found the top corner with the free which he blasted to the net. Jack Fitzpatrick found the net again minutes later which opened up a clear gap between the sides. With the Kildangan half back line of Senan O'Tuama, Eva-Rose Connell and Oscar Law dominating their markers, Kildangan kept the pressure on their opponents. Maynooth continued to be a threat and had a nice point to keep them in touch. Sean Casey replied with a good point for Kildangan when he cut in from the right wing. Kildangan's continued pressure on Maynooth all over the field was reaping rewards and further goals came from Josh O'Rourke and Cameron Kavanagh just before half time. This left the half time score of Kildangan 4-3 Maynooth 0-2.
Maynooth began the second half well with a point as the half time break seemed to break Kildangan's momentum. Senan O'Tuama broke up from the back to get Kildangan off the mark for the second half. Oisin McWey followed up with a point as Kildangan got going again. A superb save by Aidan Casey and excellent defending from the full back line of Abigail Fenlon, Jake Curran and Annabelle Torpey meant Maynooth couldn't close the gap. Sophie Stynes having a massive game now from centre back for Kildangan reading every ball and being well assisted by Sam Worrell. A goal for Maynooth was quickly answered by one of our own from Josh O'Rourke. Maynooth answered with a point but good play from Tommy Donaher, Sophie Murray and Ross Kenny resulted in Kildangan adding goals from Jack Fitzpatrick and Josh O'Rourke. Another goal bound shot from John Gargan was blocked on the line. Kildangan saw out the game strongly with Alice Mahon and Casey McEvoy MacCullagh to the fore. The final score read Kildangan 7-5 Maynooth 1-4.
The most pleasing aspect of the win was despite the teams being fairly evenly matched, it was Kildangan's continuous tackling and work rate that was the difference and something Maynooth just couldn't handle. Kildangan march on to their final group game against Kill away in two weeks time full of confidence knowing a win will guarantee top position with the "Cup" group to follow.
Well done to Eva-Rose playing her first U12 game for Kildangan
