On Friday evening Kildangan made the long and windy trip up to Cappagh for Round 5 in the Hanlon Concrete Ltd. Senior Football League Division 4. With Cappagh sitting at the top end of the table and battling for promotion, Kildangan were in for a tough game.

Cappagh opened proceedings with the first point of the game but Kildangan quickly responded with a Cian Reilly point. The same trading of points reoccurred between Cappagh and Cian Reilly and the scores sat level at 0.02 - 0.02 after 5 minutes. In the following five minutes Cappagh took control and scored 1.03 without reply, or so they thought. An excellent two-pointer from play by Cian Reilly and a rocket of a goal by the same man again showed Kildangan’s grit and determination. Kildangan were not going to roll over easily. Two points from play by Mark O’Donovan pushed Kildangan ahead for the first time in the game before Cappagh levelled the scores yet again. Kildangan pushed on and Mark O’Donovan really got back into rhythm after returning from injury as he scored a 2-pointer and assisted Cian Murtagh for a goal (thanks to some excellent play from wandering full back Adam Balmer). Eanna Sherlock put Kildangan six points ahead with his first score of the game. Conor Corrigan showed his Kerry blood, picking up ball left, right & centre and distributing some excellent passes and assists, he has proved he is back in flying form. Some excellent fielding by Killian Reilly during this period showed he is ready for the step up to senior level whilst Alex McCann, Luke McKenna and Adam Balmer had the defence on lock down. 3 points from Cappagh before half time saw Kildangan go into the break with a 3 point advantage.

Half Time Score:

Kildangan 2.09 - 1.09 Cappagh

Cappagh came out from half-time all guns blazing. They scored the opening 3 points of the half and turned Kildangan’s 3 point advantage into a 3 point trail. The next ten minutes of play saw Kildangan defend excellently. Some great defending from Alex McCann and Eanna Sherlock from midfield helped Kildangan hold the league contenders at bay. An excellent save from Sean Fitzgearld kept Kildangan within reach and a superbly taken point from Cian Reilly ended the drought for a score with the teams now just 2 points apart. However, Cappagh’s experience at this level showed in the later stages of the game and despite a late point from Cian Reilly, Cappagh saw the game out as winners.

All in all, it was a promising performance for Kildangan to prove they can compete with big competition like Cappagh. The performance from some of our younger players would fill you with confidence for the future of Kildangan at this level. With a special mention having to go to Killian Reilly who, at just 17 years, old proved he is one to watch for the future.

Man of the match: Cian Reilly: Cian kicked 1.06 (1.04 from play) and kept Kildangan right in the game for large periods. Honourable mentions to Mark O’Donovan who scored 4 points from play and Conor Corrigan who set up several attacks.

Kildangan Team; Sean Fitzgearld, Alex McCann, Adam Balmer, Joe Broughall, Killian Scully, Eoghan O’Fearghaill, Luke McKenna, Killian Reilly, Eanna Sherlock (0.01), Mark O’Donovan (0.04), Joey Walsh, Oisin Irvin, Cian Murtagh (1.00), Conor Corrigan, Cian Reilly (1.06 2F). Subs; Oisin Hyland, Liam Keogh, John Kelly, Sean Behan.