SFL Div.4
Round 6
6-5-26
Castlemitchell 0-13 Kildangan 1-10
Kildangan came from behind to snatch a memorable draw against Castlemitchell in this re-fixed encounter under lights last night in Castlemitchell. In what was a do or die fixture for both teams who were fighting it out for what would probably be the last spot in the top four for the second phase of the league. The game was played at Championship pace at times and the lead ebbed and flowed with the result right in the balance up until the final whistle.
With James Harris released back from Kildare duty and available to Castlemitchell, they started on the front foot and went ahead from the throw in, when a move through the middle of the Kildangan defence finished with a shot for goal superbly saved by Adam Balmer and the rebound blazed over for a point. Castlemitchell followed up with a two pointer and then added two more points in the opening 15 minutes to give themselves a five point lead. Kildangan had plenty of possession in this period but just couldn't break through a massed Castlemitchell defence. Kildangan changed tack midway through the half and began to run at pace at the Castlemitchell defence which yielded dividends. First Cian Reilly knocked over a free after a foul on Mark O Donavan, and then Devan Abbey got in for a point after going straight through the middle of the Castlemitchell defence at pace. Castlemitchell answered with points on the break to regain 0-7 to 0-2 lead. Kildangan now knew they had to keep running and early at the massed Castlemitchell defence and Devan Abbey showed leadership by taking on the Castlemitchell defence again and knocking over a point to narrow the gap. Cian Reilly hit another point from a free to narrow the gap back to a manageable three points. Just on the stroke of half-time, Devan Abbey was hauled down in the Castlemitchell square to give Mark O'Donavan a chance from the spot which he duly converted, sending the keeper the wrong way to leave the half-time score Castlemitchell 0-7 Kildangan 1-4.
Castlemitchell started the second half strongly playing down the hill and had a point on the board early on to go one ahead. Kildangan showed they were in for the "long haul" and weren't going away, as Cian Reilly sent over a point from play from the right corner. Kildangan then hit a purple patch as Ryan Moran hit a brace of tidy points from play after winning the ball in front and turning his man. A Cian Reilly free and a Devan Abbey point from play stretched Kildangans lead to four with 15 minutes remaining. Castlemitchell were always going to come back, and did, as they hit two points to narrow the gap to two. Kildangans defence were holding firm with John Kelly particularly prominent in the full back line. This meant Castlemitchell were shooting from distance, and one of those long range kicks landed for a two pointer, to draw the game level. Castlemitchell now had their tails up and were pushing home their advantage. They went ahead with five minutes left with a point from play. It was now all hands to the pump for Kildangan as they tried to work the ball up the field for one shooting chance. Balls were lost and regained in the greasy conditions as Kildangan tried to work that one chance, and it came deep into stoppage time, when Cian Reilly broke a tackle and took the responsibility to shoot and sent over a point from 40m off the left to draw the game level. The final whistle sounded on the kick out to leave the final score Castlemitchell 0-13 Kildangan 1-10.
The draw meant Kildangan had finished any chance Castlemitchell had of finishing in the top four ahead of ourselves. It was a gusty performance from Kildangan as a team, but it also must be acknowledged several players stood up as individuals at critical times in the game. Devan Abbey and Ryan Moran took responsibility at times when scores were badly needed. John Kelly, Luke McKenna and Killian Reilly had massive games at the back for Kildangan. Cian Reilly and Aaron Schofield mixed it, and gave as good as they got against county panelists at midfield. Joey Walsh and Mark O'Donavan linked the backs and forwards to great effect all through. This sets Kildangan up for a final group game against Monasterevin on Friday evening in More O'Ferrall Park. One not to be missed, come early and wear your colours!
Round 6
6-5-26
Castlemitchell 0-13 Kildangan 1-10
Kildangan came from behind to snatch a memorable draw against Castlemitchell in this re-fixed encounter under lights last night in Castlemitchell. In what was a do or die fixture for both teams who were fighting it out for what would probably be the last spot in the top four for the second phase of the league. The game was played at Championship pace at times and the lead ebbed and flowed with the result right in the balance up until the final whistle.
With James Harris released back from Kildare duty and available to Castlemitchell, they started on the front foot and went ahead from the throw in, when a move through the middle of the Kildangan defence finished with a shot for goal superbly saved by Adam Balmer and the rebound blazed over for a point. Castlemitchell followed up with a two pointer and then added two more points in the opening 15 minutes to give themselves a five point lead. Kildangan had plenty of possession in this period but just couldn't break through a massed Castlemitchell defence. Kildangan changed tack midway through the half and began to run at pace at the Castlemitchell defence which yielded dividends. First Cian Reilly knocked over a free after a foul on Mark O Donavan, and then Devan Abbey got in for a point after going straight through the middle of the Castlemitchell defence at pace. Castlemitchell answered with points on the break to regain 0-7 to 0-2 lead. Kildangan now knew they had to keep running and early at the massed Castlemitchell defence and Devan Abbey showed leadership by taking on the Castlemitchell defence again and knocking over a point to narrow the gap. Cian Reilly hit another point from a free to narrow the gap back to a manageable three points. Just on the stroke of half-time, Devan Abbey was hauled down in the Castlemitchell square to give Mark O'Donavan a chance from the spot which he duly converted, sending the keeper the wrong way to leave the half-time score Castlemitchell 0-7 Kildangan 1-4.
Castlemitchell started the second half strongly playing down the hill and had a point on the board early on to go one ahead. Kildangan showed they were in for the "long haul" and weren't going away, as Cian Reilly sent over a point from play from the right corner. Kildangan then hit a purple patch as Ryan Moran hit a brace of tidy points from play after winning the ball in front and turning his man. A Cian Reilly free and a Devan Abbey point from play stretched Kildangans lead to four with 15 minutes remaining. Castlemitchell were always going to come back, and did, as they hit two points to narrow the gap to two. Kildangans defence were holding firm with John Kelly particularly prominent in the full back line. This meant Castlemitchell were shooting from distance, and one of those long range kicks landed for a two pointer, to draw the game level. Castlemitchell now had their tails up and were pushing home their advantage. They went ahead with five minutes left with a point from play. It was now all hands to the pump for Kildangan as they tried to work the ball up the field for one shooting chance. Balls were lost and regained in the greasy conditions as Kildangan tried to work that one chance, and it came deep into stoppage time, when Cian Reilly broke a tackle and took the responsibility to shoot and sent over a point from 40m off the left to draw the game level. The final whistle sounded on the kick out to leave the final score Castlemitchell 0-13 Kildangan 1-10.
The draw meant Kildangan had finished any chance Castlemitchell had of finishing in the top four ahead of ourselves. It was a gusty performance from Kildangan as a team, but it also must be acknowledged several players stood up as individuals at critical times in the game. Devan Abbey and Ryan Moran took responsibility at times when scores were badly needed. John Kelly, Luke McKenna and Killian Reilly had massive games at the back for Kildangan. Cian Reilly and Aaron Schofield mixed it, and gave as good as they got against county panelists at midfield. Joey Walsh and Mark O'Donavan linked the backs and forwards to great effect all through. This sets Kildangan up for a final group game against Monasterevin on Friday evening in More O'Ferrall Park. One not to be missed, come early and wear your colours!
