Feature Game

KDFL Under 20 Premier Division

Monasterevin AFC 3 Kildare Town AFC 4

‘’Kildare Town Edge Thrilling Seven-Goal Encounter in Monasterevin AFC’’

On a crisp, cold evening perfect for football, Kildare Town AFC secured all three points in

a high-octane KDFL Under 20 Premier Division clash, overcoming a

resilient Monasterevin AFC side in a match that truly lived up to the "thriller" tag.

The first half was very much a seesaw battle with Kildare Town asserted their dominance

early. The breakthrough came via a slick sequence down the left flank involving Dylan

McDonald and Cameron Morton. Morton’s clever infield ball found the charging Sam

Murphy, whose strike from the edge of the area took a cruel deflection. 

Monasterevin’s young shot-stopper Mikolaj Deren—who put in another solid

performance—was desperately unlucky not to pull off a wonder save as the ball looped

into the top corner.

However, Monasterevin refused to shrink. They capitalized on Kildare’s defensive lapses,

drawing level when a dangerous long ball forced Jamie Greegan into a sliding

interception that unfortunately clipped the post and trickled in for an own goal.

Momentum swung further to the hosts when Luke Kavanagh pounced on a sloppy pass,

setting up Paddy Murray, who finished with composure to give Monasterevin the lead.

Just as the half looked to be ending in Monasterevin's favour, Sam Murphy turned

architect again. 

His defence-splitting through ball found Ross Farrell, who rounded the onrushing keeper

and finished from a narrow angle to make it 2-2 at the break.

Kildare Town emerged for the second period with renewed intent. In the 52nd minute,

captain Jack Downes produced the moment of the match.  After a sharp one-two

with Conor Kiely, Downes unleashed a thunderous strike from the right side of the box

that left the keeper with no chance, nestling perfectly into the side netting.

Downes wasn't finished. He doubled his tally and Kildare’s cushion shortly after, firing a

25-yard free kick that skipped off the greasy surface and deceived the keeper to make it

4-2.

Monasterevin showed incredible spirit to fight back. Kian Doyle’s pinpoint free kick

found Oisin Molloy—comfortably Monasterevin’s standout performer—who steered a

clinical header home to set up a grandstand finish.

The closing stages were defined by grit, hard tackles, and high intensity. Despite

Monasterevin's late aerial assault, the Kildare Town defence held firm to see out the

victory. 

While Oisin Molloy shone for the monasterevin, there was no questioning the Man of the

Match honours going to Kildare captain Jack Downes for his brace and commanding

leadership.

Additional Report

Leinster Football Association Junior Cup (Fourth Round – Last 16)

Enniscorthy Utd 1 Clonmullion FC 3

Clonmullion FC booked their place in the quarter final of the LFA Junior Cup following

their away victory against Wexford League Div 1 side Enniscorthy United FC. It was a

great performance from the Athy outfit considering their lack of competitive football since

November as they are in the closed season.

It took the visitors a while to get up to their rhythm but a foul on the outstanding Garry

Comerford inside the box led to a penalty. Coolly slotted home by the equally outstanding

Cody Mulhall to put them 1-0 up early on. Soon after a long ball by Enniscorthy keeper to

the right winger led to a well finished goal to level matters. Clonmullion’s second was a

brilliant piece of individual skill by Danny Thompson who beat two defenders before

finishing low down to the keepers right to make it 2-1 going into the break.

The second half saw Chris Chanders very harshly sent off leaving the visitors down to ten

me men for the last half hour, defending their slim advantage. However not to be denied

their form of late a rearranged Clonmullion dug deep and gave a display of possession

football. With fifteen minutes remaining a quick Jake Nicholl throw in saw KDFL Player of

the year Cody Mulhall roll the centre half before finishing superbly with his right foot to

make it 3 1 to The Mull, who now go into the put for the QF draw.