KDFL SENIOR DIV TEAM FOCUS

LFA Senior Cup action !

Naas United FC 0 Templeogue United O35s 3

For the second year running the KDFLs representative in this competition have lost out to Templeogue on a 3-0 scoreline after Clonmullion were knocked out at this stage in 2024 and Naas United fell to the same outcome today. For 60 minutes Naas Utd were well on top and had plenty of possession. Paul Ometeso having a header saved from point blank range, Owen Moran and Scott O’Neill also going close. But three second half goals for the away side put the tie to bed and Templeogue go through to the next round where they will face the competitions hot favourites (Finglas United) who are Leinster Senior League treble winners from last season. Naas United would like to extend best wishes to today’s opponents in that game. Best for Naas United today in an excellent 60 minute performance were Josh McDonald, Stephen Tilly, Joe Murray and Scott O Neill. Naas now have themselves perfectly primed for a Senior Division cup Semi Final next time out against Clonmullion.

Senior Premier Shield (Prelim)

Newbridge Hotspurs FC 1 Coill Dubh AFC 2

Goalkeeping masterclass from Ryan Bagnall of Coill Dubh ensured they went in at half time 0-0, Bagnall pulled off no fewer than 6 superb saves in the half from shots by Eoin McGrath, Niall Flynn and Scott O’Donoghue.  Coill Dubh capitalised on this and took the lead on the 53rd minute. Hotspurs struck back on the 76th minute via a Tommy Walsh thunderbolt from 25 yards out. Both teams were going at it to find the breakthrough, and it was Coill Dubh that got the winner on the 87th minute. Coill Dubh advance to the next round. Best for Hotspurs were Barry Doyle, Tommy Walsh, Scott O’Connor and Hotspurs man of the match Tomas Hennessy. Goal: .Tommy Walsh 

Karina Donnelly Senior Cup semi final action.

Clane United 3 Old Fort Celtic FC 0

Clane United booked their place in the Karina Donnelly Senior Cup final with a strong 3–0 victory over Old Fort Celtic in a lively semi-final clash. The game opened at a high tempo, with both sides trading early chances. Clane’s Stephen Leavy tested his range with a strike from distance, while Liam Deane’s whipped free-kick was narrowly headed wide by Eoghan Maguire.  At the other end, Old Fort’s Lee Carroll Talbot tried his luck from 35 yards with a free kick, but it sailed over the bar.

Clane began to settle into their rhythm by the 18th minute, keeping possession well, though Old Fort’s midfield trio of David Costigan, Tyler Dempsey and Jamie Shinners worked tirelessly to disrupt play.  On 20 minutes, Patryk Staniec latched onto a loose ball outside the box but his effort was straight at Clane goalkeeper John Ball. The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when Eoghan Maguire broke down the right and delivered a fine cross for Killian Patchell, who calmly slotted home to put Clane 1–0 ahead.  The home side continued to push, with Deane, Leavy and Cathal Geoghegan linking up well in attack.  Maguire and Deane both came close before half-time, but Old Fort goalkeeper Dean Bland stood firm to keep his side in the contest.

The second half opened with chances for both sides. Patchell and Maguire combined well for Clane on 59 minutes, but a superb last-ditch clearance from Tyler Dempsey denied a second goal.  Old Fort responded with Sean Savage driving forward from full-back and Daryl Ntumba testing John Ball with a shot from the edge of the box. Clane continued to look dangerous, with substitute Dean Comiskey adding fresh energy down the left.  In the 81st minute, Liam Deane was brought down inside the box, earning Clane a penalty. However, Geoghegan blazed his effort over the bar to give Old Fort a lifeline. That lifeline didn’t last long. Just two minutes later, Deane made amends with a composed finish under the advancing Bland after being played through by Geoghegan to make it 2–0.  Clane sealed the win two minutes later when Comiskey pounced to score their third, ensuring safe passage to the final. Clane continued to press until the end, with Jack Kelly heading narrowly wide from a late corner, but the job was already done. Best for Clane: Aeneas Murphy, Killian Patchell, Jack Kelly & Stephen Leavy Best for Old Fort: Tyler Dempsey, David Costigan, Jamie Shinners & Daryl Ntumba Man of the Match: Eoghan Maguire (Clane United AFC)