Feature game

KDFL Senior Division 

Six goal thriller at Snigs Brogan Park 

Newbridge Hotspurs FC 3 Clonmullion FC 3.

A very windy Snigs Brogan Park was the setting for this early morning clash which yielded 2 goals in the first 4 minutes The game started quickly and it was Clonmullion that drew first blood on the 2nd minute when following a free kick cross it was met by Ceilum Maher who got on the end of it to beat the Hotspurs keeper to make it 1-0. Hotspurs responded well however to going a goal down and on the 4th minute got their equaliser. It came via quick thinking throw in from Robbie Higgins who found Eoin McGrath, McGrath got past the Clonmullion left back and whipped in a dangerous cross for it to be headed into his own goal by the Clonmullion defender. The game ebbed and flowed for the next ten minutes but it was Clonmullion who almost made it 2-1 when a fantastic strike on the half volley hit the crossbar. On the 20th minute, Eoin McGrath nearly scored when his shot from just inside the box was well saved by the Clonmullion keeper at the near post. Just one minute later a fantastic corner by Scott O’Donoghue was met by the head of Shane Higgins whom headed just over the bar. Hotspurs continued to threaten when Eoin McGrath shot just over the bar on the 25th minute. Hotspurs got a deserved second goal on the 28th minute when a fantastic pass from Scott O’Donoghue found Niall Flynn, Flynn with plenty of work still left to do rounded the keeper and slotted home to make it 2-1. However, the lead lasted only two mins. Clonmullion equalised and it came via a set piece again crossed in at the near post by Lee Day, and it was all square again. On the 40th minutes Hotspurs nearly scored again when an Eamon Doyle free kick went just wide. The game however remained 2-2 going into half time.

Hotspurs made two changes at half time when Eoin Walsh and Tommy Walsh entered the fray. On the 46th minute, Eoin Walsh went close when his shot went wide of the post. The sides remained level until the 65th minute when great interplay between Chris Chanders and Ceilum Maher saw the latter dummy the ball to Cody Mulhall who made no mistake from close range. It was all square again ten minutes later when Niall Flynn hit a powerful shot from just inside the box which Gratton could only parry and the in rushing Michael Murphy made it 3 all. The last fifteen minutes saw both sides create half chances but in the end the blustery conditions was never going to allow for a free flowing game and ended in a stalemate. 

Best for Hotspurs were Robbie Higgins, Shane Higgins, Eoin McGrath and Hotspurs man of the match Mikey Murphy. Best for Clonmullion were keeper Evan Grattan and Chris Chanders.