The KDFL Kicked off their 2022 campaign on the 1 st April 2022 with Senior div games between Clane
Utd v Rathangan and Coill Dubh V SPWFC as the opening games and it culminated, 458 league games
and 140 cup games later with the meeting of Athy Town AFC and Straffan AFC in the League shield
Final on the 20 th November, just six days before the KDFL’s 28 th Annual awards ceremony.
Who would have imagined when a group of likeminded individuals got together in Allenwood way
back in 1994 that the KDFL would flourish as it has done to be as strong and vibrant as it is today.
Kicking off in August of that year with 19 clubs and 22 teams, making up two divisions the league
now stands today with 69 teams playing across 8 divisions and catering for men / women and over
35s and Under 20s.
It has been a long hard season for most coming out of the long lay off due to Covid 19. The League
were robbed of their 2020 programme due to the worldwide pandemic and played a shortened
season in 2021 which did provide a much needed outlet for players coming out of some very difficult
periods of isolation. If Covid has taught us anything it is to embrace and enjoy life, spend time with
the people that matter and look after yourself and others. What better way to achieve this than to
keep active and participate in your local Club.
Huge congratulations has to be afforded to our the League affiliates for their contribution to the
season. With many players retiring and others just not returning to the game it has been somewhat
of a difficult season.
That being said it has been a very exciting one particularly at the top where the destination of the
Senior league title went down to the last game of a 22 game programme with the meeting near
neighbours Clonmullion FC and Athy Town AFC in a winner takes all clash. Clonmullion were
victorious and thus began their search for the illusive treble in the League. They completed their
second task on the 30 th October at Mullarney park Castledermot when they lifted the KDFL Lumsden
League Cup trophy following victory over Clane United FC. Finally their dreams were realised on the
20 th Nov at Doctors rd Clane securing the Senior Division Cup over Coill Dubh AFC to complete the
glorious trinity for the first time in the League’s history.
Arlington FC had a fantastic season this year, picking up the Premier League title, runners up in the
Premier Cup and the Masters Div 2 title, a huge achievement for the Club who now boast three
junior teams and a masters team.
Laois side Old Fort Celtic also faired well when they captured the Div 1 league title at the first time of
asking. They will be a huge additional to the premier league next year having being promoted year
on year since joining the KDFL.
In division 2 Clonmullion’s second string were not to be outshone by their Senior side and they also
picked up League silverware when they won the Division 2 league title in their very first season in
the league.
It wasn’t a case of always the bridesmaid never the bride for Newbridge Town AFC this season as the
Over 35s side finally got their mits on the Masters League title and the Cup trophy completing a
notable double for Brendan Walsh’s side.
On the Cup and shield end north Kildare side Straffan AFC captured the Premier Cup following a
titanic game at Doctors rd against League winners Arlington FC and they also claimed the KDFL
League Shield trophy at the same venue against Athy Town AFC a couple of weeks later.
Sallins Celtic FC were all round winners in the winners section this year when they picked up the
Womens League and Cup titles completing a very successful year.
Newbridge United FC got their hands on their first piece of KDFL Silverware when they claimed the
Division 1 Cup title over Coill Dubh AFC. Athy Town AFC’s second string secured the Division 2 Cup
for the first time, they were also runners up in the league. Rathangan women’s team also claimed
their first KDFL trophy when they won the Martin Byrne Womens Shield over Edenderry Town AFC.
Leixlip Utd picked up the Masters Shield following their return to the KDFL having spent two years in
the AFL.
With still a chance of silverware at Provincial and National level, we would like to wish our Clubs
remaining in these competitions the very best of luck, including our Womens Inter League side who
are through to the final stages of the Leinster Football Association womens Inter League Trophy.
Unfortunately there is no FAI Oscar Traynor for 2022/23 but we do hope to resume participation in
this competition as soon as it is relaunched under Manager Fergal Finn.
The Executive would like to wish all our affiliates a very happy and peaceful Christmas and a joyous
New Year. The League will now close for a short period of time over Christmas and recommence in
early January when we return with LFA and FAI Cup and Inter League games. For the next number of
week we are shining the spotlight on our recent special award winners and will features all in the
Leinster Leader.