Our U12's had a busy few days with two championship games in 4 days to wrap up the "Cup" Championship Group. Having won their opening fixture against Monasterevin we had two remaining fixtures against St Laurences and Kill to determine who made it through to the Championship Semi's. Here's how things panned out:
Life Credit Union U12 Championship Cup Group Round 2 30-10-24
St Laurences 5-6 Kildangan 4-3
Kildangan made the trip to St Laurences on Wednesday evening for a rearranged fixture that was called off earlier due to an unplayable pitch. The first half began with Kildangan playing down the hill on a greasy night for football. With many of the Kildangan players not used to playing under lights we were slow to settle. St Laurences opened the scoring with an early point. There were several early scares for Kildangan are St Laurences dominated the early stages however Jack Fitzpatrick drew the sides level with a nice point for Kildangan. It was obvious from the early exchanges and previous scores they put up that this St Laurences side would be real contenders for this U12 Championship. The game was competitive from the off with exchanges in the middle third being very physical. The Kildangan half backs were kept busy with Alice Mahon, Oscar Law and Senan O'Tuama doing their best to stem the tide. St Laurences hit us for a goal and a further two points to stretch the lead out to five points mid way through the half. Things didn't get any easier for the remainder of the half despite the best efforts of Jake Curran and Abigail Fenlon at the back and Niamh Gleeson in midfield. The Kildangan forward line were living off scraps but Julianne Moore and Josh O Rourke made the most of what came their way. Aidan Casey in goals could do little to prevent a second St Laurences goal. A further point before half time for St Laurences left the halftime score St Laurences 2-4 Kildangan 0-1.
The second half began with several positional switches for Kildangan. Annabelle Torpey was moved to centre back to try stem the influence of the St Laurences danger man and had an immediate impact. Kildangan began to look a different outfit and when Jack Fitzpatrick struck a good goal after bursting through the middle, it lifted the team. St Laurences stung by this, answered with a goal themselves. However with Seamie Fitzpatrick and Sean Casey busy it was Kildangan who answered again with a Casey McEvoy MacCullagh goal followed by a lovely point off the right boot from Jack Fitzpatrick. St Laurences came back with a goal of their own but when Eva Rose Connell, just sprung from the bench smashed home a goal for Kildangan it was game on! Jack Fitzpatrick produced a wonder strike for Kildangan to put three points between the sides. This was a huge turn around from being nine points down at half time and the game all but gone. Ross Kenny was introduced up front and Tommy Donaher had a shot blocked on the line as we pushed on. Jack Ryan and John Gargan were now on for Kildangan and looking dangerous alongside Oisin McWey. The next score would be crucial and unfortunately it was a goal and went St Laurences way. They added a further two points to go seven clear. Despite this Kildangan had the last say with Niamh Gleeson knocking over a good long range point to leave the final score St Laurences 5-6 Kildangan 4-3.
Life Credit Union U12 Championship Cup Group Round 3 2-11-24
Kildangan 4-2 Kill 1-3
Kildangan went into the final group game against Kill in greasy and overcast More O'Ferrall Park knowing that a win would give them a home semi-final and a defeat would lead to a 3 way tie for second and possible elimination. It was clear Kildangan meant business from the off with the throw-in being won and immediately putting Kill on the back foot. Josh O'Rourke got his first touch and crashed home a goal to get his team moving. Casey McEvoy MacCullagh followed this up with a classy point from play to stretch the lead. Kildangan were dominating all over the field with Oscar Law, Annabelle Torpey and Sophie Stynes prominent at the back. Niamh Gleeson and Jack Fitzpatrick were covering every blade of grass on the pitch from midfield and Senan O'Tuama relishing his new role at wing forward. Despite this we weren't adding to our lead despite dominating the game. Kill tempered our confidence somewhat with a good point after some very efficient play. There were a few scary moment around the Kildangan goalmouth due to the greasy ball, however more than once Jake Curran and Aidan Casey came to Kildangan's rescue. Roared on by a big home crowd Kildangan found their rhythm again. Tommy Donaher and Sean Casey came close with a goal chances and then Josh O'Rourke cracked home his second goal to finally put the gap between the sides that our play deserved. Kildangan were tight at the back with Alice Mahon, Daragh Coughlan and Abigail Fenlon doing a good job on their opponents. Jack Fitzpatrick kicked a fantastic point from distance to bring us in ahead at half-time on a score of 2-2 to 0-1.
The second half began with a Kill point to remind us that this game wasn't over yet. Jack Fitzpatrick then crashed a shot off the post for Kildangan. Kildangan subs were coming on and all staking a claim for places with Julianne Moore, Eva Rose Connell, Jack Ryan and Oisin McWey all doing well. Seamie Fitzpatrick looked to be back to his old self with an assured display at corner back after coming on and clearing one ball off the line after a shot from Kill rattled the crossbar and dropped on the line. Sam Worrell was also introduced around the middle and handled a serious amount of ball and set up many opportunities for team mates. Sophie Murray wasted no time in making an impression, just in off the bench, by crashing home a good goal to get Kildangan's first score of the second half. Sean Casey got in on the act himself with a good goal to put Kildangan twelve points ahead and almost out of sight. The team (and mentors) could relax and enjoy the closing 5 minutes of the game, despite conceding 1-1 in the closing minutes knowing that a potentially difficult assignment had been over come and we have a semi final to look forward to that our recent form deserves.
The reaction of the team after defeat to St Laurences a few days earlier was first class. That was the end of an amazing 10 game unbeaten run for the team. The team have now booked a home semi final and subject to confirmation, what looks like a local derby against Monasterevin. With a panel of 25 players, it goes to show this team are really enjoying their football. We'd encourage everyone in the club come out and support the team in the semi-final and "be the 16th man (or woman)" and get them over the line and into a County Final! Training continues this Monday in preparation for that game.
