Seniors Secure Semi-Final Spot

Post date: Jun 4, 2019 11:45:27 AM

Kildangan v Rathcoffey Senior Reserve League Div.4 Quarter Final 27th May 2019

The Kildangan senior team are through to the semi-final of the Division 4 Senior Reserve League following last weeks 1-14 to 2-10 win over Rathcoffey in Rathcoffey GAA. Rathcoffey topped group A of division 4 with 4 wins from 5, while Kildangan put in a huge effort throughout the group stage to earn 3 wins from 5 and this great form stood to them in the quarter final last week.

A heavy shower before kick off made for very slippery and wet conditions for the game. Both teams took time to adjust to the conditions with Rathcoffey opening the scoring after 5 and a half minutes, closely followed by a well taken Eric O’Hara free. This score helped Kildangan to find their feet and give them confidence to pass the ball in long to our corner forward Conor Corrigan who took it, running in towards goal and reading the play well was able to set up Dara Gilbert for a fantastic goal, giving us a three point lead.

Frees were then exchanged at each end before we saw three fantastic efforts from Stephen Keogh, Eric O Hara and Damien Broughall go over giving us a 1-5 to 0-3 lead. Then heading into the final few minutes of the half saw the teams exchanging points at each end, before Dara Gilberts rebounded a well saved goal chance over the bar, leaving the score at 1-7 to 0-5.

Kildangan had a lively start to the second half scoring two points through Conor Corrigan after having another goal chance saved. Rathcoffey were quick to respond though, scoring a point before they cut through the heart of our defence to score a goal. But the team regrouped well and Kevin Christie dominated the midfield throughout this period leading to good scores taken by both Eric O Hara and Dara Gilbert, giving us a 1-13 to 1-9 lead.

But Rathcoffey came back strong looking to stage a comeback and a good defensive performance from Kildangan were keeping them out but an unfortunate foot block close to goal lead to a penalty being awarded and scored by Rathcoffey. Kildangan were able to hold on though in the final few minutes of injury time to claim a one point win.

This game was an entertaining one with plenty of stand-out performances, but improvements can always be made! The result of this game sees Kildangan through to the semi-final of the competition where they will take on Athgarvan at home on Monday 17^th June at 7:30pm.

Kildangan: Shane Stafford, Arron Behan, Luke Barry, Sean McDonald, Conor Fullam, Paul Connaughton, Eoghan Ó Fearghaíl, Kevin Christie, Robert McGrath, Oisin Hyland, Eric O’ Hara (0-4), Stephen Keogh (0-1), D Gilbert (1-5), Damien Broughall (0-2), Conor Corrigan (0-2).

Substitutes: Conor Mulholland for Stephen Keogh, Stephen Keogh for Oisin Hyland