KDFL Senior Focus

KDFL Senior Division Team Focus.

Lumsden League Cup Action!

Clonmullion FC 3 Suncroft AFC 1

Current holders and winners of 3 of the last 4 Lumsden Cups Clonmullion took on a resilient Suncroft in the first round at home in Micheál O Neill Park. The home side started very sluggishly and but for some last ditch defending and a vigilant Michael Lawless they were fortunate not to find themselves behind. However they did take the lead in the 5th minute after brilliant wing play by Bryan Byrne beating full back Corey O Sullivan and crossing first time only to see the ball rebound off the back post into the path of Chris Chanders who finished clinically from 12 yards out. But Suncroft struck back 4 minutes later when Josh Lee intercepted the ball 20 yards out and ran through on goal finishing calmly passed the advancing Lawless. The Mull restored their lead on 20 minutes after a brilliant move between Lee Doyle and Jake Nicholl down the right wing with the latter whipping in a great cross with his right foot and Ceilum Maher adjusting his run to stoop low to score with a diving header. Maher was causing real problems for the defence with his pace and clever movement and brought a great save from keeper S Doyle after a lovely diagonal ball from Lee Day. Maher went close again just before the half after latching on to a Nathan Robinson flicked header and beating 2 defender's before curling his effort just wide. 

Clonmullion could have added to the lead 5 minutes into the second half after Chanders intercepted a poor clearance by the keeper but he recovered well to tip the ball around the post. The home side did get their third in the 51st minute when Johnny Fennel picked out Robinson who sent 2 defenders the wrong way with a beautiful step over and unleashed a left footed shot which the keeper Doyle could only parry back into the path of Maher who was able to swivel and get a well deserved second goal for himself to put his side 3 1 up. With 20 minutes left came the move of the match when Mark Hughes picked out a great ball to substitute Baylie Foley who crossed to Lee Doyle who volleyed first time only for keeper Doyle to go full length to tip the ball away from goals. Not to be outdone at the other end Lawless pulled off a fantastic full length save from a Craig Durney volley right on the 90th minute to maintain his sides 2 goal lead and assure they make it into the hat for the second round of the coveted Lumsden Cup.

Maynooth Town AFC 1 Clane United FC 9

Senior division side and last year’s finalists Clane united FC made the short trip to Division 1 side Maynooth Town in the opening round of the 2025 Lumsden League Cup and came away with a resounding victory. Keen to avoid any complacency, the visitors started strong and opened the scoring from the returning key player Andrew Hyland from 25 yards out within the first 5 mins .  Clane controlled the rest of the game running out 9-1 winners adding goals through Aidan Ralph with a first half hatrick Eoghan  Maguire Nathan Carr Dean Comiskey and Hyland adding 2 more to complete his hat tick .  Best for the Clane were Andrew Hyland Aidan Ralph Dean Comiskey and Eoghan Maguire.

Dunlavin AFC 0 Arlington FC 9

Arlington AFC produced a devastating attacking performance to book their place in the next round of the Lumsden Cup, against Division 3 side Dunlavin AFC. 

The scoring began early, with Alex Dunne powering in a header from a corner in the 6th minute. Zak Whelan doubled the lead in the 22nd after a clever assist from Robbie McNeill, before Dunne grabbed his second of the morning with a long-range strike in the 27th. Arlington’s fourth came through James Haberlim, who combined superbly with Whelan on the right wing in the 33rd minute. Ian Higgins then made it five from the penalty spot five minutes later.

After the break, Olumide Solanke stole the spotlight with a well-earned hat trick, scoring in the 47th, 68th, and 77th minutes. Robbie McNeill found the net in the 78th before Zak Whelan wrapped up the scoring with his second of the day in the 89th minute.

It was a complete team display in challenging weather, with Arlington showing composure, movement, and clinical finishing throughout. Best for Arlington: Olumide Solanke, Alex Dunne, James Haberlim & Zak Whelan

Newbridge United FC 1 Kilcullen AFC 2

United went into today on the back of a 5 game winning streak but from the off looked miles away from previous games,  Made to pay from a defensive mistake and Kilcullen’s eager high press gave the visiting striker a chance which he slotted away after 25mins to give the away side a deserved lead. This woke United up to start creating chances but final play in the last third was not as clinical and kilcullen kept United at bay, 2 mins before the break and kilcullen got a second when a tame shot somehow squirmed under the United keep Shane Farrell, 

The second half saw United make changes and within 3 mins we're giving the chance from 12 yards after James Mahoney was taken down, he stood up bravely after his last peno against hotspurs was saved but this he rolled it of target and wide,  Chances came more frequent for United as they stepped it up and Mahoney went close again seeing his effort hitting the bar, 

The mentality of Mahoney kept him and united going and the deficit was halved on the hour mark when he curled a beautiful left foot strike into the top far corner from the right of the box, 

United tails were up and Ryan Kearney had the ball in the net but for an offside call, in the end united’s pressure was in vain as kilcullen held out and deserved there victory for their spirit they showed. Best for United were James Mahoney, Callum Sinclair and Denis Kave.