KDFL SENIOR DIVISION TEAM FOCUS

League Cup Action.

Clonmullion AFC 5 Prosperous United 0

Clonmullion welcomed Prosperous to Micheál O Neill Park for this round 2 game of the Lumsden League Cup on a beautiful Saturday evening in perfect conditions. 

Emmet Donoghue was first to get a shot on target albeit from distance after good approach play with Sean O Connor after ten minutes. This seemed to spark the home side into life and Cody Mulhall beat the low block and squared to Noel Kelly who's left footed effort crashed back off the crossbar and was cleared away. Five minutes later a Mulhall corner wasn't cleared and as the ball bobbled around in the area Kelly got his shot on target but keeper Mark Kilgallon saved. In the fortieth minute Lee Doyle who was causing the visitors rearguard huge problems with his pace down the right got to the end line and crossed to Mulhall but his shot was blocked by Christopher Delaney. The Mull finally broke the deadlock soon after when Joe Doran picked out Mulhall who was taken down inside the box. He picked himself up and made no mistake from the spot. Nathan Robinson was next to open up the defence when he skilfully chipped the ball over the advancing defence but Mulhall pulled his right footed volley just wide. In added on time Chris Chanders freed substitute Rossy Cardiff down the left flank and he drilled a low ball into the in rushing Doran to deservedly put his side two up at half time. 

The second half started in much the same manner with Jake Nicholl sliding a ball to Robinson who fired just over from 25 yards out. Five minutes later Nelson Ude made a last ditch tackle to prevent Mulhall from scoring his second. Chanders headed just over the bar from a Robinson corner as the home side pressed hard for a third. On a rare foray into the Clonmullion half O Connor slipped Sean Scully through and he rounded the advancing keeper Evan Grattan but the ever alert Mark Hughes was on the cover to clear the danger. With half an hour remaining Robinson and Doran combined to put the midfielder through, but his effort was blocked by Eoin O Reilly. A few minutes later Chanders got on the end of a Robinson corner, but his header was blocked by Kilgallon but Keane Cully was on hand to bundle the ball over the line. With twenty minutes remaining Nicholl picked out Chanders from a throw in and steadied himself and shot low and hard from 25 yards out to make it four nil. With a few minutes remaining it was five after a great flowing move involving Doyle and Chanders and Mulhall with the latter drilling the ball to the back of the net. A very dominant display from the home side in the end but were made to earn their victory by a very hardworking and well organised Prosperous United.

Coill Dubh AFC 1 Monasterevin AFC 0

Despite a wet Friday morning, Cusack Park was in excellent condition for Friday night football as Coill Dubh welcomed Monasterevin. Coill Dubh, who have struggled for consistency in recent weeks, fielded a youthful side with no fewer than nine U18 players in the squad. Monasterevin arrived in good form and hoping to cause an upset, but that never fully materialised. The home side started brightly and created several early chances. However, Monasterevin goalkeeper Kian Ryan Monaghan was in superb form, keeping the young Coill Dubh side at bay. Efforts from Jason Devine and Jack O’Brien were both dealt with by assured and precise goalkeeping.

At the other end, Coill Dubh’s defence stood strong. John McLoughlin, Craig Lenehan, and the MacMahon brothers dealt comfortably with everything Monasterevin threw at them.

The breakthrough finally came in the 25th minute. A brilliant run and cross from Lennon O’Shaughnessy found the impressive Jake Smullen, who finished well to give Coill Dubh a deserved lead. Monasterevin responded positively and nearly found an equaliser before half-time. Their promising academy player Scott Lavin found himself one-on-one with John McLoughlin, but excellent defending ensured Coill Dubh held onto their advantage heading into the break. Coill Dubh dominated possession in the second half but struggled to turn that control into further goals. The game took another turn in the 75th minute when a Monasterevin substitute, introduced just seven minutes earlier, received two yellow cards in the space of eight minutes and was sent off. Reduced to ten men, Monasterevin battled bravely. Coill Dubh pushed hard in the closing stages, but Monaghan remained outstanding in goal, producing save after save to keep his side in the contest. Monasterevin’s night became even more difficult as they finished with nine players. Still, they can take some solace from limiting Coill Dubh to a single goal despite the two-division gap between the sides. Best for Coill Dubh 

John McLoughlin and Jason Devine. Man of the match went to  Monasterevin keeper Ryan Monaghan.

Ballycane Celtic FC 4 Caragh Celtic 0

Caragh Cetlic made their exit from the KDFL Lumsden League cup, following defeat to Division 1 highflyers Ballycane Celtic FC. L Burke x 2, O Lehane and R Heavey on the scoresheet for Ballycane. 

League Shield Action

Old Fort Celtic 3 Leixlip United FC 4

Old Fort Celtic exited the League Shield when they went down by the odd goal in seven to Leixlip United’s Overs 35s.