KDFL SENIOR DIV TEAM FOCUS.

League action !

Newbridge Hotspurs FC 3 Coill Dubh AFC 3

Another entertaining game at Snigs Brogan Park on Hotspurs last Saturday evening kick off of the season. Coill Dubh took the lead on the third minute via fine finish. Hotspurs struggled to get a foothold on this game early on and were lucky not to be 2 or 3 nil down within the first 20 minutes. Coill Dubh forced several saves from the Hotspurs keeper Reece Winders and they also hit the crossbar. That said, Hotspurs for their equaliser on the 23rd minute when Scott O’Donoghue chipped the keeper following a fine Eamon Doyle splitting the Coill Dubh defence. Just three minutes later, Eoin McGrath shot just wide following a Scott O’Donoghue cross. On the 36th minute, Niall Flynn shot at goal but it was saved by the Coill Dubh keeper. The game went in at half time 1-1.

Coill Dubh started the second half well and took the lead on the 51st minute. Just four minutes later, Hotspurs once again equalised via another fine finish from Scott O’Donoghue following a fantastic Niall Flynn pass. At this point, Hotspurs were on top and created a flurry of chances, the first falling to Eoin McGrath whom headed just over the bar, on the 70th minute, Chris Higgins hit the post, on the 73rd minute, Niall Flynn’s shot was saved by the keeper, on the 74th minute, Mark Wolfe headed just wide, on the 75th minute, Chris Higgins shot was once again saved by the Coill Dubh keeper. It was Coill Dubh however that took the lead on the 80th minute via a good finish. Hotspurs once again responded and equalised on the 85th minute when Robbie Higgins hammered his shot into the bottom corner of the next following a Ryan O’Donoghue pass. The game finished 3-3. Best for Hotspurs were Reece Winders, Robbie Higgins and Hotspurs man of the match Scott O’Donoghue.

Rathangan AFC 1 Arlington FC 1

Arlington travelled to Rathangan on Saturday morning and came away with a hard-earned point after a much-improved second-half display. The hosts took the lead on the half hour mark, breaking quickly from an Arlington free kick to open the scoring. After the restart, Arlington looked the sharper side, dominating possession and creating the better chances. Their persistence paid off in the 78th minute when Olumide Solanke produced some brilliant footwork in the box before finishing calmly to make it 1–1.

Arlington continued to press for a winner, but despite their second-half dominance, the match ended honours even. Best for Arlington: Mark Ugochukwu, Iain Higgins, Chris Hoskins

Lumsden Cup QF 

Naas United FC 1 Clonmullion FC 6

The most recent encounter between these two rivals concluded in a fiercely contested draw at Jigginstown Naas. The balance has shifted slightly in Clonmullion's favour, as they secured the Senior Division title last weekend in Newbridge, marking the first Senior trophy of the season. In cup football, however, anything can happen, and all bets are off, and it certainly wouldn't be a major upset if Naas United were to dethrone the current holders. When you juxtapose the two sides, they match up fairly well on paper theoretically. 

Both teams were nice and compact in the opening exchanges, with Naas just shading the possession, without causing any threats to the Clonmullion backline who were composed and alert, led by Gary Comerford and Kian Cully. Joseph Doran had the first real, clear-cut opportunity as he raced onto a Mulhall pass, weaving his way through with exquisite footwork as he set to pull the trigger, Jamie Dunne made a perfectly timed challenge to avert the danger.

Clonmullion didn't have to wait long for the breakthrough as Danny Thompson won a  free kick. Giving Mulhall his first sight on goal, and he bent the effort low and hard beyond Keith Higgins to give Clonmullion the lead after ten minutes. Naas were not deterred by the setback, working hard and moved the ball well through Scott O’Neill, who was lively and industrious in the Naas midfield. Clonmullion were much more potent in their work, and it took two immaculately timed tackles from Jamie Dunne and JP Higgins in close proximity to further deny the visitors. Clonmullion got their second after twenty minutes with a lovely, fluent piece of football that involved Thompson, Doran and Mulhall, the facilitator, with a superb pass through the Naas rearguard that Keelan Lacey finished brilliantly to double the advantage.

 Naas worked their best opportunity of the half with some neat one-touch football with Joe Mills, Scott O Neill combining well with Joe Murray getting the effort away and was easily dealt with by Evan Grattan. Clonmullion added their third with ten remaining in half as Chris Chanders recycled the ball back to Nathan Robinson, who took a quick touch and unleashed a delectable effort from thirty yards that flew arrow straight into the top left-hand corner, a phenomenal goal that would have had two keepers stumped. Joseph Doran further exacerbated Naas' misery, adding Clonmullion's fourth after great link-up play from Lee Doyle and Danny Thompson, Doran a constant threat with a deserved goal for his persistence. 

Naas with a reshuffle at halftime, with the influential Josh McDonald and Speedster Owen Moran introduced with Leon Doyle and Joe Mills making way. Naas had to throw caution to the wind and go for broke with little to lose at this point, but in doing so, left them very susceptible to Clonmullion's blistering counterattack. Danny Thompson, Lacey, and Doran were all going tantalisingly close to further increasing Clonmullion's lead as the gaps were starting to appear for the visitors. Josh McDonald gave Naas that extra dimension in midfield and didn't let the Naas attack falter in the final third. The partnership of O'Neill and McDonald was proving productive, with Naas forcing Evan Grattan into two excellent saves, with Daragh Faherty and Josh McDonald with the efforts. Stephen Tilly did brilliantly to deny Danny Thompson with a great piece of last-ditch defending, and Mulhall again was the provider of another precision ball.

Gary Comerford and Kian Cully mopped up any long ball, with Naas having more of their success on the deck. The game got a bit stale as Clonmullion were content and didn't push the tempo too much in the latter part of the second half. Scott O’Neill made way after a tireless display in midfield for Naas, with veteran striker Jay Boyd entering the fray. Clonmullion added their fifth with under ten minutes remaining as Keelan Lacey was clipped inside the penalty area and Chris Chanders duly converted the spot kick.

Naas did add a late consolation goal as Josh McDonald whipped in a superb ball and Jay Boyd got across two defenders to glance a header beyond Grattan. The scoring wasn't quite finished as Nathan Robinson won a free kick, just outside the penalty area in injury time and elected to take the effort on himself, with a deceptive effort that he fired under the wall, passed Keith Higgins to complete a comprehensive victory on the road for Clonmullion.

Naas were not quite at the pitch for the game today, with a somewhat underwhelming performance by their standards this season thus far. Clonmullion moved the ball with pace, had excellent movement off the ball, were sharp, concise and clinical and will be hard beaten in this competition. Best for Naas, Jamie Dunne was excellent for Naas, made a string of fantastic interceptions, and positionally was spot on. Scott O’Neill in midfield got through a considerable amount of work and didn't relent on either end of the pitch, Josh McDonald, off the bench, was that missing link in the final third for Naas and his ball carrying posed problems. Best for the winners and after a performance like this it's difficult to single out a player but Mulhall’s influence can’t be overstated and some of his touches are just a joy to behold. But he also works so hard for his team and inspires all those around him to do the same and he has been a huge part of this fantastic unbeaten run by the league champions, other to shine on the day were Gary Comerford, solid and commanding at the back, didn't miss much, Nathan Robinson scored two excellent goals and was efficient around the middle and Joseph Doran, quick and direct with tidy footwork and his movement off the ball caused problems all day.

Senior Cup action 

Newbridge United FC 1 Clane United FC 2

Clane started well controlling possession in the stages without creating too much clear cut chances. On the 12th min  the home side were awarded a penalty after a mix up in the Clane defence and up stepped Denis Keve to make it 1 nil to Newbridge.    Clane responded well and continued to pile pressure on the home side missing several guilt edge chances through Eoghan Maguire and Rasdi Nsimba .  On 35 mins Rasdi was unlucky to see his effort hit the post .  Newbridge held out to the break with the goal advantage.    The second half continued in the same vein with Clane well on top.  The chances kept coming and going through Dean Commiskey and Killian Patchell going close .  On the 64th min the equaliser finally arrived as a Stephen Leavy cross fell kindly to Cathal Geoghegan who finally found the back of the net to level the game.  Clane continued to push for the winner.  Andrew Leavy introduced now to give Clane new energy nearly had an instant impact as he shot wide from close range. Clane Captain Jack Kelly nearly edged Clane in front soon after however his shot narrowly missed the target.  On the 84th Dean Commiskey  got in behind the Newbridge defence and set up Andrew Leavy to put Clane ahead .  Clane saw out the remainder of the game comfortably to advance to the semi final . Best for the winners were Mark Kelly, Stephen Leavy and Cathal Geoghegan. 

Moone Celtic FC 0 Old Fort Celtic 7

Old Fort Started The brighter of the 2 Teams Controlling all the Ball and Playing some Tidy football, after 7 minutes Ben Doyle Picked the ball up in midfield and beat 2 men before he Rifled 1 into the Far bottom corner to put the Visitors 1-0 Up. A 2nd was added 10 minutes later through His midfield Companion Robbie Farrell when a similar Chance to the first fell his way as he Slotted 1 into the bottom corner From Range, 2-0 Old fort and They didn’t Stop their They added a 3rd just 5 minutes later Through Patryk Staniec As he Calmly converted his Chance Through 1 on 1 and have the Visitors A 3-0 Lead

Old fort Seemed very comfortable and were dealing with the pressure of the moone long Ball,  the Old fort Make shift Backline of Danny Bland, Tyler Dempsey and 17 Year old Nyasha Mahona Controlled all The ball and Swooped up every long Ball with Ease. Midfield Trio Of Lee Carrol Talbot, Robbie Farrell and Ben Doyle Worked Tirelessly and had a tight grip on the game and On the 36th minute Played lovely football Into Patryk As he added His 2nd of the Game and could have had a Hat Trick less than 5 minutes later but the Young Moone keeper Pulled off a Fantastic Double Save to keep him out and delay The inevitable 3rd goal for the Striker

Half time came and went and Finally After 8 minutes of 2nd half football Staniec got his Rewarded Hat Trick with A Lovely run from his strike Partner Daryl Ntumba beat 2 men and slotted it into His path for an easy Tap in and make it 5-0. Ntumba was Rewarded with a sublime Performance and finally got his deserved goal on the 70th minute when his composure beat 2 defenders before slotting home. Just as the game was about to Wrap up, Lee Carroll Talbot Ran onto a breaking ball and Put it precisely into the the Far Corner out of Reach of the keeper to Make it 7-0 And Old fort Advance into the Hat for the Next Round of the Senior Cup. Best for Old Fort Was Daryl Ntumba, Lee Carroll, Robbie Farrell, Byron McGuirk, Danny Bland, Seany Savage, But Man of the Match Goes Hat Trick Hero Patryk Staniec