Feature Game

Ace Sports Awards Masters Shield (Semi Final)

Newbridge Town AFC 7 3 Raharney United FC

Newbridge Town Masters advanced to the Final of the Ace Sports Awards Masters Shield Final for the second year in succession following an emphatic victory over KDFL newbies Raharney United FC at Station road on Saturday. Raharney came into the game in good form following their recent victories over Leixlip United and Ballycane in recent weeks and would have fancied their changes over newly crowned Division one champions Newbridge Town. However, ‘The town had other ideas and despite going a man down in the first half, they came out victorious on a scoreline of 7-3 to advance to the Final where they will take on Rathangan AFC.

Things didn’t go all the home side’s way however, as early in the first half they found themselves a man down when influential player Keith O’Riordan was sent off. This setback didn’t faze Newbridge as they regrouped seamlessly. Ten minutes later they got the opener with a well taken goal from Gary Connolly to put then 1-0 up, following a good assist from Dave O Riordan. The Westmeath men were not to be outdone and two minutes later they equalised through Rory Dunne after a Newbridge defensive slip up, and it was all square again. 

Newbridge assumed control of the game with two quick goals by dangerman Milton Benitez, the first followed some lovely passing from Dave O Riordan to Paul Loughlin who whipped in a lovely cross and met by the head of Milton to put Newbridge 2-1 up, and shortly after he scored again as the half came to a close, leaving Newbridge going into the break with a comfortable 3-1 lead. 

Raharney came out in the second half with purpose and put the minimum between the sides when they were awarded a penalty and Jason McGrath made no mistake from the spot to make it 3-2.  It was end to end at this stage but Newbridge regained their two goal advantage midway through the second half with a superb individual effort from the impressive Gary Connolly, to make it 4-2 to the home side. 

Newbridge killed the game off as a contest when in a six minute spell they scored three goals, without reply, the first from David O Riordan, this was quickly followed by one from  Milton Benitez, completing his hat trick with another brilliant goal after some outstanding play in midfield from Philly Gorman. In the 58th minute David O Riordan scored his second of the game to leave the score 7-2 to Newbridge.  Ratharney scored a late consolation goal through Kevin Flynn, and the game ended 7-3 to Newbridge. Newbridge will play Rathangan next Saturday in the Final, while Raharney will be happy with their first season in the KDFL with two games remaining they have cemented their place in the top Division of Masters with a minimum fourth place finish. 

Other Feature game

(By Wayne ‘Bubba’ Doyle)

Ace Sports Awards Masters Division 1

Kilcock Celtic FC 8 5 Ballycane Celtic FC

To say this was a high-scoring contest would be a huge understatement. Kilcock opened the scoring after nine minutes with a long-range shot from Robert Gonia that was right under the crossbar, which Finbar Furey struggled to deal with, giving the home side a quick advantage. Ballycane responded immediately with a fantastic passage involving Wayne Doyle , Jamie Curran  and Kevin Higgins, who hit a well-placed volley to equalise for the Cane. Ballycane took the lead after seventeen minutes with Ciaran Fennell's pass splitting the Kilcock defence, with Jonny Finnegan finishing well to give Ballycane an early advantage.

Eoin Hannigan brought Kilcock Celtic level with a powerful run and a neat finish after twenty minutes. Ballycane responded instantly with a swift counter-attack, as Wayne Doyle picked up the ball deep in his half and released Higgy to deliver a low cross, with Ian Cox finishing to put Ballycane ahead once more. However, that lead lasted barely two minutes as Shane Fitzgerald found himself with space at the edge of the Ballycane penalty area, took a touch, and finished emphatically. It was a highly open, free-scoring game played at a fast pace.

The scoring wasn't finished yet, with the game remaining tied at 3-3 after twenty-five minutes in the first half. Ballycane again edged ahead as Jonny Finnegan showcased his skills before setting up Ian Cox for his second goal, which came around the half-hour mark. Kilcock drew level just three minutes later when Shane Fitzgerald, from wide left, somehow found the back of the net, tying the match at 4-4 right on halftime.

Kilcock Celtic started the second half strongly, scoring two goals in the first ten minutes—Shane Fitzgerald completing his hat-trick and Eoin Hannigan adding his second—leaving Ballycane chasing the game. With a slight reshuffle in their formation, the visitors, in hindsight, had more attacking momentum but left themselves exposed at the back.

Ballycane had some good chances, including Bubba Doyle crashing a long-range shot off the crossbar, and Kevin Higgins having a certain goal cleared off the line by an excellent block from Christopher Ralph. Jamie Curran also had a great opportunity but couldn't convert from close range after a fine cross from Stewy O'Neill.

Kilcock added two more goals later—Shane Fitzgerald capitalising on a blistering counterattack before finishing coolly with ten minutes remaining. Ger o Grady scored Kilcock's eighth off the bench with two minutes to go, and Ballycane pulled back another one deep into injury time thanks to Jamie Curran’s late consolation goal.

Ballycane will feel they could have gained something from the game, but it's hard to justify when you concede eight goals. Full credit to Kilcock who were clinical and took the opportunities when they were available.