SFL Div.4
Phase 2 - Top Four
7-6-26
Kildangan 2-12 Suncroft 1-16
Played in a constant downpour at More O'Ferrall Park on Sunday evening, a big second half display from our senior team fell just short in an enthralling battle against Intermediate side Suncroft.
In greasy conditions, Suncroft were first off the mark five minutes in with a neat point from play. Kildangan answered immediately when a ball worked down the left wing found Joey Walsh on the edge of the "D" to bring the sides level. Kildangan took the lead minutes later when Mark O'Donavan knocked over a free with his right boot. Any score Kildangan got in the opening half would be important as Suncroft had the elements at their backs. Kildangan were busy at the back with Alan Donaher and Killian Scully showing well to keep the lively Suncroft forwards under wraps. Suncroft's Intermediate pedigree began to tell and they converted any chance that came their way. First a free drew the sides level before Suncroft hit four points from play on the trot to stretch themselves into a 0-6 to 0-2 lead as half-time approached. A score for Kildangan before half-time was essential to narrow the gap and it came from a Mark O Donavan free after a foul on Devan Abbey. The sides could even have gone in level at half-time as a goal chance from Joey Walsh found the side netting. This left the half-time score Kildangan 0-3 Suncroft 0-6.
Unfortunately for Kildangan the wind eased off somewhat for the second half, and when Suncroft opened the second half scoring with a free it was all-to-do for the hosts. Undeterred, a Mark O'Donavan free and a Devan Abbey point from play cut the deficit to two points. A further Suncroft free was followed by a goal to leave Suncroft with a six point lead midway through the half. An inspirational two pointed free from Mark O'Donavan signalled Kildangan hadn't given up on this. Two further Suncroft points had the gap back out to six again. In the greasy conditions a goal would be required to get Kildangan back into the game and it came on the double as Devan Abbey hit the net twice in the space of five minutes. Firstly after a through ball from Mark O'Donavan and secondly after some high fielding from Daragh Murphy. Suncroft answered with a point to regain the lead momentarily. Kildangan now had their tails up however, and with Cormac Finnegan anchoring the middle, ably assisted by Luke McKenna, Paddy Neary and Cian Reilly, Kildangan began to get the upper hand. Mark O'Donavan hit a two pointed free to regain the lead for Kildangan for the first time since the opening minutes. Bryan Adams and Cole Grattan were sprung from the bench for Kildangan with Grattan having an immediate impact placing a pass to Mark O'Donavan to extend the Kildangan lead to two (2-10 to 1-11). A free from Mark O'Donavan was slotted between the posts after Cormac Finnegan was hauled down. With five minutes remaining, Devan Abbey extended the Kildangan lead to four points after a pass from Cole Grattan. There looked to be only one winner from here but Suncroft trimmed the lead with a two pointer when they needed it most. Kildangan were hit with another sucker punch two pointer as the game ticked into injury time. With the momentum now with Suncroft they won the resultant kick out and finished with a close range point to take the two league points home. This left the full time score Kildangan 2-12 Suncroft 1-16.
The disappointment for the Kildangan players and management was obvious. For the second time in recent weeks we were hit with two two-pointers in the closing minutes to have victory snatched away. The commitment of the players cant be doubted and these games are providing excellent preparation for the Junior Championship ahead. We have one remaining league game to play against Monasterevin in the coming weeks which should be another highly competitive encounter. Watch our social media pages for a time and date.
Phase 2 - Top Four
7-6-26
Kildangan 2-12 Suncroft 1-16
Played in a constant downpour at More O'Ferrall Park on Sunday evening, a big second half display from our senior team fell just short in an enthralling battle against Intermediate side Suncroft.
In greasy conditions, Suncroft were first off the mark five minutes in with a neat point from play. Kildangan answered immediately when a ball worked down the left wing found Joey Walsh on the edge of the "D" to bring the sides level. Kildangan took the lead minutes later when Mark O'Donavan knocked over a free with his right boot. Any score Kildangan got in the opening half would be important as Suncroft had the elements at their backs. Kildangan were busy at the back with Alan Donaher and Killian Scully showing well to keep the lively Suncroft forwards under wraps. Suncroft's Intermediate pedigree began to tell and they converted any chance that came their way. First a free drew the sides level before Suncroft hit four points from play on the trot to stretch themselves into a 0-6 to 0-2 lead as half-time approached. A score for Kildangan before half-time was essential to narrow the gap and it came from a Mark O Donavan free after a foul on Devan Abbey. The sides could even have gone in level at half-time as a goal chance from Joey Walsh found the side netting. This left the half-time score Kildangan 0-3 Suncroft 0-6.
Unfortunately for Kildangan the wind eased off somewhat for the second half, and when Suncroft opened the second half scoring with a free it was all-to-do for the hosts. Undeterred, a Mark O'Donavan free and a Devan Abbey point from play cut the deficit to two points. A further Suncroft free was followed by a goal to leave Suncroft with a six point lead midway through the half. An inspirational two pointed free from Mark O'Donavan signalled Kildangan hadn't given up on this. Two further Suncroft points had the gap back out to six again. In the greasy conditions a goal would be required to get Kildangan back into the game and it came on the double as Devan Abbey hit the net twice in the space of five minutes. Firstly after a through ball from Mark O'Donavan and secondly after some high fielding from Daragh Murphy. Suncroft answered with a point to regain the lead momentarily. Kildangan now had their tails up however, and with Cormac Finnegan anchoring the middle, ably assisted by Luke McKenna, Paddy Neary and Cian Reilly, Kildangan began to get the upper hand. Mark O'Donavan hit a two pointed free to regain the lead for Kildangan for the first time since the opening minutes. Bryan Adams and Cole Grattan were sprung from the bench for Kildangan with Grattan having an immediate impact placing a pass to Mark O'Donavan to extend the Kildangan lead to two (2-10 to 1-11). A free from Mark O'Donavan was slotted between the posts after Cormac Finnegan was hauled down. With five minutes remaining, Devan Abbey extended the Kildangan lead to four points after a pass from Cole Grattan. There looked to be only one winner from here but Suncroft trimmed the lead with a two pointer when they needed it most. Kildangan were hit with another sucker punch two pointer as the game ticked into injury time. With the momentum now with Suncroft they won the resultant kick out and finished with a close range point to take the two league points home. This left the full time score Kildangan 2-12 Suncroft 1-16.
The disappointment for the Kildangan players and management was obvious. For the second time in recent weeks we were hit with two two-pointers in the closing minutes to have victory snatched away. The commitment of the players cant be doubted and these games are providing excellent preparation for the Junior Championship ahead. We have one remaining league game to play against Monasterevin in the coming weeks which should be another highly competitive encounter. Watch our social media pages for a time and date.
