Seniors Too Strong for Ellistown

Post date: May 16, 2018 10:25:29 PM

The phrase "goals win games" comes to mind as our seniors recorded a 4-8 to 2-8 victory away to Ellistown on Wednesday evening. The weather conditions were ideal for football, with the exception of a light wind, which did not seem to affect either side very much. Kildangan were straight off the mark with a goal from Eric O'Hara; a result of some fine build up play by Luke Barry and Ryan Moran. The Ellistown corner forward followed Eric's effort with a point, before the full forward contributed a goal to put the home side one point up. O'Hara added a point to level the two sides, followed by another from Dermot Hickey to edge the visitors in front. A hard worked Bryan Adams run got the ball to Eric before the ball ended up with Ryan Moran who shot to the back of the net. Moran then scored a free midway through the half. O'Hara was instrumental in Robert McGrath's point which came about as a result of a foul on Ryan Moran. It was almost the twenty-first minute before Ellistown added their next score, which came about from a free. The men in blue and gold followed up this four minutes later. However, Kildangan's goal scoring had not come to an end, as Eric O'Hara converted a penalty, and there was still more to come. Just short of half time, O'Hara kicked the ball in from the left on top of Bryan Adams. An ambitious effort, but Adams worked his way around the keeper to see Kildangan lead 4-4 to 1-3 at half time.

Ellistown started off the better in the second half with a point from one of their midfielders. Damien Broughall won the ball around the centre of the pitch, which made its way to Kevin Christie before Eric O'Hara scored once again, with Ryan Moran also pointing about five minutes in. Nevertheless, the home team were far from dead and buried, and followed up with a goal and five points throughout the half. Kildangan scored only two more points during this period, but it was enough to keep them well ahead of Ellistown.

Following defeats to Kilcullen and Monasterevan, this win really showed Kildangan's capabilities and gave a much-needed boost to the team for the remainder of their league campaign. Captain Eric O'Hara in particular really stood out. We welcome Castledermot to More O'Ferrall Park on Monday, with throw-in at 7.30pm.

Kildangan: John Miller; Conor Mulholland, Jordan Kaye; Kevin Christie, Stephen Keogh; Luke Barry, Damien Broughall; Eric O'Hara, Bryan Adams, Robert McGrath; Ryan Moran, Dermot Hickey

Substitutes: Darragh Kennedy (for Kaye, 40 minutes), Liam McCormack (for McGrath, 48 minutes), Andrew Wilson.

By Andrew Wilson

Thanks to our club secretary, Michael Higgins, for the photographs.