Senior Focus

Newbridge Hotspurs FC 1 3 Kildare Town AFC

Kildare Town opened their Senior league campaign with a hard - fought victory over a

dogged Newbridge Hotspurs side on Sunday morning. Both sides started a bit nervously

and found it difficult to get control of the game. Leon Tsang saw an effort go just wide on

10 minutes after being set up by Jack Downes who had the home defence on edge all

game. Downes was to the fore again on 25 minutes when some neat footwork saw him

skip past the left full who took him down for a free kick. Josh Burns stepped up, and for

the second game in a row, hit a sweet left footed effort into the bottom corner 1-0 Kildare

were improving as the game progressed and doubled their lead on 35 minutes after a

neat passing move ended with Dylan Connolly sliding a pass to Tsang who hammered his

effort into the top corner.2-0 Newbridge were trying hard to create chances to get back

into the game but the Kildare back four were solid throughout, with Aaron McConville in

particular putting in an impressive defensive display. The second half continued in much

the same fashion as the first with Sean Higgins the busiest of the two goalkeepers. The

third goal arrived on 55 minutes. Jack Downes and Josh Burns combined for Burns to

play a neat ball to Connolly who flicked the ball to substitute Robert Burke who composed

himself and with his first touch of the game finished calmly 3-0 The tempo of the game

understandably dropped from this point and Newbridge began to just edge the

possession as they worked to get themselves back into the game They managed to get

on the scoresheet on 80 minutes when a long throw caused panic in the Kildare box and

Scott O’Donoghue was on hand to tap the ball home 3-1 Kildare managed to see out the

game and almost added a fourth when Leon Tsang had the keeper beaten with a

speculative lob from 30 yards which hit the upright. Best for the victors were Jack Downes

and Leon Tsang in attack and the back four of Mullins Mcconville, Farrell and Burns

Newbridge United FC 2 3 Clonmullion AFC

In a Leinster Heat Pumps Senior Division clash that truly lived up to its billing, league

champions Clonmullion FC snatched a dramatic 3-2 victory away to Newbridge United FC. 

It was a game of "young potential" versus "championship experience," and while Newbridge will feel

devastated to come away with nothing, the contest served as a feisty, high-octane showcase of

Kildare football. The game began with an immediate intensity, as both sides looked to protect their

perfect starts to the season.  The early exchanges were defined by hard tackles and a flurry of yellow

cards as tempers simmered. Clonmullion threatened first through Joseph Doran and Lee Doyle, but

Newbridge’s Ryan Cassin and goalkeeper Kevin McDonnell stood firm. Newbridge grew into the

game, with Ryan Kearney testing Evan Grattan from distance. The breakthrough finally arrived in the

39th minute. Keane Kennedy latched onto a pass from Conor O’Donovan, used his strength to make

his way into the box, and clinically slotted the ball home to give United a 1-0 lead at the break.

Clonmullion showed their pedigree early in the second period, dominating possession and finding an

equalizer in the 51st minute.  A pinpoint Cody Mulhall corner found Chris Chanders at the back post,

who headed home to make it 1-1. The game then descended into a period of frantic, physical play. As

challenges flew in and the atmosphere heated up, the referee was forced to reduce both sides to 10

men.  Despite the numerical disadvantage, the energy remained high. Newbridge’s Keane Kennedy

and Ryan Kearney continued to look dangerous, while Nathan Robinson went close for the visitors.

As the clock hit the 90-minute mark, Newbridge United believed they had secured a famous victory. 

Ryan Kearney unleashed a spectacular "screamer" from 30 yards out that flew over Grattan and into

the top corner, sparking wild celebrations for the hosts.

However, the champions refused to go quietly. In the 95th minute, Jake Nicholl found space outside

the area and struck a composed effort into the bottom corner to level the score at 2-2.

The drama wasn't over. With the very last attack in the 97th minute, a long Shane Foley throw-in

caused chaos in the United box. Chris Chanders reacted quickest, hooking the ball into the net to

complete a stunning turnaround. The final whistle blew seconds later, leaving the Newbridge players

collapsed on the turf in disbelief while the Athy men celebrated a hard-fought three points.

Best were, for Newbridge United: Keane Kennedy, Ryan Kearney, and Glen Bracken and for the

winner Nathan Robinson, Jay Connell, and Man of the Match Chris Chander all excelled.

Old Fort Celtic FC 1 5 Clane United FC

Old fort Hosted Clane On a Fine Sunday Morning for a game that Was Full of attacking intent. The

difference on the Day Fell down to 1 Team being more Clinical than the other With a Very Even affair

Early on The first real chance of the game fell to the Home Side when Staniec powered through a

Long ball and Pulled a fantastic save out of the Young Clane keeper Clane then broke the Deadlock

and Caught the Old fort on the back foot and made it 1-0 Through a Well worked team goal on the

13th minute Old fort Upped the tempo and Created numerous chances through Staniec, and the

inform Scott Coyle on a few occasions, But with Good Defending and goalkeeping the score remained

1-0 for majority of the first half. A Breaking Ball dropped deep and Was Chased down By Rashdi who

Beat the defender and Squared it across the box to make it 2-0 Clane

Old fort Can feel hard done by with the score as they had created the better chances early in the

game The difference was just Clanes Will to be more Clinical in front of goal 3 minutes later Old fort

had 1 back on the score sheet when Scott Coyle linked up with Brian Smith and Patryk Staniec

Staniec was brought down in the box and Ogie Browne Made no mistake from the Spot as he

Converts to make it 2-1 at the Break. An attacking display in the 2nd half Proved Vital when Clane

added 3 Unanswered Goals to the score sheet, The home side Didn't Stop creating chances, but it

wasn't to be on the day for them with to many Missed opportunities, Although the Scoreline Shows a

one sided affair it was far from it. For Clane they proved Very Clinical with their chances and Showed

Why The are always in a run in for the League, While Old fort Lacked the firing power on the day to

convert A few of the chances created throughout the Game. Best On The Day For Old Fort were

Brian Smith and Ogie brown and Patryk Staniec But Old Forts Man of the match on the Day was Scott

Coyle, Proven to be a Real threat all game. Best for the winners Clane were Mark Kelly  Rashdi, and

man of the match Gavin Denton.

Arlington FC 0 2 Coill Dubh AFC

Arlington AFC were beaten 0-2 at home to Coill Dubh AFC, with both goals coming from avoidable

errors in an otherwise competitive performance, the visitors took the lead early in the 9th minute. A

cross into the box wasn’t dealt with defensively, and a missed header allowed Coill Dubh to capitalise

and go 1–0 up.The second goal came on 28 minutes in unfortunate circumstances. A routine situation

turned costly when the ball was spilled by the goalkeeper, allowing Coill Dubh to double their lead.

Despite going in 0-2 down at half-time, Arlington showed a much better level of control and

organisation in the second half. The team worked hard, stayed disciplined and limited further

chances, but couldn’t find the goal needed to get back into the match. Best for the winners were Best

Sean MacMahon Jack O'Brien Man of the Match  was Jamie Mooney.