Lumsden League Cup Action !
Clane United FC 4 Ballycane Celtic FC 2
Clane United progressed to the semi final draw for the 2024 KDFL Lumsden League Cup following their 4-2 victory over Premier League side Ballycane Celtic. Their goals came from an impressive hat trick from Rasdi Nsimba and strike from Cathal Geoghegan.
Leixlip United FC 1 Clonmullion FC 5
Leixlip United hosted Clonmullion in this Lumsden Cup quarter final tie on a glorious Saturday evening. The home side started well and retained possession for long periods of time without really threatening the visitors. On the quarter hour mark a Nathan Robinson corner was headed back across goal by Jay Connell and Chris Chanders applied the volleyed finish to put his side 1 up. Ten minutes later a flowing move seen Lee Day pick out Jody Dillon who’s first time pass to Chanders put him through on goal but Mark Cribben fouled him inside the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Cody Mulhall made no mistake to make it 2 nil. On the half hour mark it was almost three when Mark Hughes played a lovely diagonal pass to Johnny Fennel who’s first time flick took him past Davy Curly and he pulled the ball back to Mulhall who’s effort jus scraped the crossbar. Five minutes later came the move and goal of the game when Chanders passed to Connell who found Robinson who in turn back heeled to the overlapping full back who returned it to Robinson who whipped it into the back of the net from an acute angle.
The second half was only two minutes old when Mulhall got a fantastic individual goal as intercepted an attempted pass from Karl Ebbs and as the ball bounced he flicked it over two attempted tackles and without the ball hitting the ground as he ran he volleyed home past Tadgh Murphy to make it 4 nil. On the hour mark two of the visitors half time substitutes Benny Lawlor and Mark Wolfe combined beautifully to set up Dillon who swivelled and shot from the edge of the box but his effort was always rising. Three minutes later Dillon would find the back of the net when the industrious Rickie Moriarity set Lawlor away down the left wing to cross to his centre forward to make 5. With fifteen minutes remaining the promising young Ger Kenny went close after Hughes and Corey Moore combined to set him away down the right and he weaved his way past Cribben and Curly but keeper Murphy made a great save.
Best for Leixlip were keeper Murphy Ebbs and Cribben at the back with Eamonn Lynch a constant threat up front. Clonmullion were well served by Hughes and Connell in defence Moriarity and Robinson in midfield and Mulhall, Dillon and Chanders up top.
Moone Celtic FC 1 Naas United FC 0
A depleted Naas United travelled to Moone on Sunday morning in the quarter final of the Lumsden cup .On a perfect looking Moone pitch the game started with Naas sharp out of the blocks and Paul Omoteso’s diving header from a Jack Conway cross was only just wide ,Naas created a few more half chances before a long ball from the Moone centre half caused confusion in the Naas defence and the Moone striker slotted the ball home beautifully to leave Keith Higgins in the Naas goal with no chance .The first half ended with the home side leading 1-0.The second saw Naas completely dominate the ball and they thought they had equalized when Manny Philips shot was brilliantly saved by the Moone keeper ,Philips went close again with a free kick only to be denied again by Moone’s shot stopper .The away side continued to create chances through Niall Faherty and Omoteso but the Moone defence defended brilliantly .The last chance of the game fell to Marvin Mbala but when his shot came back out off the underside of the bar Naas knew it wasn’t there day .Moone held out for a great win and advance to the semi finals.Best for a very off colour Naas were Marvin Mbala and Manny Philips.
League Action !
Rathangan AFC 2 Arlington FC 0
Rathangan hosted Arlington in Canal Road on a scorching hot Sunday morning, with a good crowd in attendance for Rathangan's final home league game of the season.
Hoping to continue their good run of form, Rathangan started with good intensity and looked to press Arlington when in possession. While both teams tried to seize the initiative, Arlington's overload in midfield prevented Rathangan from getting the ball down to play their passing game, forcing them to go long and allowing Arlington to control the majority of the opening period and were unlucky when James Harberlins shot just wide after ten minutes.
Rathangan then started to stretch the play with wingers Horgan and Conway looking to run at the Arlington full backs and while a number of poor touches and misplaced passes throughout resulted in possession being turned over to Arlington, the midfield three of Jim Brennan and Doyle brothers, Arun and Iain, worked hard to successfully win it back. Davy Tyrrell started in goal for Rathangan, playing behind an unchanged back 4, looking to keep a clean sheet after the disappointment of conceding a late equaliser during the week. The centre back pairing of Scanlon and Kearns, were impressive in dealing with any balls coming their way, while Nathan Cullen in left back started to grow in to the game after a nervy start.
The deadlock was broken when Rathangan's right back Ciaran Behan strode forward with the ball and played a sensational through pass to Iain Doyle who, despite the calls for offside, took it in his stride and forced the Arlington keeper to come out before playing it across to top goalscorer Lee Moore for a tap in. Rathangan held it tight for the remainder of the half and went in 1-0 at the whistle.
Rathangan came out in the second half with a renewed confidence and started to dominate possession, keeping the ball for longer periods and moving it around with more control and intent. Ciaran Behan continued to impress with both his attacking and defensive play from right back. However, Arlington’s Robbie McNeil then started picking up the ball and driving though the middle, showing some good footwork and drawing in a number of fouls. Arlington's set pieces were delivered with quality and only a brave headed clearance on the line from Jamie Kearns prevented them from getting the equaliser through Phelim O Kane. Rathangan continued to push for their second and if not for some tight offside calls, Lee Moore would have surely added to his impressive season tally.
As both sets of players started to tire in the relentless heat, Rathangan brought on fresh legs. Keith Scanlon, who has had to battled back from injury, had a great chance to score but seen his shot go wide of the near post. With the game coming to an end, Doyle swung in a great corner from the left which was met by the head of Keith Scanlon and hit the back of the Arlington net to make it 2-0. Rathangan saw the same out to took a well deserved three points, putting them in a strong position to move up the table with only a few games remaining.
Best for Rathangan was Jamie Kearns (CB), Arun Doyle (CM), and Player of the Match was Ciaran Behan (RB). Best for Arlington was Phelim O Kane.
Old Fort Celtic FC 2 Coill Dubh AFC 1
Old Fort hosted Coill Dubh AFC on Friday evening in a must win game for both sides trying to avoid the drop. Old Fort started well and front men Josh Akanji, Daryl Ntumba and Adam Burns created early chances. The unchanged midfield of the home side of Byron McGuirk, Lee Carroll Talbot and David Costigan once again proved the difference. As the game progressed OFC looked closer to scoring and they were rewarded from a set piece when McGuirk whipped in a perfect corner which was met on the head by Eoin Carroll, the visiting keeper saved initially and Carroll followed up neatly at the second attempt. Lady luck was not on the side of the visitors as they missed opportunities to equalise through Joey Behan, Jamie Gartland and Mofesayo Awomewe.
Old Fort were still very much on top and could have extended their lead through a long distance effort from Robbie Farrell which was saved superbly by the visiting keeper. The second half started with intensity as Coill Dubh switched things up but it was OFC who drew blood first. When a perfectly shipped in free kick from the inform Robbie Farrell was met by veteran David Costigan who looped his header into the back post giving the Coill Dubh keeper no chance.
Standout players on the night included Ryan Murran, Aaron Lennehan, Sean MacMahon, Old Fort Celtic, and Alan Sheridan, who was solid between the posts. Despite the loss, their performances showed the quality and determination within the squad. Best for Old Fort were
David Costigan, Byron McGuirk, Lee Carroll Talbot, Robbie Farrell and Eoin Carroll, Adam Burns and Daryl Ntumba
Newbridge Hotspurs 3 Kilcullen AFC 1
A balmy Saturday evening saw a Senior Division Mid table battle when Kilcullen AFC travelled to face Newbridge Hotspurs in front of another large crowd on Snigs Brogan pitch which was looking well. Hotspurs first Saturday home game of the season saw them entertain Kilcullen at Snigs Brogan Park. The hot and humid conditions didn’t deter from a highly entertaining game with both teams having lots of chances.
Kilcullen started the game brightly and had two good chances in the first ten minutes through Dylan Aulsberry and Niall Flynn. Both chances however were thwarted, first by a brilliant block and tackle from Robbie Higgins and then by a Ryan Harvey save. Hotspurs first chance of the game came on the 11th minute when Eoin McGraths shot was saved by the Kilcullen keeper. On the 12th minute, Eamon Doyle went close when his header went narrowly wide hitting the side netting. On the 16th minute, Hotspurs took the lead when Ryan Kelly made a fine tackle to break up the Kilcullen attack. He then laid the ball off to Tommy Walsh made a fine pass to Eoin McGrath, McGrath took control and ran at the Kilcullen defence and slotted home from a tight angle. A minute later, Hotspurs nearly doubled their lead. The chance came via a superb Sean Higgins pass to Chris Higgins, Higgins played it back to Eamon Doyle whom crossed to Eoin McGrath, McGraths delicate touch set himself up for the half volley but the Kilcullen keeper was on hand to make a brilliant save. On the 30th minute, Noel Kelly went close when his shot went just wide following good individual play from Greg Kelly in the middle of the park. At the other end, Kilcullen had two further chances, one from a free kick which was well saved by Ryan Harvey, the other a shot from distance that went wide. The game went in at half time 1-0 to Hotspurs.
Kilcullen started the second half strongly exerting a level of control on the game making it difficult for Hotspurs to get on the ball. Kilcullen eventually found the equaliser on the 60th minute when Niall Flynn found space just inside the box and bent his shot over and round the keeper. Kilcullen continued to press. At this point, Gary Lowe and Scott O’Donoghue entered the fray and immediately began to have an impact on the game. Hotspurs began to get control back on the game and find some attacking positions. On the 75th minute, Noel Kelly had a good chance at the near post when his strike went over the bar following a Chris Higgins pass. A key moment of the game came on the 76th minute when Kilcullen on the attacking looked like they would make it 2-1, however Scott O’Connor raced back to make a last ditch tackle to deny a certain goal. On the 80th minute, Stewart Brett replaced the lively Chris Higgins. Brett had an almost instant impact when his hold up play won Hotspurs some free kicks. It was on the 84th minute when Hotspurs took the lead, it came via a Robbie Higgins long throw which ultimately found its way to Stewart Brett, Brett with a typical poachers goal slotted home from close range. 2-1 to Hotspurs. At the other end Kilcullen did have a chance but Ryan Harvey was on hand to make a good save with his feet. On the 89th minute, Hotspurs made it 3-1 when a fine Greg Kelly corner found Scott O’Donoghue in the box who rose well to head the ball into the back of the net. Hotspurs saw the game out and it finished 3-1. Best for Hotspurs were Tommy Walsh, Robbie Higgins, Greg Kelly, Ryan Kelly and Hotspurs man of the match Scott O’Connor. Best for Kilcullen were Marcos Doyle and Cian Gilson.
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