Junior B Footballers off to a flyer in Championship!
As you can see from Results and Match Reports on this site our club had a really great day last Sunday when all 4 Junior Championship teams won their games. This is an account of how our 3rd adult team achieved their success. Many thanks to all teams that have submitted reports - much appreciated by members generally and the more interested supporters who couldn't possibly be at all the games. It is easy to do - just click on "Submit Content" and take it from there. Keep up the good work!
The AFL7 footballers, under the stewardship of Football Chairman Pat Lamb, got their Junior B championship campaign under way on Sunday 25th April against Thomas Davis in Kiltipper Road after receiving a BYE in the opening round. On what was initially a perfect morning for football, as soon as the referee went to throw the ball in the heavens opened and the rain lashed down. It was a game played at championship pace from the start with hard, committed tackles and work ethic to the fore against a strong and highly motivated Davis team with considerable & vocal support on the sideline.
Thomas Davis started brightly and notched up two quick points with Kilmacud coming out on the wrong side of nearly all the early refereeing decisions. Kilmacud however, through some excellent defending by John O'Callaghan, Michael John Keane & man of the match David Sweeney in particular, came back into the game strongly.The game took a turn before half time when the Thomas Davis wing back was sent off for a very late challenge on Sweeney. At this point Kilmacud began to take advantage of the extra man and mounted intense pressure with midfielders Conor "High Tower" Ward & Eoghan Shanky-Smith coming into the game strongly. Kilmacud were eventually rewarded after some excellent work by Niall Mulligan and the inspirational Mark Duncan with a brilliantly taken goal by Davey Kehoe.
Thomas Davis also found the net in the first half after a dangerous high ball to the square was fisted to the net. After sustained pressure on the Kilmacud defence the game turned once again with half forward Stephen Mooney brilliantly turning over the ball on his own full back line and winning a free. This decision seemed to rally the Kilmacud lads and shift the momentum again.
After the half time break, Kilmacud started brightly and took control of the game. The influence of Jude O'Reilly in his new forward position was instrumental in curtailing an excellent Davis centre back whilst also adding menace and physicality to the forward line. Another well taken goal by Kehoe had Kilmacud in the driving seat which they never relinquished for the rest of the game.The defence were again excellent in the second half keeping Davis to only two scores from placed balls. After going 5 points ahead with 10 minutes to play, Kilmacud conceded a penalty which threatened to spark a revival from Davis. The introduction of Louis Dockery proved inspired as he weighed in with three crucial points to make the game safe for Kilmacud who were also boosted by the introductions of Sean Gallagher & Cillian Motherway.
An excellent performace from Kilmacud who were full value for the victory, after performances so far this season that were not fully rewarded. Special thanks must go to Kevin Doheny whose excellent training sessions in recent weeks were a key factor in the result. Next up is a quarter final on 11th May against last years Junior C Championship winners St. Oliver Plunketts in what will be another tough test. Match details will be posted under Fixtures on this site. All support would be welcomed by the management and the squad!