KDFL SENIOR DIVISION FOCUS.

Old Fort Celtic FC 0 Newbridge Hotspurs FC 3

On a very mild morning after the weather last couple of days, Hotspurs made the trip across county borders to take on Old Ford this morning. Old Fort coming off of their very well deserved draw last week against Clonmullion FC and the previous week beating Moone Celtic also, they were coming in to this game full of confidence. 

Hotspurs only got their season going last week, beating Moone Celtic 3-1, so they were looking to kick on from a good start to the league.  From minute one Hotspurs pressed the Old Fort backline and this led to Hotspurs first chance when good play down the left from Ryan Donoghue and Robbie Higgins led to the Higgins taking the ball past the Old Fort right back and putting in a low cross which resulted in Mikey Murphy getting on the end of it to make it 1-0 to Hotspurs after 10 Minutes. 

Only four minutes later and again pressing from the ever relentless Eoin McGrath and Eamon Doyle led to Hotspurs overturning Old Fort just on the end of their own box and regaining possession. This led to the ball falling to Niall Flynn who took one touch out of his body and struck the ball from the edge of the box, past the Old Fort keeper to make it 2-0 to Hotspurs.  The Midfield trio of Murphy, Doyler and Donoghue caused all sorts of problems for Old Fort in the first half, not giving them a second to settle and play at all.  After 35 minutes, Hotspurs won a free kick on the edge of the Old Fort box when Shane Higgins was fouled by an Old Fort defender. Chris Higgins stood over the free kick and whipped in an excellent ball to the head of Eoin McGrath who brilliantly finished in into the corner to make it a well deserved 3 nil lead to Hotspurs.  The remaining ten minutes of the half just flew by and both teams went in knowing only half a job was done. Half time - 3-0 Hotspurs. 

The second half was nothing like the first as Hotspurs who were in control of the game sat back and controlled the game with the Defence of Robbie Higgins, Barry Doyle, Shane Higgins and Tommy Walsh marshalled by Sean Higgins in goal all putting in a excellent shift to maintain and keep their clean sheet.  Hotspurs could have had another 2 or 3 today but credit has to be given to Old Fort as they battled right to the last whistle and in particular there Number 6 and Number 9 proving a constant threat thought out the game.  As the full time whistle went Hotspurs were delighted to earn a hard fought 3 points. Best for Hotspurs Today - Ryan Donoghue and Mikey Murphy in Midfield, Shane Higgins in defence and Chris Higgins up top.  Hotspurs Man of the Match was Shane Higgins for an excellent defence display today. Best for Old Fort were Lee Carroll, playing some nice tidy football and Scott Coyne up front. 

Moone Celtic FC 1 Clane United FC 5

Clane settled the quicker of the two teams and went 1-0 up when Aidan Ralph was played through on goal and made no mistake with the finish. After the goal Clane got a bit too comfortable and Moone started to trouble Clane but with no end result with the Clane defence holding strong. On the half hour mark Clane started to knock the ball nicely and got their reward when they went 2-0 up through Dean Comiskey with Stephen leavy playing a great cross in and headed home by Comiskey. Just before half time Clane added a third with Aidan Ralph getting his second of the day with a tidy finish. 

The second half started much the same with Clane well on top and they got their fourt and Comiskey’s econd of the day. Clane made three early changes in the second half but were still creating numerous chances through and should have been further ahead. Moone got a goal against the run of play when they played a quick free kick over the top and a tidy finish. This spurred the vistitors on again and Maguire got a goal that was fully deserved for all the hard work he put in when he took his man on and got inside the box and finished in to the bottom right hand corner.  Clane's defence was very impressive but will be annoyed at conceding a sloppy goal. Best for Clane Dean Comiskey, Aidan Ralph and Eoghan Maguire. 

Naas United FC 3 Rathangan AFC 1

This vibrant new-look Naas United side is taking on the mantle of defending their Senior Division title with gusto. Under the guidance of Ver Nolan, Paul Lawlor, and Schawn Monterio, they've made a smooth transition with a new look senior side and are aiming to build on their strong start. As they hosted Rathangan AFC at Jigginstown Park, they have a great opportunity to make it three from three and further bolster their position in what has been an ideal start. For Rathangan, it’s a chance to regroup from their recent league defeat against Clane United, and they’ll be looking to bounce back and show what they’re capable of.

Naas got their first decent opportunity after ten minutes when Jay Boyd won a free just outside the box. Joe Murray bent a wonderful free that just whizzed by Craig Shannon's right-hand post. Rathangan themselves had their first opportunity when Oisin Conroy showed a blistering turn of pace and combined well with Lee Moore who got a clean strike-off that was well smothered by Keith Higgins in the Naas goal. Nathan Cullen had an impressive start through the middle for Rathangan and was the orchestrator in the opening goal, winning the vital freekick that Arun Doyle swung in; normally a routine catch for Keith Higgins, the Naas keeper bundled the ball into his own net, giving Rathangan the breakthrough after fifteen minutes. Naas, not deterred by the setback, got on the front foot with Scott O’Neill dictating their play from the middle. Rathangan defended well, with Ryan Ivers and Darragh Cullen making some vital interceptions that kept the away side with their noses in front. 

Naas were looking to work off their fulcrum, Adam Colton, up top but found it hard to get the quality ball to his feet, with Tommy Power and Nathan Cullen working tirelessly in midfield to nullify the threat for the visitors. Joe Murray looked the most threatening for the home side as his pace and directness were starting to stretch the Rathangan backline. Naas management made a tactical change with Dylan Malone, making way for Leon Doyle after thirty minutes. It was an evenly balanced game through the first half, with Jay Boyd going very close with a shot come cross in the thirty-sixth minute that needed Craig Shannon to produce a stunning save to deny the ever-reliable Boyd. Rathangan worked their best opportunity just before the break with Iain and Arun Doyle linked up brilliantly with Nathan Cullen, who whizzed a fantastic ball across the box that begged to be tapped in, but no Rathangan player took the chance on it. The Visitors went in with a slender lead at the half.

Naas came out in the second half with much more intensity and purpose to their approach and that immediately paid dividends. As Adam Colton latched onto a ball from Jamie Nulty, the big front man showed exceptional feet as he swivelled and whipped an excellent right-foot drive that nestled in the bottom right corner leaving Shannon with little chance in the Rathangan goal to level up the sides with three minutes played in the second half. The game opened up dramatically now, with both sides creating a number of half chances with Arun Doyle and Nathan Cullen going close for Rathangan. Stephen Tilly should have put United ahead after he blazed a header over the crossbar from six yards after a well-taken corner from Joe Murray. 

Naas just started to wear down a very resilient Rathangan, with Travis O'Neill, Scott O’Neill, and Joe Murray pushing the tempo on the visitors at every opportunity. Rathangan is still very much alive in the fixture, with Arun Doyle, Nathan Cullen and Tommy Power working tirelessly for their side. Both sides made changes, with captain Lee Moore making way for Tone Byrne for Rathangan, who bolstered their attack. Jay Boyd made way for Dylan Hannon after a work-like performance, and Goal scorer Adam Colton took a well-earned break for Joe Mills. Them substitutions proved very shrew by the Naas management as in the sixty-fifth minute after a driving run from Travis O'Neill, Tommy Power made a vital tackle, Joe Mills was on hand to pick up the loose ball and had plenty to do before expertly dispatched the ball past Craig Shannon from sixteen yards to give Naas a deserved lead for their persistence. 

Naas were reduced to ten men when Scott O’Neill picked up his second yellow with nine minutes remaining; it gave Rathangan the impetus to muster a final push to get something from the game; they could find no way past Jamie Nolan, Leon Doyle and Keith Higgins who plucked several dangerous crosses to alleviate the pressure. Naas, with a blistering counterattack with six minutes remaining, were awarded a penalty after Tommy Power bundled over Joe Murray, and Liam Marshall made no mistake from the penalty spot to double Naas's advantage. To Rathangan's credit, they kept plucking away and forcing Naas into needless Reckless challenges in the final third when Stephen Tilly was shown a second yellow on the stroke of full-time to reduce Naas to nine. It was a good display by Naas, who were patient and used the squad to great effect today to secure the three points. Rathangan gave a good account of themselves and were best served by Nathan Cullen, Arun Doyle, Tommy Power, and Oisin Conroy.   Naas, missing several first-team regulars, were able to use their big squad. And were best served by Joe Murray,  Travis O Neill, Scott O’Neill, Jamie Nolan and Leon Doyle.