Kildanagan seniors faced Straffan in a repeat of last years championship semi-final in which Straffan were narrowly victorious. For Kildangan's young and talented team, 2023's loss was a sour one and lingered in the minds of the players as they seen Straffan go on and win the championship outright last year. As the draw came out and it was confirmed we would be facing Straffan yet again there was a sense of unfinished business amongst the lads. They weren't going to let it slip away on them this time.
After a day of on and off showers, the rain seemed to take a break for the main event of the evening in More O'Ferrall Park. Cian Reilly opened proceedings with a well worked point and that was not the last we seen from on the day. Straffan responded with a free but it was quickly followed by a second Cian Reilly point. Straffan leveled the scores once again but that was the end of the two sides trading scores. Over the next 20 minutes Kildangan scored an impressive 1.06 unanswered, 1.02 of which Cian Reilly can take the credit for. Mark O'Donovan's cute play saw him set up Cian Reilly for his goal in excellent fashion followed by an Oisin Irvin point with the self proclaimed 'best left foot in Kildangan'. 2 points by Mark O'Donovan in this time proved him to be a key player for Kildangan. Straffan looked to close the gap scoring two points on the bounce, but another Mark O'Donovan point silenced the away side, followed by a Cian Murtagh goal, which I'm sure he'll tell everyone was a genuine shot at goal, catching the Straffan goalkeeper off guard. A Joey Walsh point sealed the first half for Kildangan going into the break with a lead of 2.10 - 0.04.
Alan Donoher opened proceedings with a point but the next 30 minutes were going to be a dog fight for Kildangan. Straffan scored 1.02 unanswered before Cian Reilly scored yet another point making the scores 2.12 - 1.06 with 12 minutes to go. Despite the defensive efforts of Alex McCann, Joe Broughall and Eoghan O'Fearghaill, Straffan managed to get the scores back to 2.12 - 2.08 in favour of Kildangan. Daniel Gilbert's midfield battle with Straffan's no. 9 was one which Kildangan's captain seemed to come out the right side of and it was older and more experienced players like Daniel we really relied on in the final few minutes. Kildangan managed to fend off the Straffan attack in the closing minutes and a Cian Reilly point sealed the deal for Kildangan (although he'd been hoping for a second goal).
Kildangan 2.13 - 2.08 Straffan
Man of the match: Cian Reilly; having scored 1.06 and proving a leathal threat off both feet upfront it was a well earned first man of the match this year for Cian Reilly.
Moment of the match: Cian Murtagh's bottom corner goal which saw Kildangan's lead stretch out considerably before the half time break.
Last night's victory sees Kildangan through to our first championship final in 3 years. The final is set for 8pm, 11th October, Pitch 1, Manguard Park, Hawkfield. Ticket information will follow in the next few days.
Getting through to a championship final at the senior level, the main team of the club, is a massive boost for the club and community. We're hoping the village really gets behind the lads in the next 2 weeks and shows them the support and respect they deserve and have earned with their exemplary performances in the Kildangan jersey. The last two times we played county finals, in 2015 & 2021, there was a sea of green and yellow in the stands and it seemed like almost the whole village was there.
Congratulations to the lads on such a great achievement. Let's bring it home now October 11th!
Cill Daingean Abú!
For photos please head over to Kildangan GAA on instagram.
After a day of on and off showers, the rain seemed to take a break for the main event of the evening in More O'Ferrall Park. Cian Reilly opened proceedings with a well worked point and that was not the last we seen from on the day. Straffan responded with a free but it was quickly followed by a second Cian Reilly point. Straffan leveled the scores once again but that was the end of the two sides trading scores. Over the next 20 minutes Kildangan scored an impressive 1.06 unanswered, 1.02 of which Cian Reilly can take the credit for. Mark O'Donovan's cute play saw him set up Cian Reilly for his goal in excellent fashion followed by an Oisin Irvin point with the self proclaimed 'best left foot in Kildangan'. 2 points by Mark O'Donovan in this time proved him to be a key player for Kildangan. Straffan looked to close the gap scoring two points on the bounce, but another Mark O'Donovan point silenced the away side, followed by a Cian Murtagh goal, which I'm sure he'll tell everyone was a genuine shot at goal, catching the Straffan goalkeeper off guard. A Joey Walsh point sealed the first half for Kildangan going into the break with a lead of 2.10 - 0.04.
Alan Donoher opened proceedings with a point but the next 30 minutes were going to be a dog fight for Kildangan. Straffan scored 1.02 unanswered before Cian Reilly scored yet another point making the scores 2.12 - 1.06 with 12 minutes to go. Despite the defensive efforts of Alex McCann, Joe Broughall and Eoghan O'Fearghaill, Straffan managed to get the scores back to 2.12 - 2.08 in favour of Kildangan. Daniel Gilbert's midfield battle with Straffan's no. 9 was one which Kildangan's captain seemed to come out the right side of and it was older and more experienced players like Daniel we really relied on in the final few minutes. Kildangan managed to fend off the Straffan attack in the closing minutes and a Cian Reilly point sealed the deal for Kildangan (although he'd been hoping for a second goal).
Kildangan 2.13 - 2.08 Straffan
Man of the match: Cian Reilly; having scored 1.06 and proving a leathal threat off both feet upfront it was a well earned first man of the match this year for Cian Reilly.
Moment of the match: Cian Murtagh's bottom corner goal which saw Kildangan's lead stretch out considerably before the half time break.
Last night's victory sees Kildangan through to our first championship final in 3 years. The final is set for 8pm, 11th October, Pitch 1, Manguard Park, Hawkfield. Ticket information will follow in the next few days.
Getting through to a championship final at the senior level, the main team of the club, is a massive boost for the club and community. We're hoping the village really gets behind the lads in the next 2 weeks and shows them the support and respect they deserve and have earned with their exemplary performances in the Kildangan jersey. The last two times we played county finals, in 2015 & 2021, there was a sea of green and yellow in the stands and it seemed like almost the whole village was there.
Congratulations to the lads on such a great achievement. Let's bring it home now October 11th!
Cill Daingean Abú!
For photos please head over to Kildangan GAA on instagram.
