Kilcullen Juniors 2015The juniors made the short trip to Athgarvan last night in the first round of the senior reserve championship and came away with a well-deserved 3-8 to 1-10 win over Ardclough.
There was a lot at stake in the opening round of the junior championship for both teams last night in Athgarvan. Kilcullen had something to prove after an indifferent league campaign while Ardclough were out to gain some revenge from a replay loss to Kilcullen in the quarter final of the 2014 Championship.
Ardclough made the best start putting two quick points on the board but those who have followed this Kilcullen team this year know that a slow start was not uncommon in many of the league matches that had gone before. Some early tactical changes were needed and after just five minutes Jack Dooley was switched onto Ardclough’s number 13 Dylan Burke who had proved a thorn in the Kilcullen side from the outset.
Kilcullen started to find their feet in the game mid-way through the opening half and trailing 1-4 to 1-2 at half time ‘the rags’ were probably happiest of both teams during the half time team talk.
The Kilcullen mentors made one switch at the break bringing in Tom Dixon at full forward but similar to the opening of the first half the game looked to be getting away from Kilcullen as Ardclough latched on the first three points on the second half to lead 1-7 to 1-2.
Again the Kilcullen sideline called on their bench to shake things up and the introduction of Robert Byrne was to prove the turning point in the game. Byrne came on in place of Joe Carey at corner forward but moved out to the middle to ‘mix things up’ with Ardlcough and open some space up inside for Dixon and the outstanding Dylan Kennedy.
Kilcullen were dealt an early blow also loosing influential midfielder Colm Byrne as the ‘speed machine’ got severely winded by some crunching tackles from Adrclough. Ben Phelan switched to the middle from his half back position and the 17 year old proved his versatility once again by mixing it up with men twice his age.
Niall Folan came in for the injured Byrne and once again the strength in depth of the Kilcullen bench starting to reap reward.
Trailing by 5 points early in the second half the Kilcullen lads did what they had done so many times over the year, dug deep and won the second half. With Robert Byrne now ‘mixing it up’ in midfield Kilcullen starting to apply wave after wave of pressure with Dylan Kennedy and Tom Dixon causing all kinds of problems in the box for Ardclough.
Kennedy fisted in a beautiful goal mid-way through the half and the final substitution from Kilcullen, a like for like change with Tom Hennessy coming in for Dylan Aulsberry, with the young minor scoring 1-1 on his championship debut for Kilcullen.
Kennedy continued to blossom slotting over a series of frees off the ground and could have put the game beyond doubt as his run and shot grazed the post and flashed wide with a few minutes left on the clock.
The Rags were now leading 3-06 to 1-10 as Ardclough threw everything but the kitchen sink at Kilcullen but an outstanding performance from the defence held Ardclough scoreless for the remainder of the game and the delight was obvious for all to see when the final whistle was blown for a Kilcullen win.
There were some outstanding performances on the night with Jack Dooley, Stephen Willis and David McMahon showing the large crowd what they are capable of in defence. Ben Phelan put in some crunching tackles around the middle of the park while upfront both Tom Dixon and Dylan Kennedy proved too hot to handle for Ardclough.
The experience of players such as Paddy Maher, Keven O Brien, Niall Folan, Martin Murphy, Wayne Condron & Dwayne O Connor proved a great platform for the younger players to express themselves and in the end the strength of Kilcullen’s bench made all the difference as the Rags march forward in the championships.
A big credit must go to the large Kilcullen crowd who made the short trip to Athgarvan who cheered the lads on even when 5 points down.
Next match is Tuesday next 21st July in the second of the round robin championships matches. Castledermot are the opposition who handed the Rags a heavy defeat during the league campaign. Kilcullen will be without a few regulars in Athy but with a team spirit and depth of the squad who would bet against Kilcullen after their performance last night against Ardlcough.
Kilcullen: 1.Paddy Maher 2. Jack Dooley 3. Colm O Brien 4. Stephen Willis 5. David McMahon 6. Kevin O Brien 7. Ben Phelan 8. Colm Byrne (Niall Folan) 9. Dwayne O Connor 10. Dylan Aulsberry (Tom Hennessy) 11. Martin Murphy (Capt) 12. Wayne Condron 13. Joe Carey (Robert Byrne) 14. Colm Sheehan (Tom Dixon) 15 Dylan Kennedy. 19. Niall McCormack.
