GAA Round-up: O'Mahonys defeated by Gaeil Colmcille while Summerhill make bright start in A FL Div 1
Victories also for Cortown, Oldcastle, Longwood, Dunboyne and Moynalvey in other competitions
Gaeil Colmcille... 0-8
Navan O'Mahonys...0-7
Colin O'Brien
There was never much between the sides in this low-scoring encounter in the opening round of the league, played in Paddy O’Brien Park on Tuesday evening. Gaeil Colmcille edged the victory, with the game in the balance till the closing stages.
Gaeil Colmcille got off to a quick start, with two points from play in the first five minutes. Jake Regan opened scoring for the home side, with a well-placed free. The visitors added another score in the 12th minute.
The sides were level after 18 minutes, following a point from play from Aodhán Mallon and a free from Robbie Keelaghan. With five minutes remaining on the clock, both sides scored in quick succession, with Mallon scoring for the Brews Hill outfit, leaving the sides level at the interval, 0-4 apiece.
The visitors opened the second half scoring with a free within a minute. The best goal opportunity of the game came five minutes into the second half when Gaeil Colmcille were denied not once, but twice in seconds by the lightning reactions of Darragh Murphy. On the third attempt, the ball ended up in the net but a free was given for a square ball.
In the ninth minute, a point from play from Mallon left the sides level again but by midway through the half, Gaeil Colmcille had built up a two point lead.
A point from Keelaghan and a cracker from Regan in the next ten minutes left the sides level with five minutes to go. Both sides had had plenty of opportunities throughout the match and it looked like the spoils would be shared.
With thirty seconds of normal time remaining, Gaeil Colmcille split the posts from a free, enough to get the win in this opening round.
Navan O’Mahonys - Niall Devlin; Darragh Murphy, Mike O’Reilly, Brian Dillon; Evan Brady, Eimhin Power, Aodhan Mallon (0-3); Conor Brady, Cormac Keyes; Conor Finnegan, Oisin O’Brien, Niall McGrane; Jake Regan (0-2), Craig O’Toole, Robbie Keelaghan (0-2). Subs - Duggie Dillon for O’Toole, Ronan Clarke for Keyes, Shane Maguire for O’Brien, Paddy Dillon for Brady, Evan Coffey for Brady.
Gaeil Colmcille report
Gaeil Colmcille oversaw a determined Navan O’Mahonys side in Paddy O’Brien Park on the opening night of the 2024 All County A Leagues Division 1.
A late Brian Hanlon free was enough to see the two points go back up the M3 in this rescheduled fixture after its postponement on Thursday evening.
In a game that finished 0-08 to 0-07 both sides defences can hold their heads high as scores were few and hard to come by. Gaeil Colmcille’s Evan Sheridan opened the scoring in the opening minute after he was excellently picked out by his midfield partner Liam Ferguson.
Four minutes would pass until the second score of the game and Kells doubled their lead thanks to Jonnys Quigley who reaped the awards of a lung bursting run and he smartly chipped the ball over the bar.
O’Mahonys got their first score of the evening in the 11th minute after a quick thinking sideline from Jake Regan resulted in a 14 yard free been given and Regan himself tapped over.
Fionn Smith got Gaeil Colmcille’s third point one minute later after he popped up in the right place to point in what was a collectors item for the corner back.
The home side reacted well to Smiths score and found themselves level on three points each with 18 minutes played. The final third of the half saw just two scores, one from either side as a Hanlon free was cancelled by a point from play by O’Mahonys to leave the sides level at the break on 0-04 each.
Like the first half, Kells got the opening score and this time it was an excellent mark from Oisin Walsh who was making his senior league debut for Gaeil Colmcille to see them lead by one. That would remain the score until the 39th minute until Aodhan Mallon levelled things up for O’Mahonys.
A goal was on the cards for Gaeil Colmcille soon after but Ryan Farnham saw his effort cleared off the line brilliantly by the O’Mahonys defender. The ball then ricocheted to Walsh who found the back of the net but for referee Joseph Curran adjudged Walsh to have been in the square before the ball arrived and the game remained level.
With both sides missing opportunities Alex Williams popped up with a brilliant score on what was his senior league debut also to see Kells lead by one. The Gaeils lead was doubled soon after thanks to Walsh’s second point of the game, this time a wonderful point from play and a fist pump to go along with it.
With 15 minutes remaining you would be forgiven to think the visitors would kick on but the Navan side never gave up and by the 55th minute the sides were once again level this time with Jake Regan hitting a monster score with the outside of his left boot and Robbie Keelaghan getting the equaliser to set up a tense finish.
As the clock struck 60 minutes, a counter attacking move from Kells saw Referee Curran award a free and Hanlon duly obliged to see them take a one point advantage. As O’Mahonys went in search for another equaliser, the Kells defence stood firm as they had all day and vital interceptions from Fionn Smith, James Reilly and Liam Ferguson saw The Gaeils close out the win and opening round two points.
Gaeil Colmcille - Barry Farrelly; Fionn Smith, Rian Early, Paulie Tormay; Jordan Muldoon, Barry Tormay, Jonny Quigley (0-1); Liam Ferguson, Evan Sheridan (0-1); Adam Muldoon, Ryan Farnham, Alex Williams (0-1); Oisin Walsh (0-2), Brian Hanlon (0-2), James Reilly. Subs - Daniel Farrelly for J Muldoon, Liam Barry for Williams, Gary McGovern for Hanlon.
Summerhill...0-14
Skryne....2-7
Summerhill travelled to Skryne on Tuesday evening for the refixed first round A-League Division 1 fixture and carved out a narrow victory.
Despite all the recent inclement weather it was a fine dry evening and the pitch was in decent condition. Following a tough encounter the visitors came away with a hard fought one point win.
Summerhill began to get the game brightly scoring the first three points within the first five minutes all coming from the boot of Conor Frayne.
Skryne got off the mark and in the six minutes with a point of their own but further points from Sean Dalton and another Frayne free extended Summerhill’s lead. Further points from David Larkin, Sean Dalton and a Conor Frayne free saw Summerhill lead by eight points to three after twenty minutes.
As halftime approached Skryne got themselves back into the game with the goal from the penalty spot to reduce the margin to just two points. A point from Padhraig Geraghty on the stroke of half time left to halftime score Summerhill 0-9 Skryne 1-3.
The home side scored the first point of the second-half straight from the throw in to reduce the margin to two points. Summerhill had several opportunities to add to their tally in the early stages of the half but were wasteful in front of goal.
In the ninth minute at the half Skryne were awarded a second penalty which was dispatched to the back of the net to give the home side the lead for the first time in the match. The concession of this goal was compounded by the fact that fullback Jack Davies picked up a second yellow card in conceding the penalty and was duly sent off.
The concession on the second goal seemed to galvanise Summerhill who scored the next three points without reply to retake the lead with another Conor Frayne free as well as points from David Larkin and Sean Dalton.
With 10 minutes remaining the home side cut the deficit again to a single point and it was now their turn to be wasteful in front of goal as they missed several chances to add to their total.
Second-half substitute Daragh Tormey was on the end of a of a good move in the 25th minute to score a point with his first touch in senior football to extend the Summerhill lead back out to two. Another Skryne point was cancelled out by a Diarmuid McCabe effort as the clock ticked into the red.
The home side added further point to cut the deficit to just the minimum but we're unable find the equalising point. Final score Summerhill 0-14 Skryne 2-7.
Special mention also for Manny Magno who made his debut in adult football when coming on as a second half sub.
Summerhill - Sean Muddiman; Iarla Hughes, Jack Davies, Jack Bannon; Padhraig Geraghty (0-1), Conor Ryan, Ben Moran; Adam Flanagan, Kevin Lyons; David Larkin (0-2), Diarmuid McCabe (0-1), Jamie O’Shea; Conor Frayne (0-6, 4f), Sean Dalton (0-3), Kevin Ryan. Subs - Manny Magno for Kevin Lyons, Daragh Tormey (0-1) for Conor Ryan.
TAILTEANN SHIELD
Cortown 1-6
Carnaross 0-8
It may not have been for the purists but the big crowd that descended on Cortown on Thursday night last were treated to an almighty battle that had everyone's undivided attention until the bitter end.
By virtue of topping their group, Cortown had the benefit of home advantage which proved decisive. The sides met in last year's competition and could not be separated on that occasion so everything pointed towards an equally tight tussle this time around.
It was the home side who made the better start on a calm night and kicked the first two scores of the contest, both from the right boot of Oisin Smith off placed-balls.
The first was actually a penalty which was skied over the crossbar by the Trim Celtic man after Mikey Rennicks had got clattered from Ross netminder Conor Kenny. The second was a smartly taken free and Cortown led by two after five minutes.
The visitors gradually warmed to their task however and would kick five out of the next six scores to wrestle the initiative off their hosts.
Cortown did have several opportunities in this time but Kenny stood firm on these occasions, a monster score from Mossy Plunkett the highlight during this time.
The quality of Paddy McDermott was evident as his rasping shot was touched over by the fingertips of Colm McGearty at the expense of a point.
However, in general Cortown were well set up defensively and tackling with a great level of intensity. Davy Rispin posted the final score of the opening period from a free to narrow the deficit to two at the interval, 0-3 to 0-5.
The closely fought nature of the game continued into the second half with Theo Staunton, Daragh Smith, Luca Brady and Rennicks all excelling throughout the field.
After Smith was blocked down from close range, McGearty wound up from the resulting 45 with his effort just falling short but a deft flick from Rispin had the ball in the back of the Carnaross net and Cortown led again.
Smith tapped over a free before he was issued with a black card and Martin McGovern's charges reduced to 14 men for a 10 minute spell.
The workrate was ferocious from the men in yellow with Ciaran Keating, Daragh O'Halloran, Hugh Staunton and Charlie Smith all making vital contributions.
The away side did restore parity through a superb McDermott effort but Cortown weren't to be denied. Rennicks blasted over from close range and a Rispin free had Cortown two to the good again.
Carnaross replied courtesy of a dubious free but Smith reintroduced following his black card, tapped over to add a cushion once more. McDermott converted an acute free but Cortown battened down the hatches and thanks to valuable contributions from the likes of Stevie Clarke and Brían Smith, held firm for a memorable win.
Cortown face a heavy fixture schedule between first and second team League's in the coming weeks pitted with a final against either Kilmainhamwood and Moynalty sandwiched in-between in a fortnight's time but they'll approach these with a fair degree of confidence on the back of this success.
Cortown - Colm McGearty; Micky Costello, Theo Staunton, Barry Canning; Daragh Smith, Charlie Staunton, Ciaran Keating; Daragh O'Halloran, Luca Brady; Elliot Reilly, Hugh Staunton, Mikey Rennicks (0-1); Davy Rispin (1-2 two frees), Tommy Smith, Oisin Smith (0-3 two frees one pen). Subs - Stevie Clarke for O'Halloran, Brían Smith for T Smith, Ivor O'Halloran for Reilly, John McGearty for Keating.
Referee - Raymond Tynan (Virginia).
CARNAROSS REPORT
Cortown... 1-6
Carnaross... 0-8
Shane McNiffe
Cortown will be playing the N2 Electrical Tailteann Shield final after beating Carnaross by the minimum in a keenly contested encounter.
Cortown began brightly with the first two scores of the night. Their first point arrived courtesy of a wayward penalty and the second from a free. Paddy McDermott stemmed the tide with a timely point from play before midfielder Tomas Plunkett levelled proceedings.
The large crowd were treated to a game full of intensity but low on end product. Both teams were guilty of wasting clear cut chances as the game progressed.
Paddy McDermott and David Rispin exchanged long range frees before Carnaross raised the final two white flags of the first half.
First McDermott brought his individual tally to three before Darragh O’Reilly converted from an acute angle to leave the visitors ahead 0-5 to 0-3 at the break.
The second half began with a bang as the Cortown keeper struck a 45 well leading to a goal, much to the delight of the boisterous home crowd. McDermott replied with another free to level the tie for the third time.
Cortown regained the lead after 40 minutes with Rispin converting another long range free. The game was hanging on a knife edge as both teams began to empty the tank. Paddy McDermott popped up with the visitors best score of the game, converting from the edge of the D, with two Cortown defenders left in his wake.
Tackles , as well as legs, became heavier but Cortown nudged ahead with Mikey Rennicks’ direct running yielding dividends. Carnaross spurned various opportunities to close the gap to the minimum, with their discipline letting them down.
Eventually Paddy McDermott reduced the gap to a solarity point as the seconds ticked towards full time. Carnaross had a number of half chances to draw level but Cortown held firm to emerge deserving victors.
Carnaross were best served on the night by the returning Cian O’Reilly, the evergreen James O’Connor and the Yore brothers, Cormac and Oisín.
Carnaross - Conor Kenny; Jack Roche, James O’Connor, John Reilly; Shane Yore, Cian O’Reilly, Cormac Yore; Oisín Yore, Tomas Plunkett (0-1); Kian Farrelly, Darragh O’Reilly(0-1), Shane O’Reilly; Oisín Farrelly, Paddy McDermott (0-6, 4fs), Cormac O’Reilly. Subs - Luke Gillic for Cormac O’Reilly, Dillon Fox for Shane O’Reilly, Dermot McGee for Kian Farrelly and Ian Donoghue for Jack Roche.
CORN NA BOINNE
Oldcastle... 0-10
St. Patrick's... 0-6
Ealma Purcell
This Corn na Boinne encounter was played in perfect conditions, under lights at Millbrook last night (Wednesday) with the home side prevailing by four points.
St. Pat's were first on the scoreboard, with a point from the first play.
Seven minutes passed before the next score, which came from a lovely Ronan Maguire intercept, over to Jason Scully on the far side and in to Keith Connell who fired her over perfectly.
The kick-out came to Garrett O’Reilly who chipped her in to the waiting Scully and over for another nice score. St Pat's applied pressure soon after but Sean Maxwell saved the day with a great block on the ground, but they levelled it soon after with a point, then went ahead with another.
The kick-out was fisted on by Oran Mulvanny, finding Keith Connell and in to Robbie Farrelly for a score.
Another save was executed by Sean Maxwell soon after, before a fantastic point from CJ, and another score from Robbie Farrelly left the half-time score Oldcastle 0-5, St. Pats 0-3.
Within five minutes of the restart, St. Pat’s had taken three points in a row to go ahead, and were looking for a goal, denied by another super Sean Maxwell save, a busy man!
A clearance from Cian McPartland to Oran O’Reilly, on to Steven Lawless, to Conor Delaney, back to Steven and on to Lee Healy, over to Oran Mulvanny, to Keith, back to Oran, to Conor again, on to Jason Scully, to Steven once more, on to Ben Grey, to Conor again then back to Oran Mulvanny once more. "Enough of this," he said and with a wee run and a super kick he put the ball between the posts, a lovely score to kickstart Oldcastle again.
A nice ball from Garrett to Farrelly resulted in the next point, with Robbie converting a free soon after, following some great work from Pearse Sheridan.
Yet another save from Maxwell was required, the ball out to Jason, on to Ben who was fouled; Robbie converted. The kickout was taken by Oldcastle, to CJ on the sideline, to Keith, back to CJ, on via Darren Hawdon, to Sean Maxwell making a run upfield, on to Oran O’Reilly, to Oran Mulvanny, to Robbie and Keith and finally back to CJ Healy who took a lovely score, to leave the final score Oldcastle 0-10, St. Pats 0-06 - and the Corn na Boinne final to look forward to!
Oldcastle - Sean Maxwell, Oran O’Reilly, Cian McPartland, Darren Hawdon, Lee Healy, Steven Lawless, Ronan Maguire, Oran Mulvanny (0-1), Pearse Sheridan , Conor Delaney, Jason Scully (0-01), Keith Connell (0-1), CJ Healy (0-2), Robbie Farrelly (0-5), Garrett O’Reilly. Subs - Ben Grey, Paddy Gilsenan, Louis Colleran.
RESERVE CUP
Longwood...1-8
Moynalty... 0-6
Declan Dixon
Longwood’s second team maintained their early season form with a hard-fought victory against a dogged Moynalty team on Wednesday evening in the Reserve Cup Div 3 semi-final.
Amazingly after a dry day, Longwood’s pitch was an oasis of green in a county seemingly submerged in water.
Despite the pitch looking well, the underfoot conditions were very heavy and this seemed to effect the Longwood boys in the second half, understandable given that this was their second game in 48 hours.
But semi-finals, regardless of the competition, are all about winning and Longwood did enough to get over the line. Their reward is a place in the final against Meath Hill or Ballinabrackey. Nothing easy there!
Longwood - Kevin Maguire, Jason Kerrigan, Cian O’Sullivan, Coyle O’Brien, Adam O’Brien (0-1), Tomás O’Brien, Lorcan Hannon, Ciaran Sheridan, Bob Maguire, Gavin Griffith (0-2), Sean Sheridan, Louis Butler (0-2), Adrian Maguire, Anthony Healy (1-2), Sam Dixon (0-1). Subs - Ben McLoughlin for O’Sullivan, Adam Peacock for Kerrigan, Ross Healy for Hannon.
Moynalty's report
Moynalty made the long trip down to Longwood on Wednesday evening for the Quarryland Construction Reserve Cup Div 3 semi-final. It was a dominant display for the homeside in the opening half hour, with Longwood flying out of the traps and capitalising on individual errors.
Dylan Farrelly scored the only point of the first half for the visitors. Half time score Longwood 1-7 Moynalty 0-1.
Moynalty found their feet in the second half with the introduction of Jude Gilsenan and Jake Smyth sparking them into life.
A tactical reshuffle saw Anthony Nevin move into the full forward line and he was a constant thorn in the side of Longwood for the second half. Moynaltys forwards forced some impressive stops from Longwood's goalkeeper however the scoreline from the first half proved too much to overcome in the end.
Moynalty's defence kept Longwood to a single point in the second half, and the second half performance all round gives plenty of positives before the Football League Division 9 kicks off next Thursday against Drumbaragh.
Moynalty - T Owens; K Farrelly, L Brogan, M Lynch; D Gargan, P Reilly, N Gilsenan; A Nevin (0-1), R Owens; J Farrell N McKenna, D Farrelly (0-1); P Olwill, C O'Reilly, J Lynch (0-2). Subs - Jude Gilsenan (0-2), J Smyth, M Collins, K Cussen, J McEntee.
Dunboyne...1-10
Gaeil Colmcille...0-6
Dunboyne's second string produced a stirring second half display on St Patrick's Day to advance to the Reserve Cup Div. 1 final.
Fielding a youthful lineup - averaging just 19 in age and including a handful of last season's victorious Minor footballers - the black and ambers were deadlocked with their opponents (0-03 apiece) at the break, but a Ciaran McCormack goal set them on their way to a comfortable victory.
Scorers - D. Hickey (0-5), C. McCormack (1-0), C. Melia (0-2), A. Howlin, L. Conway and O. McGovern (0-1 each).
Dunboyne - J. Dillon; C. Martin, M. Daly, P. McGuirk; A. Howlin, C. Melody, C. Smith; L. Conway, D. Delaney; L. Kelly, J. Felle, E. McCrudden; C. Melia, S. McNulty, D. Hickey. Subs - C. McCormack for Daly, J. Kelly for Martin, C. O'Reilly for Howlin, C. Felle for J. Felle, O. McGovern for McCrudden, C. Joyce for Melia, B. Cunningham for Hickey.
Moynalvey...2-12
Curraha...1-6
Paul Greene
Moynalvey and Curraha commenced their Div. 9 league campaign at Joe McDermott Park Curraha on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon 18th March with the visitors running out comfortable nine point winners in the end.
Despite the visitors trailing 0-6 to 0-2 at half time, it was a dominant second half performance which saw Caoimhin King’s side come away with the two points on offer in this opening round game of the Div 9 football league, sponsored by proud Moynalvey man Paul Conneely of PMC Physiotherapy, who also doubles up as the lead physiotherapist for the Meath Senior Football panel.
Despite all the rain over recent days, the Curraha pitch held up well to host this game, but conditions were slightly underfoot and a tricky swirling wind to contend with for both sides, as the tale of two halves would suggest.
With the wind at their backs and playing into the clubhouse end it was the home side who took an early lead with a brace of points, before Moynalvey got off the mark with a Vinny Walsh effort in the fifth minute.
Curraha made it three points to one on the quarter hour mark, with Willie Harnan responding sixty seconds later for Moynalvey’s second and final point of the half. The home side went on to hit a further three points in the second quarter to leave it 0-6 to 0-2 when referee Seamus O’Connor blew his half time whistle.
The second half was a one sided affair with Moynalvey using the wind at their backs and playing down the slight hill to their advantage to outscore their opponents 2-10 to 1-0 in the second period.
Vinny Walsh started Moynalvey’s second half dominance when splitting the uprights seven minutes after the restart. A ninety second period in the lead up to the mid-way point of the half changed the complexion of the game with two quick fire Moynalvey goals within ninety seconds.
The first palmed home by Barry Walsh after a searing run by the same player who interlinked with William Harnan in the build up for the game’s first goal; and the second also palmed to the net from close range, this time by Harnan, to leave it 2-4 to 0-6 to the visitors.
Moynalvey never looked back from this point and almost kept the host side scoreless in the second half, but for a consolation penalty with the last kick of the game. Following the two goals, Moynalvey kicked on with points from Michael Brady, William Harnan, Anthony Brien (3), Barry Walsh, Vinny Walsh and David Durkan to leave the full time score read 2-12 to 1-6 to Moynalvey.
Best for the men in maroon in this contest were Michael Brady, David Donoghue, Barry Walsh, William Harnan and Anthony Brien.
With games coming thick and fast from here on, its’s the turn of Moynalvey’s Div. 2 league side to make their 2024 bow when they travel to take on Trim on Wednesday night for an 8pm throw-in.
Moynalvey - Ray Ryan; Cillian Kelly, Michael Brady (0-1), David Durkan (0-1); Barry Walsh (1-1), David Donoghue, Patrick Roddy; Stephen Donoghue, Eoin Corrigan; Ronan Thompson, William Harnan (1-2), Luke O’Halloran; Anthony Brien (0-3), Vinny Walsh (0-3, 1f), John Donoghue. Subs - Darragh Branigan for Durkan, Aidan Gilsenan for Thompson, Conor Quinn (0-1) for Roddy, Alan Donnelly for O’Halloran, Thompson for J. Donoghue, Durkan for Brady, Roddy for V. Walsh.
A FL DIV 3
Kilmainham 0-12
Nobber 1-8
John O'Brien
Nobber kick-started their Division 3 league campaign on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon last, welcoming Kilmainham to their home grounds.
A mixed day weatherwise with conditions during the first half proving favourable, however, they took a turn in the second half, with both teams trying to navigate slippy and wet conditions. A mixed day for the Nobber men in terms of performance and scoring and one could say it was a game of two halves.
The black and ambers started brightly with some well-taken scores by midfielder Dean Halpin and full forward Aodhan McEntee. The first quarter proved a tight affair, however Nobber pushed on leading into the half-time break, enjoying the majority of the possession and using it well.
Further scores from Conor Owens, Dean Halpin, Niall Farrell, and Paddy Clarke left the Deesiders going into the break with a healthy 0-7 to 0-3 lead.
As the rain started to fall, Kilmainham started to up a couple of gears after the half-time break scoring three without response leaving just the minimum between the sides. Six minutes into the second half the Nobber men were awarded a free 15, 20 yards from the goal.
The hugely experienced Niall Farrell saw an opportunity and took advantage of the Kilmainham defence who were unaware of the danger and kicked low and hard to the back of the net.
Martin Morgan’s charges swiftly followed this up with a well-taken score by Dale Larkin with 17 minutes remaining on the clock. This proved to be Nobber’s final score of the game. Kilmainham drove hard at the Nobber defence in the final quarter and continued to chip away at the lead.
In truth, the black and ambers had opportunities to add to their tally but it wasn’t to be their day as Kilmainham held on to record the win.
Nobber will be disappointed with their second-half performance but will be keen to take the positives and work on improvements for the next day.
A short turnaround for the North Meath men who travel to the other side of the county on Saturday afternoon to face Kilbride at 4pm. Also, congratulations to Evan Nelson on making his senior adult debut for the club.
Nobber - Dary Hutchinson; Tony McEntee, Eanna Fagan, Barry Cassidy; Kian Donohoe Niall Farrell (1-1), Barry Bradley, Conor Owens (0-2); Dean Halpin (0-2), Paddy Clarke (0-1); Karl Casserly, Dale Larkin (0-1), Joe Tierney; Aodhan McEntee (0 – 1), Scott Farrell. Subs - Evan Nelson, Jonny Donohoe.
Kilmainham's report
Harry Newman
Will it go ahead will not go ahead? This was the talk in Kilmainham all weekend and I am sure in Nobber as both teams waited around all weekend to see whether this match would be played.
Could it not have waited until a nice summers evening to be played, particularly the weekend that was in it?
The County Board asked all home clubs fixed to play today to do a pitch inspection at 10am on the morning of the game. We got word from Nobber that their pitch was good to go and that the game was going ahead on Monday 18th March.
The pitch was very heavy as expected due to all the rain the past few weeks. A strong wind made conditions very difficult for both sides.
Nobber played with the wind in the first half. They looked to break with speed and get quick ball into their full forward line.
Scores were hard to get for both teams. There was plenty of possession that would resemble a mini sided training match with very little end product. A few break away scores by Nobber at the end of the first half gave them the edge going in at half time, 0-7 to 0-3.
There was no panicking in the Kilmainham dressing at half time as we knew we could only get better in the second half.
The message at half time was to keep clawing the game back by taking our points. With the wind at our backs that’s exactly what happened as we chipped away at the home sides lead.
Dylan Morgan was starting to find his range and was judging the wind perfectly as he converted a number of frees as Nobber were starting to struggle to get out of their own half. Kilmainham were much more direct in the second half, and this resulted in a number of fouls on our players that were converted by Morgan.
Kilmainham were completely on top and took the lead as the match headed for full time. Nobber had to work very hard for their scores and carry the ball from deep against a strong wind.
To be fair they had their chances to at least draw this match, especially in the last few minutes as they blasted over the bar with a goal chance on and a Niall Farrell free came back off the post with time up.
Kilmainham were nearly made pay for some poor decision making with time up. Relief at the final whistle for Kilmainham as they held on for a one-point win. A great start to our league campaign.
It was brilliant to welcome back Andy Arkins and Kieran Needle from injury and to see the experienced, Johhny Quinlan, Richie Brady, Barry Lynch and Trevor Lynch all contributing to a real panel effort.
Best for Kilmainham were Dylan Morgan, Harry Newman, Seanie Mahon and Larry Morgan.
We now turn our attention to the semi-final of the Tailteann cup against Slane which is fixed for Wednesday 27th March at 8pm in Dunganny.
Kilmainham - Dean Peppard; Padraig Caffrey, Harry Newman, Stephen Newman; Phily Mahon, Seanie Mahon (0-1), Declan Mullen; Larry Morgan, Ger Morgan; Shane Butler, Dylan Morgan (0-9), Stephen Woods; Paul Farrelly (0-1), Mark Newman (0-1), Richie Brady. Subs - Barry Lynch for Ger Morgan, Andy Arkins for Stephen Woods, Trevor Lynch for Phily Mahon and Johnny Quinlan for Richie Brady.