KDFL Senior Division Focus.

Newbridge Hotspurs FC 3 Clonmullion FC 3.

A very windy Snigs Brogan Park was the setting for this early morning clash which yielded 2 goals in the first 4 minutes The game started quickly and it was Clonmullion that drew first blood on the 2nd minute when following a free kick cross it was met by Ceilum Maher who got on the end of it to beat the Hotspurs keeper to make it 1-0. Hotspurs responded well however to going a goal down and on the 4th minute got their equaliser. It came via quick thinking throw in from Robbie Higgins who found Eoin McGrath, McGrath got past the Clonmullion left back and whipped in a dangerous cross for it to be headed into his own goal by the Clonmullion defender. The game ebbed and flowed for the next ten minutes but it was Clonmullion who almost made it 2-1 when a fantastic strike on the half volley hit the crossbar. On the 20th minute, Eoin McGrath nearly scored when his shot from just inside the box was well saved by the Clonmullion keeper at the near post. Just one minute later a fantastic corner by Scott O’Donoghue was met by the head of Shane Higgins whom headed just over the bar. Hotspurs continued to threaten when Eoin McGrath shot just over the bar on the 25th minute. Hotspurs got a deserved second goal on the 28th minute when a fantastic pass from Scott O’Donoghue found Niall Flynn, Flynn with plenty of work still left to do rounded the keeper and slotted home to make it 2-1. However, the lead lasted only two mins. Clonmullion equalised and it came via a set piece again crossed in at the near post by Lee Day, and it was all square again. On the 40th minutes Hotspurs nearly scored again when an Eamon Doyle free kick went just wide. The game however remained 2-2 going into half time.

Hotspurs made two changes at half time when Eoin Walsh and Tommy Walsh entered the fray. On the 46th minute, Eoin Walsh went close when his shot went wide of the post. The sides remained level until the 65th minute when great interplay between Chris Chanders and Ceilum Maher saw the latter dummy the ball to Cody Mulhall who made no mistake from close range. It was all square again ten minutes later when Niall Flynn hit a powerful shot from just inside the box which Gratton could only parry and the in rushing Michael Murphy made it 3 all. The last fifteen minutes saw both sides create half chances but in the end the blustery conditions was never going to allow for a free flowing game and ended in a stalemate. 

Best for Hotspurs were Robbie Higgins, Shane Higgins, Eoin McGrath and Hotspurs man of the match Mikey Murphy. Best for Clonmullion were keeper Evan Grattan and Chris Chanders. 

Rathangan AFC 0 Newbridge United FC 3

After the Easter break Newbridge United were back in action with a trip to Rathangan and united came into this game with several key members of the squad missing, The visitors got into their stride of good possession and attacking transitions, United took the lead on the 13th minute when a driving run from man of the match Ryan Kearney was taking down on the edge of the box giving an opportunity in which Glen Bracken beautifully struck free kick over the wall beating the keeper to give united the lead, 

This pushed united on and when Niall Costigan was brought down in the box on 35mins and  Bracken stood up and slotted home his and united’s 2nd, 5 mins later and things got more difficult for Rathangan when a Jamie Headon header was goal bound but was handled on the line by a Rathangan defender, he was dismissed and  the excitement of a possible hattrick and the confidence of Bracken to step up again was humbled with the keeper pulling off a fabulous save from the spot keeping the score at 2 – 0. Rathangan down to 10 but boyed from the penalty save pushed to get back in and created good chances one in particular in which united stopper Kevin McDonnell had to adjust brilliantly from an unfortunate bounce on the pitch to roll back the years and keep the clean sheet intact. 

Second half played out with both sides creating good openings but united punished again just after the hour mark when Kearney’s through ball found the on rushing Niall Costigan who flicked it passed the keeper to keep his personal good start to the season going,  United in the end keeping the good momentum going another clean sheet and 3pts will add to the confidence, Best for united Glen Bracken, Jamie Headon  , Ryan Kearney and Aaron Bennett .

Naas United FC 1 Moone Celtic 0

Moone are still searching for their first points in the Senior division however this performance against the league leaders gives encouragement for the remainder of the season. The performance was a huge improvement on previous weeks as this young team adapt to Senior level. 

Both teams contributed to an open game football with Moone edging the opening 30 thanks to Adam Griffith, Owen Fox, Garry Carroll and Tadgh Phelan who had the upper hand in midfield however were unable to get the better of Keith Higgins in the Naas goal. . The away sides first effort on goal came from a set piece out wide as Leon Doyle swung in a good cross, Moones defence only got the ball out to the edge of the area, Liam Marshal struck with venom, but it was blocked well by No.5. Naas attacked again on 16 minutes and good link play from Owen Moran and Jamie Nulty saw the ball eventually come across to Joe Murray but his angles were narrowing and he struck the side netting to let Moone off the hook 

Despite Naas finishing the stronger in the first half, Cian Flood had a quite opening half apart from a few crosses which were easily dealt with. 

Naas were just needing to keep the ball better through the middle and Dylan Hannon came on as a half time sub as a slight change in tactics was needed with Leon Doyle making way. This change gave United a different element now as Hannon immediately looked to influence the game with a great one two with Ometeso and a nice ball out to Moran. The ball hopped around as Moone failed to clear and Ometeso won a 50/50 and then struck a perfect left footed shot from 25 yards out into the bottom corner past the outstretched Moone keeper to give Naas United a 1-0 lead.

Naas must have been still in celebration mode, because they completely switched off from the restart and a minute later Moone almost leveled with Keith Higgins parrying a shot down, No 10 sprinted in for the rebound, but Jamie Nolan came from knowhere to make a fantastic block to keep the score at 1-0. Naas were definitely being put under pressure as Moone pushed for an equalizer but John Paul Higgins was in incredible form as he won every header and every battle in what was a powerful defensive display. Naas struck over the bar twice as Liam Marshal struck from distance before Jamie Boyd came off the bench to replace Joe Mills and moments later struck just over the bar from just outside the area. On 70 minutes John Paul Higgins came out of defence on another incredible run and again he acted as winger before slipping in Joe Murray who forced a corner and the away sides tails were certainly up now. Moone were tiring and the pace of Moran and Murray out wide was a huge factor as the away side began to find holes, but in fairness to Moones keeper, he was doing well to get out and sweep things up. Naas broke away on 80 minutes and Paul Ometeso cut back across the last defender who hauled him down inside the box and a penalty was awarded. Unfortunately being the last man it meant a red card for no. 3.  Liam Marshal had scored a penalty last week to make it 3-1 at home to Rathangan and sealed that game, it was his chance to do the same again today, but he struck to the top corner and a brilliant save from Cian Flood kept the minimum between the sides. Despite being down to 10 men now, Moone looked to push for an equalizer and had 2 chances as No.7 fluffed his lines before No.10 struck a good effort, but found Keith Higgins in great form. Uniteds player manager Ver Nolan came on to help the team see out the game with a bit of composure but he almost had the perfect entrance as a quickly taken Joe Murray free kick rolled perfectly to him, but his effort was well over the bar. Naas did see out the final moments brilliantly and despite a mixed performance at times, they did enough on a ground that will be hard to come to as the season goes on as this Moone side certainly have enough to take points off sides.

Naas United were best served today by Man of the match John Paul Higgins, while his brother Keith was once again excellent in goal with some great saves and another clean sheet, Owen Moran was the outstanding forward on show despite coming back from a long term injury lay off and Joe Murray was also one to mention. While Paul Ometeso showed his class with the only goal of the game and an excellent finish in another 1-0 win.

Moone will take great heart from this performance and the talk in the dressing room afterwards was positive. In goals, Cian Flood dealt adequately with anything that came his way, the back four of Lar Wall, Scott Flood, Liam Horan and Aaron Dunne were solid throughout. Adam Griffith in midfield along with Owen Fox and Tadgh Phelan brought huge energy to the game with Griffith Moone’s best player on the day. 

Clane United 7 Old Fort Celtic 2

Old fort made the Trip Up the motorway on Friday Night to Face a very Inform and strong looking Clane Side who have maximum points from their opening games. Old fort Started the game Very well, Ntumba Linked up with Byron McGuirk who slotted Scotty Coyle through as he dinked the on rushing keeper to give the Visitors a 1-0 Lead. Clane looked very dangerous every time they got the ball and Aidan Ralph was Definitely The man of the moment when a cheap free kick was Given away to Clane and Ralph was Left unattended for the 2nd ball and he Slotted Home to make it 1-1 very early on. 

Both Teams Pushing for that next Vital Goal and Both Teams had Chances to take the lead again But Fine Goalkeeping Displays on Both ends Of the Pitch saw each keeper make some fine saves. Clane squandered a host of chances through Maguire Comiskey , Carr and some excellent saves from keeper Bland .  Five minutes before the break Clane edged ahead through Aidan Ralph with a precise through ball from Ryan Murran. The score was 2-1 to the visitors at the break.  The Home side came out strong in the Second half  as Murran again found Aidan Ralph to complete his hat trick. Nathan Carr made it 4-1 fifteen minutes later to effectively secure the points .  Clane added three more goals through Sean Connolly Comiskey and Ralph getting his fourth .  Old fort scored a consolation through David Costigan as the game ended 7 2 to the visitors.  Best for Clane were Ryan Murran, Stephen Leavy and  Aidan Ralph while Best for Old Fort were Scott Coyle, Daryl Ntumba, Byron McGurk and despite the scoreline Skipper Dean Bland in goal pulled off some fantastic saves.