Kilcullen Juniors 2015

It has certainly been a roller coaster ride this past week for Kilcullen’s juniors. Just 7 days ago a well-executed win over Ardclough had all but guaranteed the reserves their place in the quarter final of the championship. One week later a match in Athy against Castledermot was on the menu to ultimately decide the final group positions and the corresponding quarter final matches.

On the run up to the Castledermot game the rags had lost 6 of the 15 that started against Ardclough due to holidays and other commitments with most of the defence needing a transplant as a result. The ‘bat signal’ was put out during the week and in typical Kilcullen fashion the call was answered and a healthy panel of 19 made the short trip down the old R418 to Athy.

On the wide expanses of the beautifully manicured Athy pitch it was Castledermot who got off to the perfect start. 1-6 without reply left the rags shell-shocked. At such an early juncture in the game Castledermot looked like a team that could comfortably slot into the Senior A championship as full forward Patrick Whelan and midfielder Oisin

1 plays 8, 2 plays 7 etc. Bottom 2 eliminated.

Doherty ran riot.

At half time the game was effectively beyond the rags trailing 2-12 to just 0-02 but those who have followed this team throughout the year knew that this bunch of lads were never going to roll over and concede defeat without a real fight.

The forwards starting to make their mark with Joe Carey and Dylan Kennedy steadily growing into the game. Even after having two men sent off the Rags continued to flow and began to match Castledermot all over the pitch.

Paddy Maher in goal made some fine says which typified the mentality of the whole team in the second half and the introduction of Chris Howard, Niall McCormack, Chris McGlinchy and Luke Dowling off the bench brought a new impetus to the Kilcullen game.

Kennedy’s second half goal was probably one of the scores of the match as his football brain kicked into overdrive from a free kick. Goal was the only thing on his mind as he casually walked to the spot indicated by the referee about 20 metres out from goal. As soon as the referee blew the whistle, and camouflaged by two Castledermot players, the Kilcullen man had only goal on his mind and he rattled the top corner with a scorching shot.

Mid Week Bat Signal was Required

The rest of the team responded and with just 13 men brought the fight to Castledermot. Further points from Kennedy and Tom Dixon before the final whistle brought the final score to 2-19 to 1-08 with Kilcullen winning the second half 1-06 to 0-07.

It was a disappointing result none the less but once again the character of the Kilcullen juniors shone through especially in the second half. The Rags can now look forward to a quarter final match up against Kildangan in a repeat of the early season league clash in KIlcullen.

The Rags will hope to have most of their players back for that clash but will certainly need a better start to trouble Kildangan who are one of the favourites to lift the title. This bunch of lads will certainly be up for the challenge!

Kilcullen: 1. Paddy Maher 2.David McMahon 3. Niall Folan 4. Colm O Brien 5. Wayne Condron (Chris McGlinchy 58 mins) 6. Jason Lynch 7. Adam Noone 8. Colm Byrne 9. Dwayne O Connor 10. Joe Carey (Luke Dowling 50mins) 11. Martin Murphy (Capt) 12. Dylan Aulsberry (Niall McCormack 44mins) 13. Tom Dixon 14. Colm Sheehan (Chris Howard 45 mins) 15. Dylan Kennedy.