Coill Dubh AFC 1 Naas United FC 4
Coill Dubh were looking to bounce back from last week's defeat to Suncroft, but it was the visitors Naas United who were the fastest out the traps to secure a victory on a cool Friday evening under the lights of Cusack Park.
As early as the fifth minute, Dubh’s goalie Mark Kilgallon standing in for the injured Luke Anderson was called into action, pulling off a fine save from close range. Naas came close again minutes later when a well struck shot hit the post and whistled away to safety. The breakthrough for Naas arrived on the twentieth minute after a fine passing move result in Jorddan Martella firing past Kilgallon and it was judged to have trickled across the line despite Jason Wyse’s best efforts to clear it. Kilgallon would prove to be a busy man in the first half and minutes later made another fine save, which was subsequently cleared to safety by Billy McNamee. Prior to half time Manager Wayne Murran introduced Conor Comiskey and Alan Byrne, the latter making his competitive debut for the Dubh’s in an attempt to change the tide of the game. However, Naas headed into half time with a deserved 0-1 lead.
The early stages of the second half saw Naas exert their control easily with Stevie French pulling the strings with ease in central midfield. Victor and Daragh Faraghty were also causing the home side lots of trouble. Naas would double their lead on the fifty third minute when Jamie Dunne slipped a lovely pass to Ritchie French who in turn flicked it to Samson Omodeso who rounded both Coil Dubh centre halves and finished superbly with a left foot strike to the corner. Naas were now in cruise control, but within five minutes a great move in the Dubh’s midfield involving Jack O’Brien paved the way for Dylan Hannon to go one on one with the Naas keeper. Hannon showed his composure with a delightful finish from a tight angle to make it 1-2, much to the delight of the home crowd.
The Dubh’s had a new impetus and were having their best spell of the game and began to pile some pressure on the Naas defence seeking an equaliser. On the sixty fifth minute, Sean MacMahon sent a looping cross into the area which was met by Billy McNamee, whose fine header was easily dealt with by the Naas keeper. Moments later, an effort from Jack O’Brien would come close to equalise but was well saved by the Naas keeper. However, on the seventieth minute the Dubh’s hopes of grabbing an equaliser were dashed when Alan Byrne was deemed to have brought down a Naas forward. The resulting penalty was expertly dispatched by the Naas centre half Higgins. It would be game over just five minutes later when Naas got their fourth of the evening through Faherty. Another fine passing move from Naas was expertly finished. In the remaining minutes, the Dubh’s would push to reduce the deficit but to no avail as they were unable to carve out any quality chances but there were signs of encouraging passages of play.
The final whistle blew at 1-4 and Naas ran out as deserving and impressive winners. Coill Dubh will have to dust themselves down and will be looking to bounce back in next week’s local derby versus Clane United at Cusack Park.
Standout performances from goalkeeper Mark Kilgallon who had a solid game, as did Alan Byrne on his debut after being introduced. Dylan Hannon, Jason Wyse and Sean MacMahon will also be pleased with the shift they put in. Man of Match was awarded to Jack O’Brien who was instrumental in midfield and was outstanding for a second week in a row. Best for the winners who remain unbeaten in their first three games were Jamie Dunne ,Jack Conway,Samson , Victor,the French brothers ,Mattie Drewitt,Jordy Martella and man of the match Daragh Faherty
Rathangan AFC 4 Arlington FC 2
Rathangan took on newly promoted Arlington FC in Canal Road on a Sunday in glorious sunshine. The home side had a spring in their step when they dominated the first half. Within two minutes Tone Byrne was too eager when his shot was blasted well over the post. It only took minutes later when Colin Scanlan took a free from inside Rathangan own half to find Iain Doyle in the left-hand corner who perfectly slotted the ball right on the head of Dillon Broderick who made no mistake to find target to give the home side a lead. Rathangan nearly got caught out at the opposite end with Alex Conlon taking the ball off his goal line to keep Arlington at bay. With Rathangan's midfield working hard with Tommy Power, Stefan Lawlor and Alex Conlon on form It was Iain Doyle putting in a huge shift with a man of the match performance again crossing in a similar ball to Ross Teahan who managed to deflect off his back to hit it into the net in the sixth minute. The home side were totally in control when Alex Conlon got the ball and didn't have much to do to find target. Rathangan had numerous of chances but didn't find the target. At half time the home side was winning 3-0.
Arlington FC faired much better in the second half with Robbie McNeill, Shane Nealon and olu Solanke taking the game by the scruff of the neck . They were causing trouble for Rathangan and McNeill managed to get on the score sheet twice the first just after the hour mark when Rathangan couldn't clear the line and McNeill punished the game started to get lively when Tone Byrne was forced off due to a tackle by Arlington in the seventy second minute Arlington was rewarded a free and from the free it was again Robbie McNeill who ended the ball at the back of the Rathangan keeper net. Just on the ninetieth minute the scorer was to receive a second yellow card for Arlington to be reduce to the ten men following a foul on Tommy Power. It was Iain Doyle and Alex Conlon skill that won a corner. The last minute of injury time Alex Conlon struck the ball into the box when centre back Colin Scanlan a bullet of a header into the Arlington goals. Game over Rathangan 4 Arlington 2 a well-deserved Rathangan victory. Best for Rathangan Colin Scanlan, Dillon Brodrick, Tone Byrne and man of the match Iain Doyle. Best for a hard working Arlington were Robbie McNeill and Shane Nealon.
Clonmullion FC 2 Suncroft AFC 1
Clonmullion kept up their 100% start to the season in what was a very tight competitive game where both midfield were on top and cancelled one another out. This was borne out by the fact it took over 20 minutes for the first attempt on goal. It came when Suncroft full back Josh Lee clipped the ball over the top for Dylan Connolly to run on to and as Michael Lawless advanced he lifted the ball over him only for Timmy Doyle to clear off the line. Doyle would replace Lawless between the sticks ten minutes later and made a good save from Eamonn Doyle after Stevie Coyne had set him up on the edge of the box. Suncroft’s Bryon Reid and Eamon Doyle both had goalbound efforts blocked in quick succession with 30 mins on the clock as the away side began to carve out some openings. As has been the story of Suncroft's season so far, their failure to convert their opportunities were punished when with ten minutes remaining in the first half Ryan Farrell headed a Keane Cully ball clear which was brilliantly won in the air in the centre circle by Nicky Leonard who expertly picked out Jody Dillon who was brought down inside the box. The referee pointed to the spot and Mark Hughes stepped up and made no mistake to put his side 1 up. The visitors almost immediately levelled the score when the industrious Josh Lee raided down the left side before cutting in along the end line and pulled the ball back to Coyne who's shot was charged down by Lee Doyle. From the resulting corner Croft came close again when Kieran Sheedy headed the ball back into the danger area where it fell to Byron Reid who's half volley was saved by Doyle.
5 minutes into the second half The Mull thought they had doubled their lead when a beautifully clipped Mark Hughes ball over the away teams defence picked out Dillon who in turn lobbed the advancing keeper Kevin McDonnell but the referee pulled it back for offside. The breakthrough finally arrived for the Croft ten mins into the half, Kieran Sheedy sweeping the ball wide to the in-form Stevie Coyne, Coyne flighting an excellent cross that was met powerfully by the head of Eoin Doyle to score his third of the season. Sheedy almost put his side ahead moments later, expertly controlling a long ball forward leaving him 1v1 with the 'keeper but his lobbed effort was sent wide of the post Then with seventy five minutes on the clock Clonmullion’s Hughes hit a beautiful pass to the ever dangerous Lee Doyle who's curling first time cross was met perfectly by the head of Dillon to score what proved to be the winner. Rickie Moriarity was introduced to help see out the game and his calmness and experience was invaluable when called upon. The home side did manage a couple of efforts on the break when a Lee Foley throw to Robinson seen him cross to the back post where Benny Lawlor nodded back into the path of Moriarity but he skewed his effort just wide. Another throw this time from Leonard again picked out Robinson who crossed to Lawlor but he headed over the top. A tight tense affair that could have went either way. Best for the visitors were McDonnell in goals Lee and Farrell in defence Coyne and Connolly in midfield with Sheedy pulling the strings while scorer Doyle was always a threat. Best for the home side were Timmy Doyle both at centre half and when he stepped into goals, Hughes and Connell at the back and Lee Day and Foley and Leonard in the middle of the park and Lee Doyle and Robinson up top. In a very entertaining match Suncroft had some standout performances from their impressive backline of Ryan Leonard, Ryan Farrell and Craig Durney, the energetic and hardworking pair or Josh Lee and Stevie Coyne with goalscorer Eoin Doyle a constant threat to the home side defence.
Newbridge Hotspurs 2 Clane United FC 4
Clane United also maintained their unbeaten record in the League when they overcame Senior League newbies Newbridge Hotspurs on a scoreline of 4-2 on Sunday. The visitors took the lead after five minutes through KDFL Player of the Year Eoghan Maguire following an excellent Crossfield ball by Noel Haverty. Hotspurs began to make in roads into the game and level matters on the twenty fifth minute through Ciaran Glynn. Ten minutes later the home side went 2-1 through Shane Smith before Clane equalised just before the break at 2-2.
The visitors started the second half well and made it 3-2 through Noel Haverty from a goal mouth scramble following a corner. The visitors wrapped up an all round good performance through a Dean Cumiskey backheel following an Eoghan Maguire assist. Best for the winners were Cathal Geoghegan, Dean Cuminskey and Eoghan Maguire. Best for the home side were Scott O’Connor, Mikey Murphy, Robbie Higgins and Hotspurs man of the match Ciaran Glynn.