KDFL Senior Div Team Focus

Senior Cup Action!

Clonmullion FC 0 1 Naas United FC (AET)

This was the ultimate smash and grab victory for Naas United as they sent KDFL Senior Division League Champions Clonmullion out of the Karina Donnelly Senior Cup and inflicted the home side's first defeat of the season. Clonmullion went close after 6 minutes when Cody Mulhall took a quick free kick to Keane Cully who dragged his effort just wide from inside the box. In the 9th minute Danny Thompson was taken down inside the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Mulhall stepped up to take the spot kick but keeper Keith Higgins guessed the right way and parried the ball out for a corner. In the 25th minute Jake Nicholl picked out Ceilum Maher who in turn found Chris Chanders who slid Jody Dillon in on goal but he too didn't hit the target. This was the to be the theme of the first half with Clonmullion squandering chance after chance and some last ditch defending by Naas. Indeed the visitors only first half attempt was a Joshua McDonald direct free kick which didn't dip enough to trouble Evan Gratton in goals. 

The second half continued in the same way when a lovely in swinging corner by Nathan Robinson was headed over from close range by Chanders. In the 55th minute another lovely move out from the back saw Cully pick out Dillon who laid the ball off to Mulhall who’s effort was straight at Higgins. With 15 minutes remaining a Mulhall corner was half cleared Higgins and as the ball bounced around in the box Dillon hooked the ball goalwards but it rebounded off the crossbar and away to safety which was a sign that it wasn't to be his side's day. Garry Comerford hit a powerful dipping free kick a few minutes later but Higgins was well placed to save. Extra time beckoned.

Five minutes into the extra time Lee Doyle whipped in a great cross from the right which Jamie Dunne headed clear and Chanders was waiting outside the box and hit a lovely half volley but Higgins was again in the right position. With only 2 minutes remaining in the first half of extra time in their first meaningful attack of the entire game the ball was only half cleared and the ball fell to Owen Moran who fired the ball low just inside the post to give his side the lead. For the remainder of the extra time Clonmullion continued to dominate possession and had numerous efforts on goal but couldn't make the breakthrough. 

League Action !

Newbridge United FC 2 4 Coill Dubh AFC

Coill Dubh stretched their unbeaten run to five games with a thrilling 4–2 away win over Newbridge United.

The visitors got off to the worst possible start, conceding after just 32 seconds when Adam Murphy struck early to put Newbridge ahead. But the setback jolted Coill Dubh into life. On 10 minutes, talisman Ryan Grace finished superbly after clever play from Tadhg Cashman to bring them level. Soon after, Cashman was the creator again, releasing winger Jason Devine, who made no mistake to fire Coill Dubh into the lead. That advantage was short-lived, however, as Murphy doubled his tally to make it 2–2.

Just before the interval, Coill Dubh edged back in front when Devine met Joe Bowers’ shot-turned-cross with a smart header. They went in 3–2 up at the break.

The second half began with Newbridge piling on the pressure, but Coill Dubh’s in-form goalkeeper Ryan Bagnall produced a string of superb saves — including one incredible stop with his face — to keep his side in front. His heroics proved a turning point, galvanising the team. Coill Dubh pushed on, with Grace and Devine combining brilliantly in attack. Their persistence was rewarded when Devine turned provider, setting up Grace to lash home a thunderous finish and seal a 4–2 victory. The unbeaten run continues, and Coill Dubh look full of promise this season.

Best for Coill Dubh, Ryan Bagnall – outstanding in goal, three key saves and huge bravery., Tadhg Cashman – two assists and tireless work in midfield, Ryan Grace – two goals and a constant threat. Man of the Match: Jason Devine – two goals and an assist in a superb all-round display.

Old Fort Celtic FC 2 1 Rathangan AFC 

Old Fort Hosted Rathangan In a Battle for Safety in the Senior Division. A win for either team seen them Secure Senior Football For next season. Old fort Started the Brightest and after just 5 minutes found themselves in front. An inch perfect pass from eoin carroll looped over the defenders head onto the run of robbie farrell who made no mistake as he put it past the keeper to Go 1-0 Up. Old fort Piled more pressure on and held alot of possession but couldn't create anything concrete. Rathangan Gained momentum and started maintaining control of the game and found themselves in on goal and put it past the keeper to make it 1-1. Rathangan Nearly scored a 2nd through an unbelievably struck free kick but were denied by the Post. Old Fort Finally Started to find their feet again and Started piling on the pressure but Chances weren't to Be for either side before the Half time Whistle went The second half was a bit more back and forth with Both teams going for it knowing that a win Secures Senior Football. The Work rate paid off for the home side as Ntumba made a powerful Run and was brought down inside the box Where Up Stepped Liam Og Brown as he Struck well and was saved by the keeper but Ogie followed his run and Slotted home to make it 2-1 to the home side. Both sides seen red and were reduced to 10 men with fifteen minutes remaining.  Old fort held firm and secured a 2-1 Win and Senior Football For next season.  Best for Old fort Was Dan Harty, Eoin Carroll, Jamie shinners, Robbie Farrell, Byron McGuirk But Man of the match goes to the Veteran David Costigan Whose experience Was Well used today.