KDFL Senior Div Team Focus

League Cup Action.

Prosperous United FC 2 Old Fort Celtic FC 3

Old Fort travelled to Ballynafagh Road to face Prosperous in a delayed round 1 Lumsden Cup fixture. Both teams started the game at 100MPH but it was Prosperous who drew first blood when a direct route 1 football approach proved to be a hit. Ball over the top and old fort failed to clear their Lines as Jamie Cullen slots home into the bottom corner out of reach of the Old Fort keeper on the 10th minute. Cullen doubled his tally and Prosperous lead exactly ten minutes later when another inch perfect pass over the top seen Cullen lob the ball over the Old Fort keeper to make it 2-0 and this is exactly what Old fort needed to kick into Life.

Old fort controlled most of the ball and Prosperous soaked up a lot of the pressure, but Lee Carroll Talbot and Ogie Brown proved why work rate is vital as they covered every blade of grass on the pitch and gave Prosperous no space. Old fort finally started playing, Daryl Ntumba and Patryk Staniec proving a little too difficult for the Prosperous backline as they gave away a number of fouls.

Ntumba was definitely up for the battle against the left back and after he accumulated a series of fouls, the left back was shown an early yellow card. Chances started to come for Old Fort but Prosperous held strong and seen the half out and held a 2-0 lead.

Old fort started the second half with Intent in their game and after multiple chances, they got one back through a perfectly whipped Free kick from Lee Carroll that met the head of Ntumba, who made no mistake as he nodded it over the keepers head. Game on. Prosperous were reduced to ten Men five minutes later when a link up play between Byron McGuirk, Talbot and Brown seen the ball played wide to Ntumba who linked in with Scott Coyle who was taken down by the already booked Left back.

From here on it was all Old fort as Prosperous sat and defended for their lives but It seemed like the equaliser was coming. Chances from Costigan, Shinners, Staniec and Coyle, Another chance through Dan Gorman, but it was the man who assisted the first goal who scored the 2nd. A scramble in the box, seen the ball fall to Lee Carrol and he rifled it into the top corner to draw level with ten minutes to play.

The Old fort defence of Robbie Farrell, Jamie Preston, David Costigan and Jamie Shinners were In top top form and proved too strong for the Prosperous attackers. Last minute of normal time Old fort had a free kick,. The ball was whipped in and met by the head of Costigan and just barely missed the target. Full time 2-2 with extra time needed to decide the outcome.

With newly introduced legs In Brian Smith, Shane Brophy, Tyler Dempsey and Jamie Preston late in the game It proved the difference as Prosperous started to tire. First couple of minutes of extra time, veteran David Costigan made a tun from his own box through the middle as Ntumba slotted him through he was brought down on the edge of the box for a free kick. Up steps Tyler Dempsey and he hits an inch perfect free kick into the far top corner to put Old fort in the lead. It was pretty much a possession orientated passage of play for the away side as they moved the ball very well.

Prosperous got a chance late in extra time with a free kick on the edge of the box that was struck well, but the ball took a wicked deflection and looked to be sailing in, but Old fort skipper Dean Bland had other ideas as he made an unbelievable save to keep the ball out. Bland was called upon twice more in extra time and Made 2 more important saves. But Old Fort Run out 3-2 winners on the day with a hard fought win from 2-0 down. Best on the day for Old Fort were Robbie Farrell, Daryl Ntumba and Jamie Shinners, And Liam Og Brown who were all unbelievable. But Lee Carroll Talbot nicks man of the match for Old Fort with a goal and an assist In 90 minutes to make the all important comeback before they sealed the win.

Best for Prosperous we’re Eoin O’Reilly, Ayobami Alarape and man of the match Jamie Cullen. 

Senior Cup.

Clonmullion FC 3 Arlington FC 1

Arlington AFC started brightly away to Clonmullion, but individual errors and a strong second-half showing from the hosts saw the game end in a 3–1 defeat. Ben McEvoy opened the scoring in the 3rd minute with a tidy finish following a well-weighted pass from Mark Ugochukwu, giving Arlington a perfect start. Clonmullion levelled just eight minutes later through J. Connell, who finished from close range after a corner. The sides went in level at the break, but the home team took control after half-time.

Two second-half goals from Chris Chanders proved decisive — the first coming in the 55th minute after a defensive mistake, and the second ten minutes later when a poor back pass was intercepted and punished. Best for Arlington were James Haberlim, Olu Solanke, Ben McEvoy, Jason Conlon & Mark Ugochukwu

Rathangan 3 Coill Dubh AFC 1

Rathangan booked their place in the first round of the Senior Cup with a solid 3–1 win over a determined but out-of-form Coill Dubh side. The home side opened the scoring early, capitalising on a corner when McDonnell latched onto a flicked header from Scanlon to steer the ball home. Despite Coill Dubh enjoying more of the ball, Rathangan doubled their lead in the 37th minute against the run of play. Cannon, who would go on to be named Man of the Match, finished confidently to make it 2–0. Coill Dubh responded well and got themselves back into the game just before half-time. In the 42nd minute, Craig Lenehan did well to beat his man on the flank and set up Jay Devine, who finished with aplomb to give his side hope.

The second half saw Rathangan manage their lead effectively, sitting deep and denying Coill Dubh any real chances to get in behind. Then, in the 74th minute, Cannon struck again—sealing the result and securing his brace with a composed finish to make it 3–1. Best for Coill Dubh: Sean MacMahon, Jay Devine. Best for Rathangan: Man of the Match Cannon, Ian Doyle

Rathangan now progress to the first round of the Senior Cup, while Coill Dubh will look to regroup ahead of their next league fixture.

League action

Naas United 6 Moone Celtic FC 0

Naas Utd go back to the top of the table after this emphatic victory today against a Moone Celtic side who were certainly no pushover. The away side had a great chance after just 2 minutes, despite looking bright when they lost possession and No. 11 (Kelly) forced a good save from Keith Higgins and his brother John Paul followed in behind to mop up the ball. Naas Utd continued to play well though and a Liam Marshal volley from 30 yards forced Moone Celtics keeper into his first save of the game in the 4th minute. Naas went close again a few minutes later when Scott O Neill struck over from distance before Owen Moran eventually opened the scoring on 11 minutes. A lovely overlap and cross by Ruben Maher set up Joe Mills inside the area, Mills turned his man and shot low off the post, but Owen (Mozzy) Moran was quick to react to smash home from 8 yards out. Naas were well on top by now and had a penalty shout on 22 mins when the electric Joe Murray was fouled on the by line, but the referee waved a goal kick. Naas made it 2-0 though just a minute later after great play for Marshall in midfield saw him drive forward and set up Joe Mills who showed great touch to turn 2 defenders and calmly slot the ball into the bottom corner. Both sides had chances after that with Ruben Maher, Scott O’ Neill and Marshall miss the target while No.11 and No.7 went close for the away side. Naas left back Stephen Tilly got forward and created a good chance for himself with a lovely bit of skill, but his shot deflected over the bar. Naas made it 3-0 from the resulting corner though, Liam Marshal slight over hit the cross but Joe Murray was alert to get himself in around the back and swing the ball back in the mix, where Marshal was on hand to brilliantly curl the ball back across the keeper give the home side a 3-0 lead at the break. Naas were guilty of taking their foot off the pedal in the opening stages of the 2nd half and Moone had 3 very good chances as No.7, No.6 and No.10 all saw excellent saves from Keith Higgins to his goal frame intact. Naas rang the changes and introduced Dylan Malone, Pearse O’Neill, Jamie Boyd, Dylan Hannon and Leon Doyle, who gave the spark back to the team. Owen Moran struck the bar with an acrobatic volley from 8 yards out after a good cross once more from Murray. Murray himself looked like he’d made the scoresheet when he cut in from the left and curled an effort inches wide of the far post. Central defender John Paul Higgins was certainly enjoying himself stepping out from the back and he forced a great save with a powerful strike form 35 yards out. Jay Boyd headed just over from the resulting corner, but he didn’t have to wait to long to get his name on the score sheet as he made it 4-0 in the 76th minute with a perfectly curled shot into the top corner from 15 yards out. Boyd was in the thick of the action action on 80 mins when he ran onto a long ball from John Paul Higgins. And unselfishly he squared the ball across to Joe Murray, who made no mistake to grab a well deserved goal. Naas were awarded a penalty in the 84th minute when Pearse O’Neill flew up from Left back to force a hand ball, but John Paul Higgins saw his spot kick saved by the away keeper. We didnt have to wait to much longer though as the 6th goal arrives in the 87th when Joe Murray brilliantly beat 2 players out on the right wing before showing great awareness to pull the ball back to Boyd who scored with a delighted first time finish and sealed the victory for United who went back top of the table after Newbridge United lost the Newbridge Derby to Hotspurs. United are idle in Midweek, but will travel to play Rathangan next time out. Best for United today were Man Of The Match Joe Murray who was excellent throughout and gave both Full Backs nightmares. Joe Mills was outstanding up front too with some excellent hold up play and a lovely finish to boot. Backed up by Higgins and Kerrigan in the backline and Scott O Neill in midfield, while Boyd off the bench showed great composure to score 2 and set up one in a perfect 25 minute appearance.

Newbridge United FC 4 Newbridge Hotspurs FC 5

There have been many Newbridge derbies down through the years but today’s game must rank up there amongst one of the best and most entertaining. A game characterised by some excellent goals, some good passages of play, pure grit and what some might say a bit of bedlam thrown in for good measure. Hotspurs started the game well and were outstanding for the first 22 minutes. Hotspurs took the lead on the 7th minute. It came via good play on the left, good individual play from Mark Wolfe found Scott O’Donoghue ahead of him, O’Donoghue squared the ball into Niall Flynn whom composed himself and struck home to make it 1-0. On the 14th minute, Hotspurs doubled the lead, it came via a good press from Tomas Hennessy whom pressured the United player, his pass was intercepted by Niall Flynn who took his touch and neatly fired past the United keeper, 2-0 to Hotspurs. On the 16th minute, Hotspurs made it 3. This time it came via the right hand side. Good defending by Shane Higgins ultimately found  Niall Flynn in space on the right hand side, Flynn crossed in low to the box where Scott O’Donoghue was on hand to strike past the United keeper, 3-0 to Hotspurs. Hotspurs relentless start didn’t stop there. It was on the 22nd minute when they made it 4-0. It came via an excellent corner taken by Ryan O’Donoghue which was met by the head of Sean Higgins, 4-0 to Hotspurs. At this point and on a very warm and humid morning, the ref allowed a water break. This took a bit of the wind out of the sails of Hotspurs. To be fair to Newbridge United, they came out after this water break and slowly began to work their way back into the game. On the 28th minute, they were awarded a free kick outside the box. Ryan Kearney stood up and his shot found the back of the net, 4-1 to Hotspurs. United pulled another one back just four minutes later and it came via another fantastic Ryan Kearney goal, his strike from distance deceived Reece Winders and it rifled the back of the net, 4-2. Hotpurs nearly made it 5 on the stroke of half time when good play by Niall Flynn eventually led to his shot inside the box going just wide and hitting the side netting. The game went in at half time 4-2.

In games like this, it is normally the case that the pace and flow naturally slows off somewhat, today it didn’t. On the 47th minute, Hotspurs were awarded a penalty. Niall Flynn stood up but his penalty was brilliantly saved by Kevin McDonnell. On the 57th minute, Niall Flynn had a good disallowed following a Mikey Murphy pass. Just two minutes later, Mark Wolfe had a fine shot saved by the United keeper. On the 63rd minute, Niall Flynn had another goal disallowed for offside. On the 67th minute, Ryan O’Donoghue struck a volley at goal but it was again well saved by the United keeper. To be fair to Newbridge United they kept plugging away and it was on the 74th minute when they got their third goal of the game, it came via a strike on goal by Dennis Kalve. At this point, the game was a free for all with chances occurring on both sides. United however got their equaliser on the 85th minute and it came via another Dennis Kalve finish. The game at this stage could have went either way. However, deep into injury time Hotspurs were awarded a free kick, Chris Higgins went close with his kick but it was deflected wide. Hotspurs gambled it all in on this and flooded the box with men. Eamon Doyle delivered fantastic corner into the box, it dropped  in the six yard area and fell to Sean Higgins and Eoin McGrath with one of them striking to make it 5-4 thereby producing absolute limbs on the Hotspurs sideline! The game finished 5-4. Best for Hotspurs were Niall Flynn, Ryan O’Donoghue, Sean Higgins and Hotspurs man of the match Mark Wolfe. Best for united Ryan Kearney, Brian Murphy, Jamie Headon, Denis Kave.