Kildangan completed their championship group campaign in style with a fine win against Kill this evening in Kill. With Kildangan knowing that Kill required something from the game themselves to ensure their own progress to the next stage, the win this evening was even more impressive.
Playing with the wind, Kill came out of the blocks early in the opening minutes and had a point on the board with two minutes played. Exchanges were frantic in the opening minutes with Kildangan's goalmouth seeing several scary moments. Kildangan survived the early onslaught with good defending from Annabelle Torpey and Senan O'Tuama. Kildangan dealt Kill a sucker punch after their early pressure when Josh O'Rourke got behind the defence to find the back of the net. Josh O Rourke kicked a nice point from play soon afterwards to stretch the lead. Oisin McWey kicked a good point to stretch out the lead further. Kill hit back with a goal of their own when a free from out the field found the back of the net to cut the lead back to one point. At this point Aidan Casey made a very good save in the Kildangan goal to keep Kildangan ahead. Jack Fitzpatrick and Niamh Gleeson with both having fine games in the Kildangan midfield with their catching, blocking and distribution of the highest quality. They were ably assisted by Sean Casey and Casey McEvoy MacCullagh who was roving around at No.11 and fielding several spectacular high balls. Jack Fitzpatrick found the net for Kildangan just before half-time with a goal from long range. This sent Kildangan in ahead at halftime on a score-line of Kill 1-1 Kildangan 2-2 having played against the wind.
The second half had barely began when Tommy Donaher collected a ball at full forward and sent a shot to the net. Kill answered with a point of their own. Kildangan were getting well on top all over the field with Sophie Stynes, Daragh Coughlan and Abigail Fenlon impressive at the back and never giving an inch to their opponents and making several important clearances. Julianne Moore had a good shot saved by the Kill goalkeeper. This was followed by another shot from Tommy Donaher coming back off the crossbar. John Gargan and Sam Worrell were proving a real handful too for the Kill backline. Jack Fitzpatrick found the net for Kildangan midway through the half. Kildangan saw the game home with Alice Mahon and Jake Curran (carrying an injury) controlling play at the back and points being added by Casey McEvoy MacCullagh, Josh O'Rourke and Sophie Murray. Seamie Fitzpatrick came close to adding a goal also before full time. The full time whistle sounded soon afterwards on a final score of Kill 1-2 Kildangan 4-5.
Although their were hero's all over the field for Kildangan, the trio of Jack Fitzpatrick, Annabelle Torpey and Senan O'Tuama led by example for the full 50mins and deserve special mention. This means Kildangan go through to the "Cup" Group as Group B winners with three more games to come including a local derby against Monasterevin. The improvement and form this team are showing, they will prove formidable opposition to anyone.
