Dowling Cup Semi-Final
28-02-26
Kildangan 1-13 Athgarvan 1-14
Our senior team were just edged out by a single point in the Dowling Cup semi-final today in More O Ferrall Park despite turning in a very credible performance. Going into the game, Athgarvan would have been strong favourites, playing their football in Division 3 and among the favourites for the Junior Championship, they easily dispatched Kildangan in the same competition last year. This however was to prove to be a very tight encounter.
The first half began with Athgarvan, playing against the breeze, on the front foot and after a couple of near misses they took the lead with an early score. Adam Balmer in goals brought off a miraculous triple save to keep Kildangan in the game shortly after. Kildangan hit back with a point of our own by Devon Abbey after he linked up with Killian Reilly. Defences were well on top at both ends, however Athgarvan took the lead when a move out of the Kildangan defence broke down and a point was conceded to put Athgarvan ahead. The game opened up mid way through the half with Kildangan finding the key to unlock the Athgarvan defence when Ryan Moran found the net to give Kildangan a two point lead. This signalled Kildangan's best phase of the game, taking a stranglehold at midfield through Aaron Schofield and Killian Reilly. Points followed from Mark O Donavan (2), a free and from play, and two from Bryan Adams giving Kildangan a six point lead. Athgarvan hit back with a point after a point blank shot was saved by Adam Balmer in the Kildangan goals and was deflected over. Two further points from Luke McKenna and Mark O Donavan for Kildangan were answered with two points for Athgarvan to leave the half-time score Kildangan 1-7 Athgarvan 0-5.
Athgarvan signalled their intentions early in the second half with the breeze at their backs, and landed a two pointer early on. Aaron Schofield settled Kildangan with a fine point. He followed up by knocking the kick out down to Paddy Neary, who set up Cian Reilly for a nice point from play for Kildangan. Athgarvan hit a purple patch of their own in the next ten minutes, scoring 1-4 without reply to take a two point lead midway through the half. Kildangan dug in however with Alan Donaher and Daragh Murphy prominent and answered with points from Mark O Donavan (free) and a Cian Reilly (free) after being fouled off the ball. This brought the sides level. Athgarvan pushed one point ahead again but Kildangan answered in a gutsy fashion with two more points from play from Devon Abbey and Aaron Schofield. Athgarvan showing their experience hit back in the closing minutes to draw level after a shot for a point dropped short. With both sides pushing for the win, it was Athgarvan who got the crucial point. The final whistle sounded soon after to put them into the Dowling Cup Final next weekend. This left the final score Kildangan 1-13 Athgarvan 1-14.
The Kildangan team will be bitterly disappointed to have lost such a tight encounter. They should be pleased with the progress being shown however, taking two Div. 3 teams down the home stretch two weeks in a row with young players stepping up all over the field. Good to see Thomas Browne back today and with several more players on the way back from injury, the upcoming league campaign can be approached with confidence.
28-02-26
Kildangan 1-13 Athgarvan 1-14
Our senior team were just edged out by a single point in the Dowling Cup semi-final today in More O Ferrall Park despite turning in a very credible performance. Going into the game, Athgarvan would have been strong favourites, playing their football in Division 3 and among the favourites for the Junior Championship, they easily dispatched Kildangan in the same competition last year. This however was to prove to be a very tight encounter.
The first half began with Athgarvan, playing against the breeze, on the front foot and after a couple of near misses they took the lead with an early score. Adam Balmer in goals brought off a miraculous triple save to keep Kildangan in the game shortly after. Kildangan hit back with a point of our own by Devon Abbey after he linked up with Killian Reilly. Defences were well on top at both ends, however Athgarvan took the lead when a move out of the Kildangan defence broke down and a point was conceded to put Athgarvan ahead. The game opened up mid way through the half with Kildangan finding the key to unlock the Athgarvan defence when Ryan Moran found the net to give Kildangan a two point lead. This signalled Kildangan's best phase of the game, taking a stranglehold at midfield through Aaron Schofield and Killian Reilly. Points followed from Mark O Donavan (2), a free and from play, and two from Bryan Adams giving Kildangan a six point lead. Athgarvan hit back with a point after a point blank shot was saved by Adam Balmer in the Kildangan goals and was deflected over. Two further points from Luke McKenna and Mark O Donavan for Kildangan were answered with two points for Athgarvan to leave the half-time score Kildangan 1-7 Athgarvan 0-5.
Athgarvan signalled their intentions early in the second half with the breeze at their backs, and landed a two pointer early on. Aaron Schofield settled Kildangan with a fine point. He followed up by knocking the kick out down to Paddy Neary, who set up Cian Reilly for a nice point from play for Kildangan. Athgarvan hit a purple patch of their own in the next ten minutes, scoring 1-4 without reply to take a two point lead midway through the half. Kildangan dug in however with Alan Donaher and Daragh Murphy prominent and answered with points from Mark O Donavan (free) and a Cian Reilly (free) after being fouled off the ball. This brought the sides level. Athgarvan pushed one point ahead again but Kildangan answered in a gutsy fashion with two more points from play from Devon Abbey and Aaron Schofield. Athgarvan showing their experience hit back in the closing minutes to draw level after a shot for a point dropped short. With both sides pushing for the win, it was Athgarvan who got the crucial point. The final whistle sounded soon after to put them into the Dowling Cup Final next weekend. This left the final score Kildangan 1-13 Athgarvan 1-14.
The Kildangan team will be bitterly disappointed to have lost such a tight encounter. They should be pleased with the progress being shown however, taking two Div. 3 teams down the home stretch two weeks in a row with young players stepping up all over the field. Good to see Thomas Browne back today and with several more players on the way back from injury, the upcoming league campaign can be approached with confidence.
