Feature games

KDFL Lumsden League Cup Semi Final.

Clonmullion FC 2 Newbridge Hotspurs FC 0

Lumsden League Cup holders Clonmullion F.C. took on Newbridge Hotspurs in a  windswept Canal Road in Rathangan which didn't lend itself to flowing football. Both sides found it difficult to get into any sort of rhythm for the first quarter of the game. The first serious effort on goal came in the 23rd minute when Danny Thompson picked out Cody Mulhall who cut inside on to his left foot and had keeper Sean Higgins scrambling across his goal but it drifted just wide. Ten minutes later Ceilum Maher and Jake Nicholl combined well for the latter to cross to the back post where Thompson couldn't sort his feet out before being closed down by Scott O Connor. With five minutes remaining in the first half Mulhall killed the ball with a sublime touch and wrong footed Shane Higgins with a beautiful step over and passing to the in rushing Chris Chanders who played a neat one two with Joe Doran but O Connor got back to block Chanders shot and deflect it out for a corner. 

The second half started with the wind easing off which allowed Clonmullion to play at a much more controlled tempo with Nathan Robinson and Chanders pulling the strings in midfield. Nicholl fired a ball into the feet of Mulhall who’s first touch was again on point and he back heeled the ball back to the overlapping full back who picked out the in rushing Thompson who fired home from the edge of the box to open the scoring. Jodie Dillon was introduced on the hour mark and made an immediate impression as he chested down a quick throw in from Lee Doyle and hit a left footed effort that Higgins saved well. Hotspurs were looking dangerous from set pieces and a great in swinging corner by Ryan O Donoghue was headed goalwards by Barry Doyle but Evan Gratton fisted the ball to safety. With fifteen minutes left Jay Connell headed the ball clear to Robinson who cushioned the ball into the path of Doran who found Dillon who laid the ball to Robinson who had continued his run but he dragged his effort just wide. With ten minutes remaining Hotspurs were awarded a free kick 20 yards out and Mark Wolfe stepped up and whipped the ball over the wall but the ball didn't dip enough to trouble Gratton. Clonmullion made sure of the victory when Doyle picked out Dillon with a throw in which he flicked on to Doran who stroked the ball to substitute Johnny Fennel who made no mistake from ten yards out. Fellow substitute Bryan Byrne almost made it 3 when put in by Keane Cully but his shot just clipped the outside of the post. Best for Hotspurs were Shane Higgins, Ryan O Donoghue and Mark Wolfe. It was a real concerted effort by all the Clonmullion players and substitutes, but Mulhall grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck from the first minute and was a constant threat and he was determined to inspire his team to their unprecedented fifth Lumsden League Cup Final in a row. And in this kind of form he must be a serious contender for the Kildare League POTY. 

KDFL Lumsden League Cup Semi Final.

Kildare Town AFC 3 Old Fort Celtic FC 0

Premier Division champions Kildare Town AFC marched into this season’s Lumsden Cup final with a commanding 3–0 victory over a determined Old Fort Celtic side at Micheal O Neill Park, Clonmullion on Sunday. 

Kildare Town AFC settled quickly and were ahead inside four minutes. Adam O’Keeffe eased any early nerves when he latched onto a precise pass from winger Robert Burke and finished confidently to make it 1–0. Kildare’s backline—Jamie O’Callaghan, Ryan Farrell, Adam Gilligan, and captain Lorcan Wickham—were rock solid, snuffing out Old Fort’s attacks and giving midfield trio Kieran Sheedy, Conor Darby, and Keith Kinsella the platform to dominate possession and create chances.

Old Fort’s midfielders—Liam Óg Brown, Patryk Staniec, Lee Carroll Talbot, and Daryl Ntumba—worked tirelessly to gain a foothold in the game, but suffered a major setback in the 41st minute when an Anthony Durney strike was deflected into his own net by Byron McGuirk, doubling Kildare’s lead.

After the interval, Kildare showed their experience and professionalism, controlling the tempo and frustrating their opponents.  Old Fort’s defence—David Costigan, Eoin Carroll, Byron McGuirk, and Tyler Dempsey—battled hard to contain the Premier Division side and keep the scoreline respectable. Deep into stoppage time, Kildare sealed the result in style when Robert Burke capped his fine display with a 96th-minute goal, finishing from a Dean Hill assist to spark celebrations among the Kildare support. Best for Old Fort: David Costigan, Tyler Dempsey, and Liam Óg Brown. Kildare Standouts: Jamie O’Callaghan impressed at left-back, Keith Kinsella pulled the strings in attack, Robert Burke was a constant threat out wide, and captain Lorcan Wickham—the game’s Man of the Match—marshalled the defence superbly.

The victory sets up a mouth-watering final in October against holders Clonmullion FC, with both sides still on course for a remarkable treble of trophies.

Additional Reports.

Leinster Football Association Over 35 Cup (Fourth Round – Last 16)

Ballycane Celtic FC 1 Leicester Celtic (AFL) 1

(Leicester Celtic win 3-2 on penalties after full time)

Report by Wayne ‘Bubba’ Doyle.

In a tense round four clash, Ballycane Celtic faced the formidable Leicester Celtic, who started the match with impressive energy and purpose. Ballycane struggled to find their rhythm early on, as Leicester's tactical formation granted them an extra man in the midfield, creating pockets of space that the visitors sought to exploit. Although Leicester’s aggressive approach did not initially yield clear scoring opportunities, it forced the Ballycane midfielders to work diligently to counteract the imbalance created by their opponents.

Leicester's Kenneth Carr showcased his speed with explosive bursts that made him a persistent threat. However, Ballycane's solid defensive partnership of Derdy Doyle and Kevin Higgins remained alert, executing timely interceptions to neutralize the danger. On the other side, Cillian Sweeney, playing right full-back, made key contributions by delivering quality crosses, aiming to elevate Ballycane's offensive play. An early setback struck Ballycane when Jacko had to leave the pitch due to a nagging injury. This prompted a tactical shift: Kevin Daly was moved to the right wing while Jerry Murphy stepped into a central midfield role.

As the match progressed, Wayne Doyle and Stewart O Neill began to find their rhythm, linking up impressively to create opportunities. The home side thought they had broken the deadlock when Kevin Daly found the back of the net after a well-executed delivery from Stewy O'Neill, but their joy was short-lived as the referee inexplicably ruled out the goal for a non-existent handball, leaving Ballycane frustrated after twenty-five minutes of play.

Leicester seized the moment to take the lead, with Carr demonstrating great skill on the end line to retain possession and deliver a precise cross to Peter Holland, who expertly converted with a glancing header. This early goal ignited a spark within Ballycane, and they began to assert themselves, creating increasingly dangerous opportunities. Jonny Finnegan proved to be a constant nuisance for Leicester's defence, and Jerry Murphy nearly equalized with a superbly taken free-kick that was expertly pushed around the post by Leicester's goalkeeper, Simon Monks. Just before the halftime whistle, Stewart O'Neill delivered a dazzling strike from a tight angle, levelling the score and shifting the momentum in Ballycane's favour.

The second half commenced with Ballycane showing renewed vigor, dominating possession and controlling the tempo in midfield. Wayne ‘Bubba’ Doyle, Jerry Murphy and Jamie Grey worked harmoniously, driving forward with intent. Mick Shelly emerged as a key figure in defence, winning crucial tackles as Leicester focused their attacks down his side. The pace of the game quickened, with both teams beginning to push for a decisive goal.

Despite Ballycane's sustained pressure and fluid interplay between midfield and attack, they struggled to carve out clear chances against a resilient Leicester backline. Kevin Higgins and Jonny Finnegan attempted spectacular overhead kicks, but neither found the target, sailing just past the posts. Ballycane made strategic substitutions, allowing Mick Shelly a well-deserved rest and bringing on Johnny Sullivan at left full-back, while Ken Weir stepped into midfield, with Derdy  Doyle making way after another top-notch performance causing Bubba Doyle to drop back into a centre-half position.

Leicester remained dangerous, creating several promising chances that were thwarted by a series of stunning saves from Finbar Furey, who was instrumental in keeping the match level. In the closing minutes, Ballycane came close again with two late opportunities, but Simon Monks denied both Daly and Finnegan, keeping the teams on equal footing. Johnny Sullivan made to vital blocks as the final whistle approached to see off a late Leicester charge. 

With the scoreline still tied, the dreaded penalty shootout loomed, sending tensions soaring. The back-and-forth nature of the shootout had fans on the edge of their seats, as Finbar Furey once again rose to the occasion, making two key saves to keep Ballycane's hopes alive. However, in an uncharacteristic display, Ballycane struggled from the spot, missing three vital penalties. This disappointing end marred what could have been a well-deserved victory, and the team now faces the task of regrouping as they prepare for a crucial cup semi-final against Leixlip United next Saturday.

Despite the outcome, certain players shone brightly during the match: Finbar Furey was outstanding in goal, while Kevin Higgins and Derdy Doyle showcased their defensive prowess. Jonny Finnegan and Jamie Grey excelled on the flanks, and Bubba Doyle delivered a commendable performance in midfield.