Our senior team turned in an excellent display against Div.3 side St Kevin's today in a greasy More O Ferrall Park, coming out with a one point win in a highly competitive encounter.
St Kevins started the game the brighter playing a fast and slick brand of football and had several goal chances in the opening minutes. Our goal remained intact in no small part to excellent play from Kevin Christie at full back. Kildangan slowly grew into the pace of the game and as in previous games were clearly holding there own in the middle of the field. Kildangan's first real opportunity for a goal of our own landed at the feet of Cian Reilly who sent a good shot narrowly wide. Scoring opportunities were at a premium, however St Kevin's eventually opened the scoring on 15 minutes from a free. Mark O Donavan opened the Kildangan account with a free of our own to draw the sides level. Cian Reilly put Kildangan ahead after a good catch from Eanna Sherlock in the middle of the field. Kildangan began to take a grip on the game with the returning Robert McGrath having a big influence at midfield. A shot from Luke McKenna came back of the crossbar and was palmed to the net by Devon Abbey for a Kildangan goal to put some daylight between the teams for the first time. Kildangan's tails were up at this point and a high catch by Eanna Sherlock from a St Kevins kick out resulted in the same player cutting up the middle to put over what was probably the point of the day. Mark O Donavan converted a free for Kildangan followed by a point from play by Devon Abbey to put Kildangan seven points ahead approaching halftime. St Kevin's had the last score of the half with a pointed free to leave the halftime score Kildangan 1-5 St Kevin's 0-2.
It was clear St Kevin's were stung with the strong performance from Kildangan in the opening half and they began the second half with intent, scoring a point right from the throw-in. Moments later they were awarded a penalty which was converted and they followed up with another goal shortly after. This left Kildangan's six point lead at half time wiped out and leaving us a point down in five second half minutes. It called for leaders on the Kildangan team to stand up. Aaron Schofield, Ryan Moran and Alan Donaher answered the call and stepped up with big displays. Kildangan drew level with a point from play as Devon Abbey was sent through the middle after a clever flick from Cian Reilly. St Kevin's were now a constant threat having found a way back into the game. John Kelly was forced into a goal line block to keep Kildangan in the game. The game was now end to end stuff with Paddy Neary and Cole Grattan keeping Kildangan on the front foot. Devon Abbey put Kildangan ahead from play after good set up play from Killian Reilly and Cormac Finnegan. Cian Reilly put Kildangan two up from a free after a foul on Mark O Donavan. St Kevin's hadn't scored for 15 minutes and in the conditions a two point lead looked like it would be enough to see Kildangan home. That was until St Kevin's were awarded a free 50m out which was put over for a two pointer to draw the sided level with time almost up. Just as the game looked like it was going to extra time, there was still time for late drama as a foul on Robert McGrath gave Mark O Donavan the opportunity to seal the win for Kildangan, which he duly converted to leave the final score Kildangan 1-9 St Kevin's 2-5.
Thiswill be a pleasing performance for the team against a side from a division above ourselves. It was close to a 60 minute performance but for the lapse just after half time. Adam Balmer's booming kick outs were no doubt an asset for the team today also and it was great to have Robert McGrath in the middle, back on a flying visit. The team are out next weekend in what looks like a home semi final against either Ardclough or Athgarvan. Lets get out and support the lads next weekend and make a home semi final count.
Cole, Cormac and Devon who made there senior debuts in recent weeks. Great to see Robert back in a Kildangan jersey.
