Life Credit Union U12 Championship Final
30-11-24
St Laurences 4-6 Kildangan 1-2
The last time Kildangan U12's reached a County Final the bulk of this team had barely started primary school so it was with a sense of novelty mixed with great excitement and expectation, we approached this county final. Kildangan social media was ablaze with player profiles, team news and photos of flags and bunting that added to the sense of occasion. The Kildangan team arrived early for the game looking the part in their new tops sponsored by Pauline Stynes. The occasion was added to further when David Law led the team onto the field with pipes.
We knew the weather wasn't going to be very kind at this time of year and so it proved, and to say that the pitch was challenging for both teams would be an understatement. Our opposition were strong favourites going into the game, as we were well aware they had put up big scores against all comers leading into the final. We made the decision to play with the wind in the first half if we won the toss, and so it transpired. Kildangan were dealt a blow in the lead up to the game with goalkeeper Aidan Casey ruled out with injury, forcing us to use our stylish defender Daragh Coughlan in goals as we had against Monasterevin in the semi-final.
The first half began with Kildangan on the front foot, and almost straight from the throw in Jack Fitzpatrick soloed through the middle and despite desperate attempts to dispossess him he buried a shot in the top left to give Kildangan a dream start. Kildangan looked strong in the opening minutes with Niamh Gleeson, Sophie Stynes and Oscar Law getting on a lot of ball. Oisin McWey and Senan O'Tuama were a constant threat up front for Kildanagn. Kildangan fell foul to the referees whistle continuously in the opening 10 minutes, much of it for over carrying the ball, decisions which seemed to be of the harsh variety. St Laurences looked dangerous when they attacked and had the Kildangan backline scrambling on several occasions. St Laurences opened their own account with a point about 5 minutes in. They followed up with a goal to put them ahead after hesitation in the Kildangan backline. Despite the best efforts of Daragh Coughlan in goal, Seamie Fitzpatrick and Abigal Fenlon, St Laurences added a second goal minutes later to put them four points ahead. Kildangan made several switches at this point with Annabelle Torpey and Jake Curran switching positions. Sam Worrell, Eva Rose Connell and Sophie Murray were introduced from the bench. Jack Fitzpatrick a good point from a free to pull a point back for Kildangan to make it a three point game. Several other frees went astray for Kildangan as the swirling wind played havoc for free takers. Casey McEvoy MacCullagh got off the mark for Kildangan to bring the score back to a two point gap. With half time just upon us St Laurences got a point to leave the half time score St Laurences 2-2 Kildangan 1-2.
Knowing that St Laurences had the wind for the second half it was essential Kildangan hit the ground running which they did. Kildangan dominated the early exchanges of the second half with Julianne Moore, Alice Mahon and Sean Casey very prominent. The swirling wind was playing havoc however and we couldn't add to our scoring tally. St Laurences broke the Kildangan siege eventually and added a goal on their first real attack to break Kildangan hearts. Kildangan fought bravely into a growing wind with Josh O Rourke and Jack Ryan doing their best against the odds. St Laurences tacked on four points in a row to pull clear. Despite this Kildangan never gave up, with Tommy Donaher, John Gargan, Cameron Kavanagh and Ross Kenny now on the field. St Laurences finished off the scoring with a goal to put the final nail in the Kildangan coffin. This left the full time score St Laurences 4-6 Kildangan 1-2.
Despite today not being our day, its been a memorable journey this year for the team and mentors. The Championship campaign has had several highlights with the come-from-behind win in the first round against Moorefield and the Semi Final win against Monasterevin definitely being some of them. There were many red eyes in the dressing room after the game, something that took the mentors a little by surprise. It was a shame we couldn't finish the journey for this team with a county title but we're very proud to have reached the decider. It been a journey from U9 for the mentors with this team also, and we reminded them despite many concluding their underage football on a "Kildangan Only" team they would always be "Green and Gold". Tears were turned to smiles again when we made our way to Junction 14 for some food organised by Liam.
Stay tuned to Facebook and Instagram for some great photos of the day from Rory.
30-11-24
St Laurences 4-6 Kildangan 1-2
The last time Kildangan U12's reached a County Final the bulk of this team had barely started primary school so it was with a sense of novelty mixed with great excitement and expectation, we approached this county final. Kildangan social media was ablaze with player profiles, team news and photos of flags and bunting that added to the sense of occasion. The Kildangan team arrived early for the game looking the part in their new tops sponsored by Pauline Stynes. The occasion was added to further when David Law led the team onto the field with pipes.
We knew the weather wasn't going to be very kind at this time of year and so it proved, and to say that the pitch was challenging for both teams would be an understatement. Our opposition were strong favourites going into the game, as we were well aware they had put up big scores against all comers leading into the final. We made the decision to play with the wind in the first half if we won the toss, and so it transpired. Kildangan were dealt a blow in the lead up to the game with goalkeeper Aidan Casey ruled out with injury, forcing us to use our stylish defender Daragh Coughlan in goals as we had against Monasterevin in the semi-final.
The first half began with Kildangan on the front foot, and almost straight from the throw in Jack Fitzpatrick soloed through the middle and despite desperate attempts to dispossess him he buried a shot in the top left to give Kildangan a dream start. Kildangan looked strong in the opening minutes with Niamh Gleeson, Sophie Stynes and Oscar Law getting on a lot of ball. Oisin McWey and Senan O'Tuama were a constant threat up front for Kildanagn. Kildangan fell foul to the referees whistle continuously in the opening 10 minutes, much of it for over carrying the ball, decisions which seemed to be of the harsh variety. St Laurences looked dangerous when they attacked and had the Kildangan backline scrambling on several occasions. St Laurences opened their own account with a point about 5 minutes in. They followed up with a goal to put them ahead after hesitation in the Kildangan backline. Despite the best efforts of Daragh Coughlan in goal, Seamie Fitzpatrick and Abigal Fenlon, St Laurences added a second goal minutes later to put them four points ahead. Kildangan made several switches at this point with Annabelle Torpey and Jake Curran switching positions. Sam Worrell, Eva Rose Connell and Sophie Murray were introduced from the bench. Jack Fitzpatrick a good point from a free to pull a point back for Kildangan to make it a three point game. Several other frees went astray for Kildangan as the swirling wind played havoc for free takers. Casey McEvoy MacCullagh got off the mark for Kildangan to bring the score back to a two point gap. With half time just upon us St Laurences got a point to leave the half time score St Laurences 2-2 Kildangan 1-2.
Knowing that St Laurences had the wind for the second half it was essential Kildangan hit the ground running which they did. Kildangan dominated the early exchanges of the second half with Julianne Moore, Alice Mahon and Sean Casey very prominent. The swirling wind was playing havoc however and we couldn't add to our scoring tally. St Laurences broke the Kildangan siege eventually and added a goal on their first real attack to break Kildangan hearts. Kildangan fought bravely into a growing wind with Josh O Rourke and Jack Ryan doing their best against the odds. St Laurences tacked on four points in a row to pull clear. Despite this Kildangan never gave up, with Tommy Donaher, John Gargan, Cameron Kavanagh and Ross Kenny now on the field. St Laurences finished off the scoring with a goal to put the final nail in the Kildangan coffin. This left the full time score St Laurences 4-6 Kildangan 1-2.
Despite today not being our day, its been a memorable journey this year for the team and mentors. The Championship campaign has had several highlights with the come-from-behind win in the first round against Moorefield and the Semi Final win against Monasterevin definitely being some of them. There were many red eyes in the dressing room after the game, something that took the mentors a little by surprise. It was a shame we couldn't finish the journey for this team with a county title but we're very proud to have reached the decider. It been a journey from U9 for the mentors with this team also, and we reminded them despite many concluding their underage football on a "Kildangan Only" team they would always be "Green and Gold". Tears were turned to smiles again when we made our way to Junction 14 for some food organised by Liam.
Stay tuned to Facebook and Instagram for some great photos of the day from Rory.
How many future Kildare players will come from this table?
