Post date: Jul 14, 2014 11:37:53 PM
Kildangan under 13s secured a share of the spoils when drawing against Kilcullen in Round two of the South Board U13 league Sunday morning, with a final scoreline of Kildangan 4:04, Kilcullen 1:13.
Key to the final result was a brilliant display by Kildangan keeper Sean McDonald and a number of well-worked Kildangan goals.
The game started at a blistering pace, with Kilcullen registering a goal and a point before the game was 10 minutes old. Oisin Hyland replied with a brace of points for Kildangan, however Kilcullen were rampant in the first half; with the half drawing to a close the scoreboard read eight points in favour of the home side to Kildangan's two.
Then, just as the ref was about to blow for the break, Kildangan centre forward Dylan Fitzgerald won the ball on the 45 metre line, and showed a deft turn of speed before blasting the ball to the back of the Kilcullen goal to leave the visitors trailing by three at the break.
On the resumption Eoin O Fearghail got on the end of a good move to add a point to the Kildangan tally, Kilcullen were still kicking the points and looking for goals. Kildangan keeper Sean McDonald proved equal to the task, stopping several point blank shots to keep Kildangan in the game.
With a quarter of the game remaining the tide turned in Kildangan's favour. First up was Dylan Fitzgerald, who once more proved lethal in front of goal, with a brilliant effort to the back of the Kilcullen net.
This seemed to give the Kildangan team heart, as Daniel Gilbert bore down on goal he was taken down in the square, he duly converted the resulting penalty to leave the scoreline 3:03 to 0:10.
Kilcullen looked flustered; from the kick-out the ball went straight to the aforementioned Daniel, he ran straight at the Kilcullen goal and gave the keeper no chance with a point blank shot to the back of the net.
Kildangan were five up, against the run of play. Regaining composure, Kilcullen went looking for goal. Once more Sean McDonald, aided by full back Ben Keogh and corner back Niall Callan kept them at bay with tenacious defending. Eventually despite the best efforts of the Kildangan defence Kilcullen made the breakthrough, putting the ball beyond the keepers reach to leave Kildangan two in front.
Kilcullen added a point from the kick-out, Kildangan replied with a pointed effort by Daniel Gilbert, however with legs tiring from the gallant defensive effort Kilcullen were able to draw level thanks to a duo of well worked points.
Kilcullen might consider themselves unlucky to only share the spoils, however the old saying still holds true; "goals win games".
Next up for Kildangan is a home fixture against Athy, Wednesday evening 16th, followed by an away game to Raheens on Sunday 20th.
Kildangan Team; Oran Phelan, Dylan Fitzgerald, Joey O Sullivan, Ethan Rowley, Robert Kearns, Oisin Hyland, Eoghan O Fearghail, Niall Callan, Joseph Prendergast, Ben Keogh, Daniel Gilbert, Sean Mc Donald, Sean Fitzgerald, John Kelly, Cian Murtagh, Cormac Finnegan, Rory Mc Grath, Mark O Donovan, Cian O Dowd