League Cup action !
Coill Dubh AFC 3 2 Newbridge Hotpsurs FC.
The Lumsden Cup has always had a very special place in our hearts at Coill Dubh AFC, Tony played a
leading role on our committee in early 90s as club secretary.
The Dubh's were up against a well drilled Newbridge side who came with a good game plan, and
almost pulled it off. In early exchanges hotspurs were looking the more lively side playing a very
direct game, with Murphy and Donahoe up front causing many problems for Dubh's defence.
Against the run of play Dubh's took the lead on the twenty second minute when Conor Brady
intercepted the ball from Newbridge keeper to slot home into the empty net to put the home side 1-
0 up. This did not affect hotspurs as they continued to dominate in the middle of the park and from
set pieces as they got a deserving equaliser from there centre half.
At this stage Dubh's were struggling to get any foothold on game 1-1 HT.
Coill Dubh management rang the changes bringing on Sean Hannon and Barry Noone. In fifty third
minute hotspurs were dealt a blow when reduced to ten men and then the Dubh's took the lead
again when good play from Sean Mac Mahon found Barry Noone whose effort was blocked falling to
Sean Hannon who rattled the net from fifteen yards. Hotspurs despite down to ten men were
causing havoc in Coill Dubh defence and soon were awarded a penalty when Trevor McDonald took
down a Newbridge forward. Regarded as one of the best shot stoppers in the league, Luke Anderson
pulled off one of many saves on the night. As the game entered final quarter, Newbridge were
pushing hard for equaliser and again Dubh's defence failed to deal with Kelly shot despite Anderson
getting fingers on it. With extra time looming there was be one more twist and Sean Hannon was to
be Coill Dubh's hero with a ninetieth min winner with a great assist from Billy McNamee, Hannon
almost got his hattrick only for the Newbridge keeper and woodwork. While it was a win for Dubh's,
hotspurs deserved a lot of credit and were the better side for much of the game. Newbridge had fine
performance from Hatita and Doyle in defence, Kelly & Glynn in midfield and up-front Donohoe and
Murphy. For Coill Dubh Sean MacMahon in a more advanced role, Barry Noone and two goal hero
Sean speedy Hannon. Luke Anderson whose heroics in Coill Dubh goals was a deserving man of the
match.
Clane United FC 3 2 Rathangan AFC
When these teams meet in recent seasons they tend to bring the best out in each other . Clane
started well with plenty of nice football without really troubling Rathangan. Rathangan took the lead
in the opening twenty minutes as Arun Doyle spun and unleashed a shot just inside the Clane half
which had John ball scramblings back towards his goal and could only parry the ball out to lee Moore
who reacted quickest to make it 1 0. Doyle and Moore were creating problems for Clane and Moore
doubled the lead on the half hour as he got in behind the Clane defence and made no mistake .
Clane went close to pulling one back as Gavin O Dwyer hit the top of the crossbar from close range
from a set piece from Ciaran Kelly . Cathal Geoghegan also had a header from a Another Kelly
delivery go wide . Rathangan sitting Back protecting their lead still looked a danger on the break .
Moore broke free again similar to his second goal one and one with ball but this time ball made the
save which would have it made it very difficult for Clane to stay alive in the cup as the visitors went
in 2 up at the break.
Clane came out very strong in the second half and piled the pressure on and two minutes in Maguire
broke down the right flank and crossed low for the incoming dean Comiskey to pull one back . Clane
in full control soon made it 2 2 when Ciaran Kelly expertly finished Just inside the box. Clane who
seemed to be winning every 50 50 now had a great chance to take the lead as Maguire was clean
through on Craig Shannon who saved and somehow got up to deny Kelly from the rebound . On the
seventieth minute Clane’s comeback was complete when Dean Comiskey smartly finished from close
range . Clane looked the more likely to add the next goal as the away side looked jaded from the
comeback. To Rathangan’s credit they dug deep and in the closing stages ball was forced into two
smart saves from close range . Best for Clane Dean Comiskey Geoghegan, Kelly and Gavin O Dwyer
and Killian Pathcell superb second half after getting to grips with the impressive Doyle and Moore
who caused them problems in the first half .
League Shield Action !
Celbridge Town AFC 1 2 Ballycane Celtic FC
Ballycane looked to put recent defeats behind them with a good showing in the Lumsden shield
away to Celbridge Town on Wet Saturday evening.
Celbridge grabbed an early opening goal after the seven minutes against the run of play. Ballycane
not deterred by the early set-back played some tidy football out from the back with Bubba Doyle
and Keelan Noone linking the play well. Callum o Reilly applied a brilliant finish to a Hazzard
through ball after 20 minutes to level the score for the cane. Ballycane in total control of the tie at
this stage and should of crept ahead of numerous occasions with Jake O Reilly and Herbert both
going close to breaking the deadlock. Ballycane grab the lead on the half hour mark when Keelan
Noone latched on to a Bubba Doyle header to score a superb volley to put Ballycane in the lead at
the break.
Celbridge Town came out strong in the second half and played some good football without any real
scoring opportunities. Ballycane were under pressure for twenty minute spell but were organised at
the back with Doyle, Byrne, Aylesbury and O Sullivan impervious to the danger. Ballycane just
couldn't find the same consistency as the first half and were guilt of squandering possession on a
number of occasions. Craig Byrne and O Reilly had some good attacking runs down the left flank but
couldn't work a clear cut chance .
The final chance of the game was well work by Ballycane a excellent whipped in ball by Sam Allison
found the right boot of Noone who applied neat volley and was heading for the back of the net but
for an excellent save by the Celbridge keeper who had a fine game.Best for Ballycane on the day
were both O Reilly’s, Craig Byrne, Keelan Noone and Man of the Match Bubba Doyle.
Caragh Celtic 2 SPWFC 0
Premier side Caragh Celtic overcame Senior League side St. Patricks Well FC on Sunday to progressed
to the quarter final stages of the KDFL League shield. On a lovely morning for football on a top
quality pitch, a scrappy and competitive local derby was played out in Sharpe Park.
Caragh started the brighter and went ahead after wonderful play from Billy Martin, he turned three
defenders inside out and was brought down with the ref left with no option but to point to the
penalty spot. Up stepped Eoghan Merriman who made no mistake in putting it past the SPWFC
keeper. Caragh took this 1-0 lead. After going behind the visitors continued to dominate possession
but without creating much in the way of clear-cut chances. Their best chance of the half fell the way
of Danny Callan who flicked the ball just wide of the Caragh netminder’s post on thirty three minutes
following a well-worked move involving Sheldon Mbala, Reece McClaughlin and Jamie Headon.
The Old Bog Road men made a number of positional changes after the break and resultantly looked
more threatening in the final third with James Maher, Danny Callan and McLaughlin all threatening
the opposition goal however they could not break down the Caragh backline of Barry Cassidy in
goals and a back 4 of Cathal O'Toole, Adam Delmer, Sean Leeson and Alan Campbell.
It was a scrappy affair in the second half with lots of 50/50s but it was Caragh who nearly went two
up after Tony Farrell won a 50/50 tackle in the midfield and he got up to slide a through ball for
Stephen Riordan whose shot was well save by the keeper. At the other end McLaughlin would go
close again in the seventy eight minute when he flashed a header just wide but just as it looked an
equaliser was coming for the top flight outfit
With the game heading in to injury time Caragh sealed the game when substitute Brian Merrigan
won a header outside his own box and continued his run up the wing, the loose ball fell to Tony
Farrell in the middle and he the slid an inch perfect through ball for Merrigan and he expertly slid the
ball past the keeper to deservedly seal the game for the home side.
Excellent performances on the day by all in the Caragh jersey with standout performances from
Cathal O'Toole, Sean Leeson, Tony Farrell, Dean Heavey, Stephen Riordan and MOTM Adam Delmer
while for SPWFC Sheldon and Marvin Mbala, Richard Kenna, James Maher and Jamie Headon were
best on the day.
Suncroft AFC 1 3 Kilcullen AFC
Both teams arrived in good form with some decent recent results into a keenly anticipated Lumsden
Cup Quarter final on a perfect pitch in Suncroft Community Grounds.With both teams having beaten
the other away from home in the league 3:1, it was always going to be a close game. Kilcullen
started well, playing some good possession football with Darren Kilbey rolling back the years and
showing why his class, holding the ball up well up front and bringing others into the game. Both
Mark Wolfe and the ever willing Doyler on each wing supported and ran at the Suncroft defence
from the start.
Kilcullen took the lead on twenty minutes when Doyle broke into the box, turned and was taken
down by Suncoft full back. Up stepped Mark Wolfe and cooly slotted the penalty away.The visitors
went two nil up when a Mark Wolfe shot was parried by the Suncroft keeper and the ball fell to Paul
Clifford who arrived into the box to slot the ball away. The first half finished 2 nil Kilcullen.
Suncroft started the second half very well and pressed the Kilcullen goal and were rewarded with a
goal when a cross wasn’t dealt with and landed to Kieron Morris who chipped the ball across the
Kilcullen goal and landed in the corner of the net. Game on, it would be fair to say Suncroft gave
their all and any team with Sheehy, Morris, Connolly and Kinsella in there midfield are going to
deliver and make chances. Alas the Scanlon brother and Shane Higgins defended as they have done
all season and created a platform for Rob Lee, Paul Clifford and Murph to drive their team on.
Victory for Kilcullen was delivered as it often has this season with the left foot of Mark Wolfe
delivering and unstoppable shot to the top corner.The game finished 3:1 Kilcullen. Best for Suncroft ,
Kinsella and Sheehy. Best for Kilcullen, Doyle, Scanlon Brothers, Woulfe but Shane Higgins showed
his class today