KDFL Under 20 Division 2
Kilcullen AFC 4 Derry Rovers FC 0
Both teams arrived in good form with some decent recent results into this keenly anticipated KDFL Under 20 Div 2 game played on a perfect playing area on the Kilcullen Community Astro pitch. First game of the year for both teams who hadn’t faced each other yet this season and a close game was anticipated.
Kilcullen started well, playing some good possession football with the Kilcullen back three of Adam Lavin, Stephen Rooney and Jack Jordan commanding the back line and carrying the ball up field and controlling the game allowing others further up the pitch to get into the game. Both Max Gaynor and Marcos Doyle on each wing supported the ever - willing Darragh Coughlan and ran at the Derry Rovers defence from the start.
Kilcullen took the lead on ten minutes when Darragh Coughlan broke into the box, turned and shot past the Derry Rovers keeper. Kilcullen went two nil up when a smart Ben Haslam through ball to Ryan Dunne who arrived into the box to slot the ball away on twenty five minutes. Kilcullen continued to dominate the ball and went three nil up on thirty three minutes when a quick play of the ball from Kilcullen Keeper Shane Lawlor allowed a swift counter attack with Ryan Dunne, Marcos Doyle and Darragh Coughlan squaring the ball for Max Gaynor to score. The first half finished 3 – 0 to the home side.
Derry Rovers started the second half very well and pressed to get back into the game with Derry Rovers midfield led by the impressive Charlie COnnell who worked tireless to get a foothold on the game and the Derry Rovers centre forward who worked and chased constantly alone up front. Kilcullen fourth and final was delivered on sixty five minutes as the ever improving Luke Keenan met a Cathal Furlong corner with a bullet header into the top corner. Kilcullen emptied their bench and all substitutes contributed particularly Conor Rooney, Luke Boland and Tadgh Walsh but it would fair to say the numbers game caught up with a depleted Derry Rovers who were short on numbers but not spirit on the day. Christmas festivities caught up with both teams for the final twenty minutes and game and it finished 4 nil to Kilcullen. Best for Kilcullen, Adam Lavin, Stephen Rooney and Cathal Furlong but Marcos Doyle showed his class today, with his quick feet, pace and decision making. Best for the visitors were Charlie Connell TJ Dunne Coner Quinn and Tim Mullally.