With much anticipation ahead of Saturday’s game, there was an heir of excitement for Kildangan’s first game out of the reserve league’s. Rathcoffey were no easy opponent as defending Junior A champions. Kildangan have been training hard both on and off the pitch and were full of confidence after winning a reserve championship in 2024 and reaching the u23 final.

Rathcoffey opened proceedings with the first score of the game but Kildangan’s former county minor, Mark O’Donovan was quick to respond to bring the scores level. Rathcoffey showed their quality scoring 1.01 and pushing them 4 points ahead early in the first half. Points from Eanna Sherlock and Cian Reilly brought the scores closer but a Rathcoffey point pushed them a goal ahead. 17 minutes into the first half a touch of class by Cian Reilly brought the scores back level after he dummied the ball around the Rathcoffey goalkeeper to rattle the net for a Kildangan goal. A magnificent point by Sean Behan saw Kildangan take the lead for the first time in the game. Rathcoffey levelled the game once again and after the awarding of a penalty to Rathcoffey, the Kildangan support seemed somewhat nervous. But Sean Fitzgearld didn’t feel the nerves, saving a penalty right in the bottom corner at a crucial stage of the game. Rathcoffey scored a point from the subsequent 45 and took the lead once again. Some excellent defending by Eoghan O’Fearghaill and Joe Broughall kept the Kildangan within in reach. Just before half time the ball fell at Alan Donoher’s feet just in front of goal and he pulled on it to get Kildangan their second goal of the game. Cian Reilly slotted over a free before the referee’s half time whistle and Kildangan went into the break ahead by 3 points.

Half Time Score:

Kildangan 2.05 - 1.05 Rathcoffey

Rathcoffey scored the opening 3 points of the half and at this stage it was anyone’s game. This stage of the game saw Kildangan put on an excellent display of defending. In his first ever senior game, Alex Conroy looked like no stranger to senior football as he won balls in the air and intercepted passes left, right & centre. Thomas Browne had his work cut out for him but he performed excellently in defence, after all I’m sure he faced much worse in the Lebanon than the players from Rathcoffey. Aaron Schofield won some key battles around the middle in his first senior game. Another man playing his first ever senior game, Darragh Murphy put the Kildangan men ahead by one as he put the ball over the bar, clipping off the post along the way. Mark O’Donovan got a vital score for Kildangan to push the sides two points apart. A phenomenal save by yet another senior team newcomer, Killian Reilly, kept Rathcoffey from going one point ahead. Mark O’Donovan slotted over the final 2 points of the game, seeing out the victory for Kildangan in Round 1 of the Dowling Cup.

Full Time Score:

Kildangan 2.09 - 1.09 Rathcoffey

It’s a great result for Kildangan and really laid down a marker that we are ready for Senior football. Kildangan’s next game comes against Athgarvan in the Dowling Cup Quarter Final (Venue, date & time TBC).

Man of the match: Mark O’Donovan; scoring 4 points from play during the game and sealing the victory for Kildangan with our last 3 scores he has proven we can call on him time and time again.

Moment of the match: Killian Reilly’s last minute save to stop Rathcoffey going a point ahead. And to make it even more special it was his senior team debut. (Honourable mentions: Sean Fitzgearld’s penalty save & Cian Reilly’s spectacular goal).

Photos available on Kildangan GAA Instagram & TikTok