KDFL Under 20 Division
Newbridge United FC 7 Derry Rovers FC 1
Newbridge United Under 20S kicked off their season in the newly formed KDFL Under 20 Division
this weekend with a home game against Derry Rovers. Derry Rovers returning to the KDFL after
ten years. Both teams created chances early on with the Rovers keeper making three superb
saves. United finally broke the deadlock after seventeen minutes when Dennis Kave put James
Mahony through one on one and he made no mistake to put the home side 1-0 up. Four minutes
later a Glen Bracken corner was met by Mahony who forced a save from the Rovers keeper Ryan
Ellis but it fell to Kave who had an easy finish to put United 2-0 ahead.
In the twenty fourth minute Mahony turned provider again as he sent Ryan Kearney through on
goal and he made no mistake putting three between the sides. Rovers put United under a bit of
pressure then and a handball inside the box let Rovers back in the game as Tadhg McBride
slotted the penalty home to reduce the deficit to 3-1.
The home side and leaders came into the second half looking to get back on top and they did
that after ten minute of the restart, Kearney picked up the ball and took it by two players and
finished with a lovely placed shot into the bottom corner. United were solid in defence with Cian
Quinn and Donal O'Brien not allowing Rovers in behind them and when they did manage to get
through Barry Lyons was on hand to keep them out with two top class saves.
Having withstood Rovers pressure United got back on top of the game, controlling the ball when
Callum Rodgers picked Mahony out and he scored his second goal of the game. James
Redmond had a shot saved against the crossbar then with five minutes remaining Mahony
picked the ball up in his own half, playing a perfect long ball through the defence for Kearney who
knocked the ball to Redmond and he tapped the ball into the net to make it 6-1. United kept going
and were rewarded for their hard work as tireless midfielder Cian Delaney made a run up the
pitch and was picked out in the box by Callum Rodgers and he buried the ball into the back of the
net to make it 7-1.
It was a great first game of the season for the Under 20's and they hope to build up some
momentum as the season continues. Best for United were Callum Rodgers and Cian Delaney
while for Derry Rovers keeper Ellis and Tadgh McBride were best.